LSU has opted not to add former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its roster for the upcoming season opener against Clemson, despite a recent legal victory. The decision was reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday, the deadline for LSU to make roster additions for Week 1.
Wright, a tight end who previously spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, and Harris, a defensive lineman who was with the New Orleans Saints, were among over 40 athletes who sued for a fifth year of college eligibility. On Thursday night, East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction in their favor, deeming them eligible to play.
However, they were not included on LSU’s finalized roster of 103 players for the game at Tiger Stadium. Thamel noted that the players, who are enrolled at LSU, could potentially be added to the team later in the season. Neither player appeared in any preseason action.
Conference Opposition
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) had previously filed a lawsuit against LSU, its athletic director Verge Ausberry, and head coach Lane Kiffin, alleging a "deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes." Following the injunction, the SEC stated its disagreement with the ruling, emphasizing that its member universities agreed not to place former professional athletes on their rosters. The conference asserted its right to establish rules through agreed-upon governance procedures.
Clemson also notified LSU that allowing the former NFL players to participate could violate "contractual obligations between the two parties," though Clemson did not pursue legal action and intended to proceed with the game. Other major conferences, including the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, have joined the SEC in seeking to ban former NFL players from college football. The Big 12 has gone further, proposing a ban on all professional athletes across all sports.
Both Wright and Harris previously played under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Kiffin is coaching his first game with LSU on Saturday. It remains uncertain if they will play for him again at the college level.