LSU finalized its 105-player roster for the 2026 season without adding former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. Head coach Lane Kiffin made the definitive decision on Tuesday, as a high-stakes federal lawsuit from the Southeastern Conference loomed over the program.
The drama that dominated college football’s opening weeks came to a quiet close on Tuesday night when LSU head coach Lane Kiffin filled his final roster spots. Rather than welcoming former professional athletes Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, the Tigers added sophomore cornerback Aidan Anding and junior defensive end Gabriel Reliford to reach the 105-player limit for the campaign.
The decision resolves weeks of legal wrangling and intense public scrutiny over whether the Southeastern Conference would follow through on threats to penalize or expel member institutions for rostering former professional players. While a Louisiana judge had previously cleared the path for Wright and Harris to return to college athletics under a new eligibility policy, the mounting pressure from conference leadership ultimately forced a retreat.
Federal Lawsuit and SEC Pressure Force Kiffin’s Hand
The roster cutoff arrived directly in the shadow of a federal showdown. The SEC filed a lawsuit against LSU and its athletic leadership in a U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Alabama, accusing the university of a lack of institutional control. The legal action followed an explosive 12-hour hearing in Baton Rouge where conference commissioner Greg Sankey testified.
“The SEC and its member universities have the right to establish, through agreed-upon governance procedures, the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed. A commitment to those rules, and to the core principles of the Southeastern Conference, is an essential element of SEC membership.”
Southeastern Conference, Official Statement
The amended complaint filed by the league explicitly pointed out Kiffin’s public comments, including a halftime quip during LSU’s blowout win. By leaving Wright, who was waived by the Cleveland Browns, and Harris, who was waived by the New Orleans Saints, off the official squad list, the program avoided an immediate collision course with the conference office.
Lane Kiffin Explains the Decision After Clemson Win
Speaking to reporters early Sunday morning following LSU’s commanding 51-10 victory over Clemson, Kiffin acknowledged the heavy criticism he faced while navigating the eligibility battle. The head coach noted that his relationship with Wright, which dates back to their time together at Ole Miss, made the situation particularly difficult.
“That wasn’t easy, as much as I feel for the players. And I believe that you fight for what you believe in. And I believe these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters.”
LSU Adds Dae’Quan Wright: Lane Kiffin’s NFL Transfer Strategy, SEC Rules & 2026 Roster
Lane Kiffin, Head Coach at LSU, via CBS Sports
Kiffin emphasized that while he felt strongly about fighting for the athletes’ eligibility, the broader institutional risks ultimately dictated his final call. He cited the uncertainties surrounding what penalties might be levied against the university if the players took the field.
“At the same time, I’m the head coach of LSU, and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program — with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster. We couldn’t get exact reasons or… what that would mean if we added them, so with that, I made the decision which is in the best interests of the team and the university.”
Broader College Football Fallout and Unresolved Legal Questions
The controversy stems from a Louisiana judge granting a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to more than 30 former college athletes. These players argued that the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility window should allow them to return to the collegiate game after participating in NFL training camps or preseason rosters.
Photo: cbssports.com
Other programs have experienced similar complications.
While LSU’s roster is locked for the remainder of the campaign, the legal battles in federal court are far from finished. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama has yet to rule on the SEC’s motion for a temporary restraining order, leaving the long-term boundaries of conference governance and player eligibility wide open as the Tigers prepare to host Louisiana Tech.
LSU's Lane Kiffin's chess move: Sits Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris | No NEED for Pro Players
