Dae’Quan Wright, a tight end who last appeared on an NFL roster with the Cleveland Browns, was released in August 2024 and quickly picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. Though his time in the league was brief, the move set the stage for a surprising next chapter.
If he clears waivers and meets the NCAA’s eligibility criteria, Wright will join the LSU Tigers for the 2026 season, reuniting with Lane Kiffin, the coach who first mentored him at Ole Miss. The prospect of a former NFL player returning to college football has sparked considerable buzz across the SEC.
A Reunion with Historical Implications
Wright’s college résumé includes two seasons at Virginia Tech before he transferred to Ole Miss, where he earned second‑team All‑SEC honors in 2025. In that year he recorded 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns, adding to a career that features 113 catches, 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns over 47 games.
The path back to campus has been anything but ordinary. A Louisiana court’s recent ruling against the NCAA’s long‑standing eligibility restrictions cleared a legal hurdle that had kept many players from making the jump from professional to collegiate play. Wright’s entry into the transfer portal was directly tied to that decision.
His potential return marks the first known case of a player transitioning from an NFL roster to college football, a move that could reshape how eligibility rules are interpreted. For LSU, the addition of Wright provides depth at tight end and a narrative that aligns with Coach Kiffin’s vision for the program.