Tight end Dae’Quan Wright just made history, becoming the very first active player to jump from an NFL training camp straight into the NCAA transfer portal, and it’s stirred up a massive controversy across the league. This isn’t the kind of record you want your name attached to, especially when guys like former NFL running back Damien Harris are calling your move “embarrassing” and “elementary.”
From NFL Training Camp to College Court: What Just Happened?
Wright, a former Ole Miss player, went undrafted this year but quickly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before landing on the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He participated in training camp and even dressed for a preseason game, although he was sidelined due to an apparent injury. Then, on August 24, Cleveland waived him. But instead of chasing another NFL shot, Wright apparently has an agreement in place with LSU if he clears waivers. If this goes through, he would be the first ex-NFL player *ever* to go back and play college football. It’s an unprecedented jump, and it’s got everyone talking, especially about the precedent it sets.
Damien Harris Blasts the Play as ‘Bush League’
Two-time CFB national champion and former NFL running back Damien Harris didn’t mince words about the 22-year-old’s decision. “This isn’t the type of history that you want to be making. And to be honest, I’m going to be very candid, I think this is embarrassing,” Harris told CBS Sports. He went even further, explaining why this move is so problematic: “To go through an NFL training camp, go through the process of being selected or being signed as an undrafted free agent, going through the preseason, playing preseason football, playing NFL football and then returning to college and taking up a roster spot from somebody who is deserving of their time there, I think that this is very elementary.” Harris also didn’t hold back, calling the entire situation “bush league.”
The New Rules and What This Means For Future Talent
Wright’s situation is complicated by a new NCAA rule that gives most Division I athletes five years of eligibility over five years. However, this rule, only two months old, doesn’t officially take effect until next season and didn’t include Wright. That’s why he, along with a group of other athletes, filed a lawsuit in Louisiana and secured a temporary restraining order to allow him to return for one more year of college ball. Harris points to this as a clear example of how much control players now have in college football, saying, “I know that there… are a lot of different things going on in college football to where the players have the control and they’re doing exactly what they want with it and this is an exact example of that.”
This move by Wright, and the lawsuit behind it, has massive implications, not just for college but for the pros. Harris, putting on his hypothetical GM hat, said this kind of decision would impact how he’d evaluate future talent. “If I’m an NFL GM and I’m looking at guys like this who could potentially be coming out next year, these aren’t guys I want to draft, because I don’t know how competitive they are. I don’t know how much they love football. I don’t know how hard they’re willing to work in order to prove themselves on a football team and earn their spot. I can’t guarantee that a guy like this is a guy I’d build a program around.” It’s clear the NFL is watching, and this unprecedented jump is setting a precedent GMs might not like. Wright’s journey back to college ball after an NFL stint is just beginning, and you can bet the league will be paying close attention to every play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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