Louisiana State University's first-year coach Lane Kiffin is embracing a new talent acquisition strategy: bringing in players with NFL experience. This approach has drawn criticism, with rivals deeming it "morally wrong," but Kiffin defends his decisions as being in the best interest of his players and the team.
Dae'Quan Wright, a former tight end for the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, participated in a practice walkthrough with the 11th-ranked Tigers on Monday. The eligibility of Wright and other players who have spent time with NFL clubs, such as defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and defensive back Blake Cotton, remains uncertain due to ongoing litigation. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) recently enacted a rule barring professional players from returning to college leagues, but a Texas judge has placed it on hold.
Kiffin, who coached Wright at Mississippi last season, stated his decisions are guided by what benefits his players and not by external perceptions. He suggested that if college players are compensated at professional levels, college teams should feel empowered to make roster additions similarly to how NFL teams operate. Kiffin also consulted with LSU team leaders, who were reportedly in favor of welcoming recent professionals back if they could help the team win.
"This is how it works at the next level," Kiffin said. "This is how the real world works." He acknowledged that Wright, having joined LSU for practice, would not be eligible to play against Clemson due to the NCAA's seven-day acclimatization protocol.
The situation is complicated by numerous lawsuits filed by athletes seeking additional eligibility. Nearly 400 athletes have sued the NCAA and other entities, challenging the organization's 5-in-5 rule, which excludes members of the high school Class of 2022. These legal challenges have prompted major college athletic conferences to ban players who have signed professional contracts from returning to college, leading to further legal filings.
University presidents within the SEC have expressed significant frustration with LSU following a Louisiana judge's decision to include the conference in a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Baton Rouge. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who previously worked with Kiffin, echoed these sentiments, stating that the practice of taking players from NFL rosters over those who have been with a college team for months is "morally wrong."
Kiffin emphasized that LSU has not violated any conference rules and will await further guidance from the courts before finalizing rosters. He expressed familiarity with operating in a chaotic environment, referencing his tenure at Ole Miss. New artwork in LSU's Football Operations Center, featuring the phrase "If you want to win at the highest level, you have to become a villain in someone else's story," appears to embrace this controversial identity.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum described Kiffin as a "puppeteer and entertainer" who thrives in such situations. The issue extends beyond football, as evidenced by a recent court ruling allowing former St. John's basketball star R.J. Luis Jr. to join LSU's basketball program despite having briefly been under contract with NBA teams.
Kiffin also noted that if LSU does not sign these newly eligible players, other teams will. The Big Ten has outlined penalties for violating its similar rule, including coach suspension and school fines, while the SEC's penalties have not yet been specified. Other Power Four conferences are expected to discuss the issue soon.
Wake Forest athletic director John Currie expressed concern about the impact on existing college students and graduating high school players. The leagues and the NCAA are advocating for the Protect College Sports Act, a Senate bill aimed at providing the NCAA with legal protections, but it is weeks away from a vote. As college football season begins, coaches express uncertainty about the governance of the sport amidst these ongoing disputes.