Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter is weighing legal steps to reclaim the sizable buyouts owed by two former Rebels who have already committed to LSU.
Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper signed revenue‑sharing contracts that bound them to the university before they entered the transfer portal, and both now owe the school significant sums as they prepare to join the Tigers.
The legal landscape of college‑sport buyouts
Carter has indicated that suing LSU on behalf of the players is one of several options under consideration, a move that would join a growing list of athletic departments seeking judicial recourse to enforce contractual obligations.
The situation reflects a broader shift in how programs are handling the financial fallout of high‑profile transfers, with several schools already filing lawsuits to recover liquidated damages or rev‑share payments.
Cincinnati, for example, is currently engaged in a $1 million lawsuit with former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, while Florida Atlantic University has sued four ex‑players to recoup tens of thousands of dollars in damages. Duke and Oregon have also been named in similar actions, underscoring a nationwide trend.
The disputes involve not only the athletes but also the institutions they leave behind, as athletic directors argue that the transfer ecosystem is increasingly driven by financial incentives rather than pure competition.
If Ole Miss proceeds with litigation, it could set a precedent that influences future transfer agreements and the enforcement mechanisms colleges use to protect their fiscal interests.