The NFL just dropped a bombshell memo on all teams this month: defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright, guys who got cut earlier this summer and then tried to join LSU, are straight up not eligible to play in the NFL this season. Period.
Dae’Quan Wright’s LSU Stunt Blew Up His Pro Dreams
Man, this is a mess, and according to The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones, Wright is in the deeper hole here. Apparently, Wright actually practiced with LSU before both the NCAA and NFL slammed the door shut on his eligibility. LSU’s own head coach, Lane Kiffin, even confirmed back in late August that Wright had joined his team for practice. Think about that: he put in the work, maybe thought he had a shot, and now it’s reportedly actively hurting any future claims he might make. This dude was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, then got claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns before they cut him in August. ESPN even called him the first player ever to have an agreement to go back to college after signing as an undrafted NFL free agent. Talk about trying to rewrite the playbook and getting burned.
Zxavian Harris’s Delay Puts Him Ahead of the Game, For Now
Zxavian Harris, on the other hand, is reportedly “in the better position of the two,” Jones says. Harris, who got cut by the New Orleans Saints later in August, also confirmed his plans for a fifth college season at LSU. The only reason his LSU practice debut was delayed? A foot injury he picked up, he told reporters in early September. That injury, ironically, might have kept him from making the same mistake as Wright. Both these guys are caught up in a huge legal battle about the NCAA’s fifth year of eligibility, specifically excluding players who graduated last spring. It’s a confusing, frustrating situation for any player trying to find a path.
So what’s next for these two? Stuck between a rock and a hard place with the NCAA and NFL saying no dice. Front Office Sports did throw out a lifeline though, reporting that both Harris and Wright are eligible to join the UFL next season. Not the NFL, not college football this year, but at least there’s another shot out there. This whole situation just shows how wild the path can be for these guys when eligibility rules get murky.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply