Louisiana State University announced Tuesday that its football team has reached the full 105‑man roster for the upcoming season, choosing to leave out two former professional hopefuls who had been the subject of recent lawsuits.
Roster decisions amid legal challenges
The Tigers added cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford to complete the squad, according to multiple media reports. The two spots that might have gone to tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris were instead filled by the new players.
Wright and Harris had each spent time in NFL training camps this year. Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, later joining the Cleveland Browns before being released in late August. Harris signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before being waived in early August. Both athletes sought an additional year of NCAA eligibility after leaving college for a chance at a professional career.
Injunctions and SEC lawsuit
Last week, a district court in East Baton Rouge Parish granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocked the SEC and the NCAA from enforcing rules that would have barred the 42 athletes, including Wright and Harris, from returning to college competition. The injunction was based on the NCAA’s new five‑year eligibility system.
The SEC responded by filing a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent LSU from rostering the former pros. The conference also scheduled a meeting for Thursday to vote on whether to expel LSU from the league over the matter.
Potential for future additions
When LSU submitted its roster ahead of the season opener against Clemson, the list included 103 players, leaving open the possibility that Wright and Harris could be added later, provided they remained enrolled at the university. As of Tuesday, the Tigers chose not to pursue that option.
Season outlook
LSU opened the season with a dominant 51‑10 victory over Clemson, amassing 644 total yards to Clemson’s 145. The win helped the Tigers climb from No. 11 to No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 poll released on Tuesday.
Both Wright and Harris played for current head coach Lane Kiffin during his tenure at Ole Miss last season, adding a personal connection to the ongoing eligibility debate.
What this means for LSU fans
By filling the roster with home‑grown talent, LSU demonstrates confidence in its recruiting pipeline and coaching staff while navigating a complex legal landscape. The decision also underscores the university’s commitment to complying with conference and NCAA regulations, even as the broader eligibility issue continues to unfold across college sports.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
