Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright has reached an agreement to return to college football and play for LSU in the 2026 season, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move follows Wright’s brief stint with the Cleveland Browns, where he participated in NFL preseason activities before being waived.
Wright, who played under LSU head coach Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss from 2022 to 2023, accumulated 66 receptions, 1,029 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns during his two seasons with the Rebels. His return to college football marks the latest instance of an NFL player leveraging a loophole in NCAA eligibility rules to resume their collegiate career.
The Cleveland Browns confirmed Wright’s waiver process on social media, stating he had cleared waivers and was free to pursue other opportunities. Browns head coach Todd Monken humorously referenced a recent call from Kiffin amid the waiver announcement, saying, “Man, ain’t this [expletive] crazy? … I wonder why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now, I know. I didn’t call back; I guess I should have.”
Wright did not see significant playing time during his time with the Browns, as he was sidelined by injuries throughout the preseason. His reported agreement with LSU comes amid broader debates over the NCAA’s temporary restraining order, which allows certain players to regain college eligibility after NFL participation.
The NCAA’s eligibility ruling, issued on August 20, grants a fifth year of eligibility to players from the 2022 recruiting class, including Wright and former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn. The order permits these athletes to enter the transfer portal despite having signed NFL contracts or participated in training camps. Wright’s case is believed to be the first instance of a player returning to college after NFL preseason activity.
The development has reignited discussions about fairness in college football, with coaches like Oregon’s Dan Lanning criticizing the rule. Lanning argued that players who leave for the NFL should not be permitted to return, stating, “Once you go to the NFL, to me, you’re in the NFL. You don’t get the opportunity to come back.” He also highlighted roster limitations, noting that bringing back a player would require displacing another athlete.
The NCAA’s eligibility loophole remains a contentious issue, with legal challenges ongoing. The Tenth Circuit’s recent stay on the ruling has not resolved the broader disputes, as additional lawsuits from the 2022 class of athletes are expected to proceed. The situation underscores the evolving tensions between college and professional football amid shifting eligibility regulations.