‘There’s Got to Be Some Integrity’: Eric Morris Weighs In on NFL Players Returning to College Football

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STILLWATER — College football coaches have spent the past 24 hours commenting on whether players cut from NFL rosters should be allowed to return to college football.

​On Tuesday, Oklahoma State Eric Morris made his position clear.

​“It’s just one of those things, like, what are we doing right now?” Morris said. “It’s just one more thing we’re putting on the list that, quite frankly. We don’t have time to deal with and figure out what the rules are and what’s going on.

​“It’s just, I mean, at some point, you know, I think there’s got to be some integrity in this game. There has been forever that goes along with sports in general and playing these. And we taught this from the youth sports up. Like, I mean, if a guy’s competing for a professional job right now in the sport, he should have left college in the back mirror at that point.”

All of this took center stage following news that tight end Dae’Quan Wright had an agreement in place to play for LSU if the Cleveland Browns cut him before the start of the 2026 season. He has since been cut, so assuming no other NFL teams pick him up on waivers, he will be back in college football … maybe.

On Tuesday morning, Yahoo Sports Reporter Ross Dellenger reported that the Power Conferences, including the Big 12, are considering rules at the conference level that would effectively ban pro players from returning to college athletics at their schools.

SEC presidents are expected to direct ADs against accepting pro players – under threat of penalty. Per bylaws, Greg Sankey and/or presidents hold authority to deem a player ineligible, fine/suspend coaches, etc.

Will they?

“This is Sankey’s ‘Sorsby Moment,’” says one person.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 25, 2026

The ongoing mess is only possible because of yet another court order pending the NCAA decision to move to a five-for-five model.

“The judge found that these players should have been told and should have known that they were going to be eligible for a fifth year, which every player moving forward, every athlete in all sports has,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said to NOLA.com and others on Monday. “They should’ve known that in December when they were making decisions. Had they known that, they would’ve stayed (in college).”

Although Kiffin is likely to remain the focal point of the debate given he was the first known coach to have a publicized deal in place, others are considering bringing in other NFL almosts as well.

“If there are teams that have some players out there who are cut from NFL rosters that are gonna be on other teams, we have to at least consider it and look at it,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said to On3 and others on Monday. “Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not, but we gotta do what’s right for Ohio State.”

Some teams begin playing games as early as Saturday, but most teams will kick off the season next week on Saturday, Sept. 5, which is when the Cowboys open at Tulsa at 2:45 p.m.

It’s hard to imagine this issue will be settled by then, considering players will likely take legal action against conferences the same way they did against the NCAA. It does sound like Oklahoma State won’t have to worry about Week 2 opponent Oregon participating in the trend.

“One, once you go to the NFL, I mean, you’re in the NFL,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said to the Oregonian on Saturday. “You don’t get the opportunity to come back. … Most of us have built our rosters, and you have a limited roster limit now. So, if you invited somebody back to your team, that means you’re kicking somebody else off your team, right?

“I don’t think that’s fair to the players that worked all summer, all spring, and put themselves in position to be ready to work for a team.”