Former NFL players Zxavian Harris, Dae’Quan Wright and Blake Cotton have launched a lawsuit against the NCAA, demanding that they be allowed to use a fifth year of college eligibility to play for LSU in the 2026 season despite having already signed professional contracts.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is spearheading the conference’s legal push, asserting that the SEC can enforce its own regulations and that violations could result in fines and suspensions for coaches and universities.
The NCAA’s recent rule change extends eligibility to five full seasons, but the three athletes are being barred from doing so because their prior professional experience disqualifies them under current NCAA criteria, a dispute that has drawn the attention of roughly 450 litigants, with about 300 securing temporary eligibility and 150 being denied.
A temporary injunction issued by a federal judge currently blocks the NCAA from declaring the former pros ineligible, a move supported by the Power Four conferences and allowing the athletes to continue pursuing their college careers while the case proceeds.
Legal Battle Over Eligibility
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill have intervened, criticizing the injunction and accusing the NCAA of implementing unfair rule changes that disadvantage former professionals seeking to return to college football.
Former LSU coach Lane Kiffin has been actively recruiting the trio, with Wright having practiced with the program after the deadline for eligibility under the existing rules, highlighting the tension between the SEC’s enforcement ambitions and the athletes’ desire to compete.
Potential Penalties and Consequences
The SEC has warned that its proposed sanctions could include substantial fines, up to a half‑season suspension for coaching staff, and the loss of voting privileges for member universities, underscoring the high stakes of the legal showdown.
The outcome of the case could reshape how the NCAA interprets eligibility for athletes with professional experience, potentially setting a precedent that influences future negotiations between conferences, governing bodies and the courts, while also affecting the competitive landscape of college football across the nation.