Court Orders NCAA and SEC to Allow Former Pros on LSU Roster
A big win for LSU in a legal battle just a day before the opening game of the football season.
Landmark Court Ruling Alters College Football Rules Impacting LSU Football
East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden has issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA and SEC. This clears the path for former NFL players and fifth-year athletes to go back and play on college teams. This decision now protects schools like LSU from facing conference penalties. It will also allow players who briefly turned pro to return to college football.
A New Era for Former Pros and LSU
This ruling is great news for Tiger fans. It means a couple of players will now be eligible to play a 5th year in college. This specifically will impact former NFL signees Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. Head coach Lane Kiffin is getting the Tigers ready for a big time opener on Saturday against Clemson. This ruling means LSU will not face sanctions from the SEC or the NCAA for using these players.
Why the SEC Sued LSU Over Player Rights
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey defended league restrictions during a lengthy hearing, arguing that clear boundaries must separate professional sports from collegiate competition. However, student-athletes testified that rigid eligibility caps unfairly limited their careers. They apparently convinced the judge to stop enforcement of those restrictions.
What This Ruling Means for LSU
This ruling directly impacts LSU in the Saturday game against Clemson at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Kiffin can now expand his roster with fifth-year transfers and former NFL signees.
Immediate Player Eligibility: Key transfers—including tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris (both former Ole Miss players who briefly signed with NFL teams)—are now legally cleared to suit up. Wright confirmed he expects to be added to the official roster before Friday's conference deadline and aims to play Saturday.
Shielding LSU from SEC Sanctions: The preliminary injunction specifically bars the SEC and NCAA from declaring these players ineligible or penalizing LSU, its coaching staff, or school administrators for putting them on the field against Clemson.
SEC teams must submit final rosters the day before kickoff and this gives LSU time to add these young men to the roster. But the SEC and NCAA are expected to appeal this court's ruling.