Judge Rules LSU Can Field Former NFL Players
The SEC sued LSU, head coach Lane Kiffin, LSU President Wade Rousse, and Athletic Director Verge Ausberry in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on Wednesday. The suit seeks an injunction preventing LSU from rostering players with professional experience.
- 2 players are at issue: defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae'Quan Wright, both former Ole Miss players.
- Both players signed with NFL teams — the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints — before being cut.
- On Aug. 25, SEC presidents and athletics directors unanimously adopted a policy banning players with professional experience.
- Potential penalties under the SEC policy include fines up to 50% of a school's annual budget and suspended voting rights.
Why it matters: The SEC and a Louisiana court are giving conflicting signals on what LSU can do — and LSU's roster must be finalized before Saturday's game against Clemson.
- A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order on Aug. 19 allowing athletes who completed four eligibility seasons to return under the NCAA's new five-for-five rule.
- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr separately urged SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to pursue expulsion of LSU if it fields any player who held an NFL contract.
How 20 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether a state court's eligibility ruling can override a conference's right to set its own membership rules and bar schools from associating with conduct it deems contrary to its mission.
Center coverage, 9 sources: The center focuses on the legal and structural conflict — a conference policy colliding with a state court order — and the practical stakes for LSU's season.
USA Today2hSEC statement after losing LSU hearing: Expects schools to follow rules
Heavy3hLSU Lands Massive Court Victory in Unprecedented Former NFL Player FightPenPennLive4hDae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris react to judge’s NCAA ruling, explain LSU plans
Newsweek5hSEC's Greg Sankey has harsh message for NFL players returning to college
Associated Press11hFor the second time this summer, a power conference has gone to court against one of its schools
ESPN10hSEC files suit vs. LSU over its intent to play pros
Reuters10hSEC sues LSU to block use of former NFL players
The Hill11hSoutheastern Conference sues LSU, Lane KiffinWAWSB-TV Atlanta11hSEC sues LSU, Lane Kiffin over ex-NFL players controversyLeft coverage, 3 sources: The left frames this as a conference protecting competitive integrity against one coach's aggressive exploitation of a new eligibility loophole.
Right coverage, 8 sources: The right emphasizes the boldness of Kiffin's move and the escalating political pressure, including a state attorney general threatening maximum punishment.
Daily Mail4hLouisiana judge gives LSU green light to bring NFL players back to college football in shock ruling
Fox News4hJudge grants injunction against NCAA, SEC, allowing athletes with NFL ties eligible to play for LSU, others
New York Post3hJudge allows NFL players to return to LSU in bombshell decision
Breitbart News8hSEC Files Lawsuit Against LSU, Lane Kiffin Amid Push to Recruit Former NFL Players
Just the News8hSoutheastern Conference sues LSU over its efforts to recruit former NFL players
PJ Media18hThe SEC Has Found a Controversy That 'Just Means More,' and Naturally It Involves Lane Kiffin
The Washington Times9hSEC sues LSU, alleging coordinated push to recruit ex-pro athletes in defiance of rules
The Western Journal16hSEC Sues LSU and Lane Kiffin for 'Violating the Conference's First Amendment Rights'What’s next: A Baton Rouge judge must decide whether the temporary restraining order stays in place pending trial.
- Congress's Save College Sports Act is unlikely to pass in September after the House canceled its final two session weeks.
- Will a federal court or the Louisiana state court have the final say before Saturday's kickoff?
- Could the rest of the SEC vote to expel LSU, and would that itself end up in court?
- How many other schools or players could be affected by the NCAA's five-for-five rule if this pathway is upheld?