LSU head coach Lane Kiffin addressed his decision to leave former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off the Tigers' roster for their opening game against Clemson, stating that the choice was made in the best interest of the LSU football program.
A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA on Thursday, potentially paving the way for the players' eligibility. Despite this development, Wright and Harris were not included on the roster for the game against Clemson, a decision that surprised many.
Kiffin spoke about the choice during an appearance on College GameDay, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. "That wasn't easy, as much as I feel for the players," Kiffin said. "And I believe that you fight for what you believe in. And I believe these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters."
However, Kiffin emphasized his role as head coach. "But at the same time, I'm the head coach of LSU, and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program – with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster," he explained. "We couldn't get exact reasons or... what that would mean if we added them, so with that, I made the decision which is the best interests of the team and the university."
Both Wright and Harris are enrolled at LSU, and their eligibility remains a subject of ongoing legal action. The SEC is planning an appeal of the Louisiana ruling and is also awaiting a decision on a federal lawsuit it filed seeking to compel LSU to adhere to its rules barring professional athletes.
Regarding the lawsuit filed by the conference, Kiffin commented on College GameDay, responding to host Pat McAfee. "I've really appreciated our friendship, and this week, your guidance with me," Kiffin said. "Between you and I, we're about the two most hated people there are. You told me, 'Hey, just focus on it; don’t worry about the noise. A lot of times, to do great things, you’re going to be hated.'"
Under a rule recently invalidated by the Louisiana court, the SEC could have imposed sanctions on Kiffin and LSU, including suspending the coach or fining the university a significant portion of its football budget, if Wright and Harris had been placed on the roster. The current legal challenge stems from a new NCAA rule granting five seasons of eligibility to players who began college in 2023. Wright, Harris, and other members of the Class of 2022 have filed lawsuits arguing for similar eligibility.
An embedded argument within these cases concerns whether former professional athletes who participated in tryouts for NFL, NBA, or WNBA teams should be permitted to return to college play. The SEC stated in a release after Thursday's ruling, "The SEC´s presidents and chancellors unanimously adopted a clear and reasonable standard: Member universities should not place former professional athletes on their rosters."
LSU issued its own statement Friday, indicating it was reviewing the court's order and would "continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward." The university also noted the need for clarity in eligibility standards within college football and referenced a Senate bill aimed at resolving such ambiguities.
Dae'Quan Wright was with the Cleveland Browns in preseason before clearing waivers. Zxavian Harris previously suited up for the New Orleans Saints in NFL preseason.
