LSU has not added former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to its official roster for the season opener against Clemson, according to multiple reports. The decision leaves the Tigers with two available roster spots as the SEC prepares to pursue legal action against the program.
LSU’s move follows a state court injunction that temporarily granted eligibility to the players, who had NFL training camp experience with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively. The SEC filed a federal lawsuit in Alabama on Thursday seeking to block their participation, escalating a legal dispute over eligibility rules.
The Tigers submitted their roster to the SEC on Friday with 103 players, two short of the maximum allowed. Wright and Harris remain enrolled at LSU and could be added later in the season, though the timing and circumstances of such a move remain uncertain amid ongoing litigation.
SEC’s legal challenge targets LSU, Kiffin, and school leadership
The Southeastern Conference filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on Thursday, naming LSU, head coach Lane Kiffin, athletic director Robert Vowinkel, and president Wade Rousse as defendants. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the state court injunction and prevent the players from competing.
In a statement, LSU President Wade Rousse said the university would comply with the judicial process while working with the SEC and NCAA to resolve the ambiguity. “College football does not deserve this kind of ambiguity in eligibility standards,” Rousse said.
Potential penalties remain unclear under SEC rules
The SEC has previously indicated that coaches could face suspensions of up to half a season, while schools risk fines of up to half their operating budget for the sport if violations occur. However, the league’s ability to enforce these penalties is in question following the state court’s injunction and the ongoing federal lawsuit.
The dispute stems from the NCAA’s "five-for-five" eligibility rule, which allows athletes five years to play five seasons of college sports. Wright and Harris, who signed NFL contracts before returning to college, were among several athletes granted temporary eligibility protections by the Louisiana court ruling.
LSU retains flexibility but faces legal uncertainty
While LSU has not added the players to its active roster, the university retains the option to enroll them later in the season. The SEC’s federal lawsuit aims to resolve the matter before any further roster adjustments, but no immediate ruling is expected before the Tigers’ next game.
For now, the program remains in a holding pattern, balancing compliance with the legal and competitive implications of the eligibility dispute.