The wild saga of LSU’s attempt to add former NFL players to their roster has officially closed with a definitive “no” from the Tigers themselves, making sure Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris won’t be suiting up this season.
The Battle Against SEC Rules Took a Turn
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and the Tigers had been pushing hard for weeks to bring in multiple players who’d already signed NFL contracts and spent time with pro teams this preseason. We’re talking about at least three guys, including former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. The problem? This move flew directly in the face of two big SEC rules. First, the conference strictly prohibits players from entering after signing a professional contract. Second, there are tight restrictions on intraconference transfers outside of the designated portal window. It was a clear violation, and the looming threat of expulsion from the SEC was very real.
A Judge Opened the Door, But LSU Slammed It Shut
Just last week, on Thursday, a Baton Rouge judge tossed a huge curveball into the mix. Judge William Jorden issued an order that prevented both the NCAA and SEC from enforcing their restrictions on eligibility, transfer portal rules, and even professional players trying to return to college. The judge actually approved a preliminary injunction that would have kept the NCAA and SEC from punishing any school fielding these former pros! That ruling felt like it cleared the path for Wright and Harris to potentially play in LSU’s game against Clemson on Saturday. But guess what? LSU still opted against adding them for that game, leaving two open spots out of their 105-player roster by only fielding 103.
Now, the final word is in. According to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, LSU has made its definitive decision. They’ve added two additional players to their roster, filling it completely to 105. That means the door is slammed shut for Wright and Harris this season. Thamel posted it on X, writing, “NEWS: LSU football is adding two players to the school’s roster, which will complete it at 105 players, per ESPN sources. This will lock LSU’s roster for the rest of the year, which will eliminate the program’s ability to add Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris.” So yeah, this whole wild ride is finally over.
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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