Lane Kiffin isn’t apologizing for adding one or more NFL players to LSU’s roster this fall.
Dae’Quan Wright, an NFL tight end who has spent time on the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles’ roster this summer, is expected to land with the LSU Tigers ahead of the 2026 season.
The NFL tight end likely won’t be the last professional player to sign with a college football program. And while he’s yet to officially sign with LSU, the Tigers’ head coach is defending his signing, along with more from the NFL.
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images.
Kiffin spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon, confirming that he’s not apologizing for signing NFL players to LSU’s roster.
If those players are made eligible, he’s going to sign them if he has interest.
Kiffin won’t apologize for signing NFL players
Kiffin made it clear that he won’t be apologizing for it.
“Through (players) winning injunctions and entry into the portal, they are available to recruit. Ourselves and many places around the country are recruiting them,” he said to reporters at his press conference on Monday.
“Because of the rulings, they are going to play for you or someone else. We made the decision to recruit them. It’s wrong to be critical of these kids. They were granted a fifth year and a judge said they were wronged.”
Kiffin is in Year 1 at LSU and, clearly, he’s going to do whatever he can to bring out the best of the Tigers roster.
If that means looking into signing former NFL players, that’s what Kiffin is going to do.
LSU is scheduled to open the year on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Clemson.
