Debate Over Former NFL Players Joining LSU Ends

The debate over college football teams adding former NFL players has concluded, for the moment. The LSU Tigers have decided against adding Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to their roster. Instead, they allocated the final two spots to Aiden Anding and Gabriel Reliford, as reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN.

Wright, a past player for the Cleveland Browns, and Harris, a former New Orleans Saint, were at the center of the conversation. The issue drew significant attention and involved notable threats. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) sought approval from a federal court to potentially remove LSU from the conference if they pursued this course of action. This subject is anticipated to be discussed further at a meeting of member schools on Thursday, according to Justin Williams, Seth Emerson, and Matt Baker of The Athletic.

In its statement, the SEC emphasized its commitment to self-governance among its member institutions. The SEC declared its role in protecting the rules established through agreed procedures. They stated, “The SEC and its member universities have the right to establish the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed. A commitment to those rules, and to the core principles of the Southeastern Conference, is essential.” The filing aimed to support this governance and ensure competitive fairness among members.

With head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU stepping back from the decision to add former NFL players, the upcoming Thursday meeting might not lead to significant new actions. Yet, the SEC’s solid stance served as a warning. It demonstrated what repercussions LSU might face if they deviate from expected standards, as highlighted by reporters from The Athletic.

The conference’s firm reaction underscores the seriousness with which the SEC handles its ability to enforce regulations. It also reveals the tension LSU and Kiffin have stirred with this controversy.