Lane Kiffin Sends Defiant Message Over LSU's Pursuit of NFL Rookies

Lane Kiffin explained why LSU is pursuing former NFL players and pushed back on criticism surrounding the controversial moves.

by Antonio G Losada

Aug 25, 2026

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day.

The LSU Tigers have already attacked the transfer market aggressively ahead of Lane Kiffin’s first season in Baton Rouge.

Kiffin has assembled the nation’s No. 1 portal class heading into the 2027 college football season while spending heavily to rebuild a roster that could only finish 7-6 last year.

That effort has continued unusually late into preseason camp, with former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris — both of whom spent this summer with NFL teams after declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft — set to join LSU after court rulings opened a path toward another college season, even though that ruling is now on pause.

Asked Monday why LSU would continue recruiting players who had already reached the professional ranks, Kiffin offered a simple explanation.

LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin looks on prior to a college football game.

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

“Why are we recruiting them? Because we may end up playing against them, that’s the way I look at it,” Kiffin said. “And I don’t think I’m unique. I think these kids are being recruited by a lot of coaches around the country.”

Wright was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Monday after previously spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Per ESPN, Wright’s agents indicated Adam Schefter he plans to join LSU if he clears NFL waivers.

Harris, meanwhile, spent the summer with the New Orleans Saints before being waived and, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, he’s close to joining the Tigers.

“At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you, or they’re going to play somewhere else around the country,” Kiffin said. “So we’ve made the decision to recruit them like probably most people are.”

The potential arrivals of Wright and Harris have generated significant backlash because both had signed professional contracts, even though they never appeared in a preseason game with their respective NFL teams.

Regarding the addition of Wright, an additional hurdle remains for LSU to land him as SEC rules restrict certain intraconference transfers. Kiffin declined to address Wright’s specific eligibility situation.

Whether LSU ends up with Wright or not, the Tigers already have the best transfer class this year as they gear up for their season debut against Clemson on Sept. 5.