Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright has reached an agreement to play for LSU in 2026 after being waived by the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This 22-year-old competitor stands to become the initial athlete contracted by an NFL franchise to return and participate at the collegiate level.
Eligibility Loopholes and the Louisiana Court Ruling
Wright’s unprecedented return to college football is made possible by a temporary restraining order issued by a Louisiana court. According to ESPN, Wright was one of 16 football players included in a broader lawsuit involving 33 athletes across multiple sports seeking a fifth year of eligibility. On July 31, a federal court in Denver ruled that all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted their fourth season of college eligibility this spring are eligible for a fifth season this academic year, bypassing a waiting period established by a recent NCAA rule change.
Tim Buckley, NCAA senior vice president of external affairs, issued a statement condemning the judicial decisions. “Courts across the country granting relief to ineligible athletes who already had every opportunity to compete in college — sometimes without even having a hearing — are failing to appreciate the destabilizing effect their rulings are having on college sports,” Buckley said. He added that the litigation risks turning college athletics into a fallback option for professional athletes at the expense of incoming participants.
From the NFL Draft Back to the SEC
Wright’s path back to the SEC involves multiple stops across the professional football landscape. After playing the 2025 season at Ole Miss—where he recorded 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns in 15 appearances—he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April, according to ESPN, before being waived and claimed by the Cleveland Browns in August. Cleveland was outfitted with Wright for two preseason games across the past fortnight, though he failed to secure a single catch, as noted by RotoBaller.
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken expressed bewilderment regarding the fluid legal landscape and its impact on his roster. When asked about Wright’s situation, Monken remarked, “Man, ain’t this (expletive) crazy? I mean, I don’t even know what to say.” Monken also revealed that LSU head coach Lane Kiffin had contacted him recently regarding the player. “I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago, now I know … I didn’t call him back, guess I should’ve.” At LSU, Wright joins a tight end room featuring Trey’Dez Green, a second-team All-SEC selection in 2025.
Other Players Potentially Following Wright
While Wright may be the first to try and make his way back to a college football program this year, he may not be the last. According to ESPN, several other professional players granted restraining orders could soon find themselves back on college campuses instead of training camps. That group includes former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson of the Seattle Seahawks, former Florida and LSU pass rusher Jack Pyburn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and another ex-Mississippi starter in Wydett Williams of the Arizona Cardinals.
Did you know? Dae’Quan Wright played two seasons at Virginia Tech before joining the Rebels under Kiffin and catching 66 passes for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns in 28 games across two seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dae’Quan Wright?
Dae’Quan Wright is a 22-year-old tight end who played college football at Virginia Tech and Ole Miss before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April, later joining the Cleveland Browns and agreeing to play for LSU.
Why are NFL players allowed to return to college football?
A federal court in Louisiana granted a temporary restraining order to a group of athletes maintaining their fifth year of NCAA eligibility, overriding traditional NCAA rules that restrict players who have signed professional contracts.
What did Todd Monken say about the situation?
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken expressed confusion over the roster disruption during a press conference, noting that LSU coach Lane Kiffin had reached out to him prior to the waiver news.
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