A Louisiana judge has allowed two former NFL players to return to LSU, a decision that drew an immediate lawsuit from the Southeastern Conference and an announced appeal. East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction Thursday allowing Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to play for the NCAA.
The ruling comes as the SEC filed a lawsuit against LSU, its athletic director Verge Ausberry, and head coach Lane Kiffin. The conference alleges the school engaged in a "deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes" and is violating conference rules.
The SEC is seeking to prevent the defendants from continuing conduct that the conference believes is contrary to its mission, which is to maintain a distinction between professional and college sports. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has stated that the conference believes a clear line must be drawn between professional and college athletics. The Big Ten and ACC have already moved to ban former NFL players from competing in their conferences, while the Big 12 plans to prohibit all professional athletes from participating in any sport.
Wright and Harris are among more than 40 athletes across various sports who are suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Wright, who previously played for Ole Miss under Kiffin before spending time with the Browns and Eagles this summer, is expected to join LSU's roster and potentially play in the team's season opener. Harris, a defensive lineman who was with the Saints, also intends to join the LSU team this season. LSU has until Friday to finalize its roster.
Kiffin addressed the recruitment of players with prior NFL experience in late August, explaining that multiple injunctions around the country have enabled such players to become eligible. He stated that LSU, like many other institutions, is recruiting these athletes because they are available through court rulings and would otherwise play elsewhere.