BATON ROUGE, La. — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced Thursday that it will no longer consider expelling Louisiana State University (LSU) from the league. The decision follows LSU President Wade Rousse’s confirmation that the university will adhere to the conference’s roster‑size limits.
Background to the dispute
The controversy began when two former NFL players, Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, sought to return to college football after an NCAA ruling declared them eligible. A Baton Rouge judge upheld their eligibility, despite the SEC’s objections that the players would push LSU’s roster beyond the conference‑approved limit of 105 athletes.
SEC chancellors and university presidents were scheduled to meet Thursday, and LSU’s possible expulsion was on the agenda. After Rousse’s assurance that LSU would trim its roster to meet the limit, the conference removed the expulsion discussion from the meeting’s agenda.
LSU’s roster adjustment
LSU has now finalized a 105‑player roster that excludes both Wright and Harris. The university’s compliance satisfies the SEC’s requirement that each member school maintain a roster within the agreed‑upon cap.
Attorneys representing the two athletes said they are reviewing their legal options following the roster decision, though no further action has been announced at this time.
Impact on the SEC and LSU community
Supporters on the LSU campus expressed relief that the Tigers remain in the SEC, emphasizing the importance of the conference’s Saturday night games at Tiger Stadium. Alumni Frank Duffy remarked, “They’re not kicking LSU out of the SEC; we are the SEC. They don’t want to lose Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium.” Student Cohen Thibodeaux added, “If you ask anybody that’s a fan of the SEC, what’s one of the best environments you’ve been in for SEC football, they say the Death Valley.”
The SEC still plans to hold its Thursday meeting to discuss other league matters, but the expulsion issue will not be revisited.
Next steps
A related hearing that was set to take place in Alabama has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
The resolution of this roster dispute underscores the SEC’s willingness to work with member institutions to enforce league policies while preserving the competitive integrity of college football in the South.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
