LSU left former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off its official roster ahead of a September 5, 2026 season opener against Clemson, following a federal lawsuit from the SEC and a late legal battle over player eligibility under new NCAA rules.
The high-stakes offseason battle over player eligibility reached a temporary holding pattern on the eve of kickoff. LSU submitted a 103-player roster for its game against Clemson at Tiger Stadium, leaving two open spots while choosing not to dress tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive end Zxavian Harris, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Thamel noted that both players could potentially be added later in the year, as they’re enrolled at the school. Thamel reported during ESPN’s College GameDay
that they will not play tonight.
Thamel added, Key detail: LSU submitted a roster of 103 players. There is room for two. Both of those guys are booked in school, so there is potential they can be added down the road.
The Legal Battle Over Fifth-Year Eligibility
The roster omission follows a swift sequence of legal maneuvering in federal and state courts. Wright and Harris were among players who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in the state of Louisiana this week, fighting for additional eligibility. On Thursday evening, a Baton Rouge judge ruled in favor of the two former NFL players, issuing a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in their eligibility case that paved the way for players such as Wright and Harris to suit up in college for a fifth year after spending time in NFL training camps. After the ruling, Wright told reporters he planned to be ready to play against Clemson and said he had practiced with LSU for the past two days.
Both players previously played for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss for the last two seasons. More recently, however, both players were on NFL rosters. Wright went undrafted during the 2026 NFL Draft. In early May, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, who released him on August 10. But a day later, he was added to the Cleveland Browns’ roster, before being waived on August 24. Wright reached an agreement with LSU for the 2026 season after clearing waivers upon his exit from the Cleveland Browns. Harris was also not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, attending the NFL Scouting Combine in March before undergoing foot surgery. He was a UDFA signing with the New Orleans Saints on May 1 and was with the team until the Saints waived him on August 8. Harris committed to the Tigers after he was waived by the New Orleans Saints. Despite the favorable ruling allowing them to play, LSU’s leadership opted to keep them on the sideline for the Saturday matchup.
SEC Retaliation Threats and Institutional Friction
The hesitation from Baton Rouge also stems from immense pressure originating within the Southeastern Conference. The SEC and the Atlantic Coast Conference were among several conferences that recently implemented rules to prevent players that previously declared for the NFL draft and did not withdraw consistent with NCAA requirements or signed a contract with an NFL team or another professional league from returning to play in college. The SEC filed a lawsuit against LSU in federal court in Birmingham on Thursday.
Conference leadership previously established severe penalties for any member school attempting to roster former professionals. About 10 days ago in Birmingham, SEC presidents passed new penalties that would include a half-season suspension, in this case, for Lane Kiffin, a fine of more than $20 million, and voting rights would be revoked if Greg Sankey, who appeared to testify, would have the autonomy to hand out any punishment he sees fit. Furthermore, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a brief email to LSU’s general counsel in which he brought up certain eligibility
issues that may break contractual obligations between the two parties.
The Clemson letter suggested the eligibility issue could conflict with the contract between the two schools to play Saturday’s game, though Clemson still planned to play.
Lane Kiffin Defends Roster Strategy Amid Heavy Criticism
Lane Kiffin is working to establish his imprint at LSU, with the Tigers emerging as a primary destination for former collegiate players to make a return, and the situation surrounding Dae’Quan Wright serves as the latest example. Kiffin and the LSU Tigers landed commitments from a pair of fifth-year seniors via the NCAA Transfer Portal, with Notre Dame EDGE Junior Tuihalamaka becoming the first player to make his move to join the Bayou Bengals for the 2026 season, followed by Wright 48 hours later. Wright is believed to be the first player who could play for an NFL team and then return to college football after signing an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent.
This unconventional transition has drawn significant criticism and debate across the college football community, with social media going into a frenzy surrounding the move. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Cleveland Browns were waiving Wright. According to his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln, the tight end agreed to terms to join LSU if he clears waivers. The College Football Playoff also came out in support of the rules barring former professional players from the college game.
What Lies Ahead in Federal Court
As Thamel noted regarding the legal standing, LSU is not part of the lawsuit filed by the players. Whether they are protected legally from SEC penalties is the fundamental question here no one quite has their arm around. It appears likely the Tigers will await the outcome of that hearing before seeking to add Wright and Harris to their roster, as the stage has de-escalated a bit but the drama continues while both players remain enrolled at the school.
