So when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday night that if Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright cleared waivers he planned to sign with Kiffin and LSU thanks to an NCAA eligibility loophole that’s allowing a handful of players to go back to college and continue playing despite them having been under contract with an NFL team this offseason, it had many people riled up. Kiffin was roasted on social media for dipping into the NFL well just weeks before LSU’s season opener. In addition to Wright, LSU is also signing former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who like Wright, also played for Kiffin last year at Ole Miss.
While the moves may be somewhat controversial, Kiffin defended himself to reporters on Monday. So, ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them. We made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are.” To Kiffin’s point, if he doesn’t sign any of the players suddenly now eligible for the 2026 season, other teams will.
And if he were to sit idly by and watch those players sign with SEC opponents, those same fans giving him flack now would likely be calling him out for not trying to gain a competitive edge. Kiffin also acknowledged that he doesn’t believe that every player not making an NFL roster should be allowed to return to college and his feelings on the current situation are because of the extraordinary circumstances. I believe — and it doesn’t necessarily matter what I believe — that answer would be no.
I think every circumstance should be looked at differently. This is a very unique circumstance. They should have known that in December when they were making decisions.
Had they known that, they would have stayed.”
Extract — continue reading at the source.
