Judge William Jorden considers eligibility rules for former pros in SEC

East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden is scheduled to rule Thursday night on a temporary injunction concerning the NCAA and SEC policies on former professional athletes returning to college. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey testified for two hours in Baton Rouge, defending the league’s authority to maintain a distinction between professional and college athletics. During the proceedings, the SEC filed a separate federal lawsuit against LSU, alleging the university conducted an organized campaign to recruit professional players. Former athletes Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright testified they would have remained in college longer had they known about potential eligibility options. With season-openers approaching Saturday, the SEC has mandated that member schools submit their final 2026 rosters by Friday. The ruling follows arguments that the conference potentially colluded with the NCAA to penalize student-athletes who signed contracts with major professional leagues.

• 1:30 AMYahoo Sports — Here’s when judge will rule on SEC vs. LSU temporary injunction