LSU Leaves Former Professional Players Out of Opener Amid SEC Eligibility Dispute

A legal fight over college eligibility is already reshaping LSU's season, with two players waiting as conference rules face another courtroom test. Louisiana State University (LSU) left former professional players DeKwan Wright and Zxavian Harris off the roster for the first game of the new season. The team will open its campaign against Clemson without the two athletes. According to CNN The decision will likely help LSU avoid an immediate conflict with the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Last week, the conference barred its universities from adding former professional athletes to their rosters, but a Louisiana court temporarily suspended the restriction. Wright and Harris participated in NFL teams' training camps during the summer while maintaining that they remained LSU students. This could allow the university to add them to the roster later, following further legal proceedings. Eligibility dispute The legal dispute between LSU and the SEC is ongoing. The conference plans to appeal the Louisiana court's decision and is seeking a hearing on a federal lawsuit filed the previous day. In it, the SEC asks the court to require LSU to comply with the ban on former professional athletes competing. If Wright and Harris had been included on the university's roster, LSU could have faced the following sanctions: suspension of head coach Lane Kiffin; a fine equal to half of LSU's football budget; other disciplinary measures provided for under conference rules. The conflict arose after the NCAA introduced a new rule. It granted five-season eligibility to athletes who began college in 2023. Wright, Harris and dozens of other players who entered college in 2022 are seeking through the courts to have the same eligibility extended to them. The parties are also separately disputing whether athletes who went through the draft process for teams in the NFL, National Basketball Association (NBA) or Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) can return to college sports. LSU said it was reviewing the court order and would continue working with the SEC and NCAA. The organizer of the College Football Playoff has also voiced support for the conference's restrictions. LSU announced its decision several hours after Clemson general counsel Chip Hude sent a letter to a university representative. In it, he suggested that the athletes' eligibility could conflict with an agreement between the schools concerning the game. Despite this, Clemson plans to play. I would say it's just shameful. I don't blame the kids and the people who are trying to take advantage of the system. It's just shameful what college football has come to. – Dabo Swinney, Clemson head coach Thus, LSU chose not to escalate its confrontation with the SEC before the start of the season and left Wright and Harris off the roster. Their possible return to the team will depend on further court rulings and the resolution of eligibility rules for former professional players in college sports.