Louisiana State University has finalized its 2026 football roster, removing former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris despite a Louisiana court injunction that temporarily permits them to compete. The decision came after the Southeastern Conference warned that allowing former professionals to take the field would violate its eligibility rules and could trigger expulsion or other sanctions.
The SEC filed a lawsuit in Alabama, alleging that LSU’s athletic department lacks sufficient institutional control, a claim that could jeopardize the university’s standing in the conference and set a precedent for future roster compliance.
Coach Lane Kiffin explained his rationale, emphasizing that the program’s long‑term stability and the uncertainty surrounding the litigation outweighed the immediate opportunity for Wright and Harris to contribute on the field.
To fill the vacated spots, LSU added Aidan Anding and Gabriel Reliford, reinforcing a roster that now stands at the conference‑mandated 85 scholarship limit while the legal dispute continues.
The episode is part of a broader pattern in college football, where several programs have attempted to re‑integrate former professional athletes, only to encounter NCAA restrictions and legal hurdles; Texas’s recent effort to sign Cole Hutson ended unsuccessfully.
The SEC’s complaint underscores the conference’s concern that inconsistent enforcement of eligibility rules could erode competitive balance, a point that Kiffin referenced in a halftime remark that drew criticism from the conference’s legal team.
As the lawsuit proceeds, LSU faces the prospect of severe penalties, including possible expulsion, while the SEC continues to assert that its rules are essential to preserving the integrity of collegiate competition.