Judge Allows Former NFL Players to Join LSU Football Team
A judge in Louisiana has ruled that former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris can join the LSU football team, despite their recent participation in NFL training camps. This decision, made on Thursday night, follows a preliminary injunction that prevents the NCAA from penalizing schools for fielding these athletes.
The ruling comes after several conferences, including the SEC, indicated they would impose sanctions on schools using players who had been in NFL camps or signed professional contracts. Wright and Harris were part of a group of 40 athletes who sought legal action in Louisiana and Texas to maintain their college eligibility after signing pro contracts.
The NCAA altered its eligibility rules in June, allowing athletes to play all five years within a five-year span, which has led to a unique situation where some players with professional experience are now eligible to return to college football. LSU's first-year coach Lane Kiffin, who previously coached both players at Ole Miss, is navigating this controversial landscape. The SEC has filed a lawsuit against Kiffin and LSU to block the players' participation, but a ruling on that case is still pending. LSU is expected to finalize its roster for the upcoming season opener against Clemson soon, with both Wright and Harris likely to be included.
