LSU just snagged a massive legal win, securing a preliminary injunction against the NCAA on Thursday evening that lets them add two former NFL preseason players, Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, to their roster. But don’t pop the champagne just yet, Tigers fans, because this courtroom victory might be the opening shot in a war that could absolutely torpedo a national title contender.
The Battle Lines Are Drawn: Kiffin vs. The Conference
The Louisiana judge ruled in LSU’s favor, allowing them to sign Harris, a defensive tackle, and Wright, a tight end, despite both having signed NFL contracts and played in preseason. It’s a bold move, even for Lane Kiffin, who never shies away from controversy. But the SEC is not having it. They passed a rule in August specifically banning players who inked professional deals, including undrafted free agent contracts like those Harris and Wright had, from returning to college. Now, multiple attorneys general are jumping into the fray to defend the SEC’s stance. Georgia AG Chris Carr even went so far as to encourage the conference to explore punishments as severe as “expulsion” from the SEC. Think about that: expulsion. Right now, the injunction is holding off the SEC from enforcing their rule, but that could change fast if the federal case goes sideways for LSU. Rostering these players could lead to devastating penalties for Kiffin and LSU, including a multi-game suspension for the coach and major fines for the program. Talk about high stakes!
A Precedent That Should Chill the Bayou
Kiffin, however, “won’t budge.” He’s determined to have these guys on the field. But there’s a chilling precedent here that LSU should be looking at hard. Remember Texas Tech? They faced a similar mess in the Big 12 after quarterback Brendan Sorsby was legally reinstated by a local judge, even after gambling on his own games. The Big 12, though, flexed its muscle and threatened to ban Texas Tech from the Big 12 title game if they played Sorsby. The pressure was so intense that Sorsby and Texas Tech mutually agreed for him to leave the roster. The risk of ruining a whole season for one player simply wasn’t worth it. Is Kiffin making that same mistake now?
LSU has already invested a ridiculous amount of money into their roster, signing the No. 1 transfer portal class in the nation. We’re talking headline guys like quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and safety Ty Benefield. Yeah, Wright and Harris are good, playing premium positions and knowing Kiffin’s system well. But the Tigers don’t even need them; tight end Trey’dez Green is already “arguably the bes.” This feels like a massive risk for what might be a marginal gain.
Clemson Is Coming, and the Stakes Are Sky-High
With less than 48 hours before their highly anticipated season opener against Clemson, this legal drama is front and center. LSU has a loaded national title contender on their hands. Is Kiffin’s aggressive push for Harris and Wright worth risking everything? We’ll find out if this fight continues to escalate, and what that means for their championship hopes. The legal battle is far from over, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
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.
Leave a Reply