LSU added two of Kiffin’s former Ole Miss players in tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who were recently released by the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively, after a Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) allowing several NFL rookies the opportunity to return for a fifth year of college eligibility. However, the SEC is considering adopting a Big Ten rule that would prohibit any former NFL players from playing for its league, meaning Wright and Harris may not be allowed to play in the SEC. Furthermore, if Kiffin were to defy the potential new conference rule, he and LSU could be punished heavily by the SEC.
"College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference," the league said in a 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. "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.
College sports are for college athletes. The current confusion around national eligibility standards emphasizes the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act." It’s not known if Kiffin plans to challenge any potential rule changes the SEC implements, though one would assume he wouldn’t risk being ineligible to play for the SEC Championship or a national championship over two players he didn’t plan on having on his roster last month. However, Kiffin made it known during an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that he’s growing frustrated with conferences not allowing returning players to play in their leagues.
And we’re going to say that these kids that the courts said can go anywhere, we’re going to say no, you can’t.’ That’s some issues there. You can’t decide, ‘Hey, I like that injunction, I don’t like that one, that player I kind of like, and I like the way that they got him eligible, so we’re going to follow those rules, not these.’ It really doesn’t work that way.”
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