The NCAA Division I Cabinet is considering significant changes to student-athlete eligibility rules that would affect both professional draft participation and transfer portal violations.

One proposed rule change would prohibit athletes who have entered and remained in a professional sports draft from returning to compete in college athletics. The proposal is currently under review by the NCAA Division I Cabinet, though specific implementation timelines have not been announced.

Separately, the NCAA approved new penalties Wednesday targeting programs that sign players outside the official transfer portal window. These violations, often referred to as 'ghost' transfers, involve recruiting players who have not properly entered the transfer portal system.

The new transfer portal penalties represent what officials describe as sweeping measures designed to ensure compliance with established recruiting windows. However, coaches and attorneys throughout college sports have expressed skepticism about whether these rules will be consistently enforced.

Both proposed changes reflect the NCAA's ongoing efforts to regulate player movement and eligibility amid the evolving landscape of college athletics. The draft-related proposal would mark a significant shift in how the organization handles athletes who test professional waters before potentially returning to college competition.

The NCAA has not provided detailed information about potential exceptions or appeals processes for either set of rule changes.