Dae’Quan Wright, a former Mississippi tight end, is potentially heading to No. 11 LSU, thanks to a court order that’s creating serious chaos across college sports. This wild ruling could allow Wright and other players an unexpected fifth year of eligibility, completely shaking up the established order. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, dropped the news Monday that Wright was waived by the Cleveland Browns. If he clears waivers, he’s set to join Lane Kiffin’s roster, and that’s a massive deal.
The NFL to College Pipeline? Are You Kidding Me?!
Can you even imagine? If Wright joins the Tigers, he’d be the first known player to ever return to college after playing in the NFL. And honestly, he might not be the last. Kiffin played it cool at a news conference, not naming specific players, but he didn’t hold back on the broader situation. He flat out said the players involved in the lawsuit “are available to recruit.” You bet he’s recruiting them, along with “many places around the country.” Kiffin made it clear, ignoring these guys could mean “we may end up playing against them,” which is a whole new level of competitive fire. Wright’s journey has been a whirlwind, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie, getting released on August 11, then signing with the Browns. He didn’t even get snaps in Cleveland’s two preseason games. He previously balled out for Kiffin at Ole Miss for two seasons, snagging 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns just last year.
The Legal Eagle’s Mess and the SEC’s Fury
So, what’s actually behind this bombshell? Wright was part of a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, arguing a new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility should cover them too. These guys graduated high school in 2022 and weren’t “grandfathered” into the rule. It’s a huge loophole. Last week, Wright, along with former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and Arizona Cardinals safety Wydett Williams , both of whom played for Kiffin at Ole Miss , plus former LSU and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jack Pyburn, were all granted a temporary restraining order. These guys can actually get their college eligibility back, but there’s a catch: they gotta terminate their pro contracts and repay any professional earnings. Pyburn’s deal with the Bucs alone had $115,000 guaranteed, including a $15,000 signing bonus. That’s real money, man! Pyburn summed it up, saying he’s “just trying to maximize myself as a player and as a person and play my best football, wherever that is.”
The Southeastern Conference is, as you’d expect, absolutely fuming. In a statement released Monday evening, the SEC vehemently opposed professional athletes returning to college sports. They stated, “College athletes, not professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference.” They’re worried this move will “blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.” They’re even calling on Congress to pass a bill regulating college sports. The SEC also has its own rule about intra-conference transfers outside of a January window, and Commissioner Greg Sankey already sent a reminder to schools about it. But get this: the judge in Louisiana not only allowed the fifth year but also ordered the football transfer portal to reopen for a week just for the players in this lawsuit. This whole situation is wild, and it’s far from over. A preliminary injunction hearing is set for August 31 in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Get ready, because that hearing is going to be massive for the future of college football.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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