The LSU Tigers‘ aggressive pursuit of NFL rookies Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris has quickly grown into a conference-wide issue.
On Monday, the SEC publicly outlined its position on players returning to college after signing professional contracts, such as Wright and Harris are bound to do if they end up completing their transfers to LSU ahead of the 2027 college football season.
Following a video conference involving the league’s presidents and chancellors on Monday, the SEC released a formal statement opposing the practice, even as a Louisiana court granted temporary restraining orders that restored a fifth year of eligibility for several members of the 2022 recruiting class — Wright and Harris among them.
“College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference,” the SEC said in its statement. “Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition.”
Added the SEC: “Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.”
The statement arrived as LSU appears poised to add Wright, recently waived by the Cleveland Browns, and Harris, who spent the offseason with the New Orleans Saints before being released.
Both are former Ole Miss standouts who went undrafted and signed offseason deals with NFL franchises. Neither of them, however, appeared in a preseason game with their respective teams.
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The SEC also used the moment to renew its support for federal legislation.
“College sports are for college athletes,” the statement reads. “The current confusion around national eligibility standards emphasizes the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act.”
Wright’s case could become particularly significant because, according to the Associated Press, he would become the first known player to return to college after spending time on an NFL roster if he ultimately joins LSU.
The SEC statement comes just days before the 2026 season begins, with LSU kicking its campaign off on Sept. 5 against the Clemson Tigers.
