Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is absolutely tearing into the SEC right now, straight up calling their new eligibility policy “a legal mess.” This isn’t just some offhand comment either; it’s a full-blown statement defending LSU as a potential legal battle brews because the SEC is trying to block LSU from signing two football players who were just involved in NFL preseason activities.
The Eligibility Flip-Flop That’s Got Everyone Fuming
Landry didn’t mince words, declaring, “This whole thing is ridiculous. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” His frustration is clear: the SEC told athletes their college careers were over, then seemingly changed the rules, and now they’re trying to punish players for not predicting the future. “You can’t tell athletes their college careers are over, watch them move on, change the rules later, and then punish them for not predicting the future,” Landry argued. This whole mess started this summer when the NCAA implemented a new age-based eligibility policy. It offered players five seasons but specifically excluded 2022 enrollees who had already completed four years. Naturally, a bunch of those players sued for a fifth year. Last week, a Louisiana judge actually ruled that several of these players *could* return to college football, even after signing NFL contracts and participating in preseason activities. LSU, seeing an opportunity, then announced they would sign two of those players: Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. But then came the counter-punch: on Tuesday, the SEC tried to block LSU by implementing a new policy preventing professional athletes from returning to any SEC school. Talk about a quick turnaround!
Landry’s Deep Ties to LSU Football and What’s Next
This isn’t the first time Gov. Landry has gotten himself involved in the Tigers’ athletic department. It is, however, the first time he’s publicly commented on the SEC’s attempt to block these specific player signings. His influence runs deep: last fall, he hosted a meeting that ultimately led to the firing of former LSU football coach Brian Kelly. He also effectively forced out former athletic director Scott Woodward and gave his blessing to Lane Kiffin’s $91 million contract when the Tigers landed him. The governor even hand-picked current LSU president Wade Rousse, who reportedly voted *for* the SEC’s new policy on Tuesday but then abstained from voting on Wednesday regarding the harsh penalties the conference suggested. Landry hasn’t said if he advised Rousse directly on the matter. Despite all this drama, Wright’s representative, Darren Heitner, still believes LSU intends to sign his client. Plus, the attorneys leading the original lawsuit are planning more action to make sure that temporary restraining order applies to the SEC, not just the NCAA. The college sports world is holding its breath waiting on LSU’s next move, especially since other conferences, like the Big 12, are already discussing and passing similar policies.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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