In Baton Rouge, LSU football officials are preparing for a possible first in college‑football history. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright could enroll at LSU and suit up this season after spending a week in an NFL training camp with the Cleveland Browns. The move hinges on a temporary restraining order issued by 19th Judicial District Court Judge Will Jorden, which opened a narrow transfer portal for athletes affected by recent lawsuits against the NCAA.
Legal backdrop
Last month, a group of athletes from the 2022 recruiting class filed a lawsuit in Louisiana challenging the NCAA’s blanket waiver that allowed them to transfer freely between schools. Judge Jorden’s order created a one‑week window during which schools could add protected athletes without fear of NCAA sanctions. The order also prevents conferences from penalizing a school that signs a player covered by the temporary order.
At the same time, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado granted a stay in the Wisne v. NCAA case, halting the nationwide waiver but leaving the door open for additional state‑level actions. One such action was filed just a few miles from LSU’s campus, setting the stage for the current situation.
Lane Kiffin’s interest
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin reportedly reached out to Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken last week. Monken said he was surprised by the call and did not return it, noting that Wright had dressed for the Browns’ preseason game but did not play. Kiffin’s outreach suggests LSU is prepared to add Wright to its roster if the legal window remains open.
Under existing SEC rules, athletes cannot transfer to another SEC school outside the normal portal period. However, there is no explicit rule barring a player from moving from an SEC program to the NFL and then returning to a different SEC program within the same calendar year. The court order effectively shields LSU from any NCAA or conference penalties for signing Wright.
Potential ripple effects
The situation could also affect other LSU players. Edge rusher Jack Pyburn, who left LSU for the NFL, might consider a return to Baton Rouge under the same legal framework. Additionally, the controversy highlights broader concerns about the NCAA’s transfer policies and the balance of power between athletes, schools, and governing bodies.
Critics, including Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, argue that allowing former NFL players back onto college rosters could displace current student‑athletes and strain roster limits. Lanning warned that inviting a player back would require cutting another player to stay within scholarship caps, a move he deems unfair to those who have worked all summer to earn their spots.
What’s next for Wright?
All eyes are on Baton Rouge this week. If LSU registers Wright before the temporary order expires, he would become the first player to transition from the NFL back to college football under the current legal landscape. The outcome will likely influence future NCAA litigation and could prompt legislative action, such as the stalled “Protect College Sports Act” currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate.
For now, LSU’s athletic department, led by President Wade Rousse and Athletic Director Verne Ausberry, appears ready to move forward, pending the final interpretation of the court’s order. The coming days will determine whether the NCAA’s longstanding transfer rules will be tested once more, and whether Dae’Quan Wright will make history on the LSU field.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
