LSU left tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris off the team’s official roster ahead of its season-opening game against Clemson, according to Bleacher Report. The decision came before the Friday midnight deadline, keeping the former professional players off the field for the matchup, as reported by Cleveland.com.
LSU Leaves Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris Off Opening Roster
The roster exclusion follows a complex legal battle involving eligibility rules for players who spent time in NFL training camps. On Thursday, a Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, paving the way for athletes like Wright and Harris to pursue a fifth year of college eligibility after spending time with NFL organizations, according to Bleacher Report. Wright reached an agreement with LSU for the season after clearing waivers following his exit from the Cleveland Browns, while Harris committed to the Tigers after being waived by the New Orleans Saints.
SEC Rules, Federal Lawsuits, and Pressure From Clemson
The Southeastern Conference recently implemented rules prohibiting member schools from rostering former professional players who declared for the NFL draft or signed professional contracts. Under the SEC policy, violations could trigger severe sanctions, including a half-season suspension for the head coach, a 50 percent fine of the sport’s operating budget, and restrictions on conference voting rights, according to Cleveland.com. Additionally, the SEC filed a lawsuit against LSU in a U.S. District Court in Alabama, alleging the school violated the conference’s rights by ignoring the new restrictions.
Pressure also mounted from opponents. Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a brief email to LSU’s general counsel raising eligibility concerns that could impact contractual obligations between the two schools for the game, as detailed by Bleacher Report. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney addressed the situation publicly, calling the state of college athletics “embarrassing” in remarks reported by Fox Sports.
Lane Kiffin Explains the Decision
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin addressed the roster omission on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” explaining that he had to weigh the players’ legal opportunities against the broader interests of the university. Yeah, that wasn’t easy,
Kiffin said on ESPN, as cited by Cleveland.com. I feel for the players. I believe 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.
Kiffin added that he ultimately had to evaluate the uncertainties surrounding potential penalties before finalizing the team list. LSU submitted a roster featuring 103 players, leaving two spots open, according to Fox Sports.
Future Status and Ongoing Litigation
Despite missing the season opener, both Wright and Harris remain enrolled at LSU, leaving open the possibility that they could be added to the roster later in the year as legal proceedings continue, according to Bleacher Report. Legal actions involving the NCAA, the SEC, and participating athletes remain active across multiple courts.