The Southeastern Conference has filed a lawsuit against LSU and new head football coach Lane Kiffin over the program's plan to play returning NFL players.
The legal action follows LSU reaching agreements late last month with two high profile former Ole Miss players, defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae'Quan Wright. Both athletes had signed with NFL teams this year.
The SEC is now moving to block these players from returning to college football. The lawsuit names LSU president Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry and Kiffin as defendants.
According to court documents viewed by the Daily Mail, the SEC has asked the court to "enter a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from violating the Conference's First Amendment rights by compelling the Conference to associate with conduct that is contrary to the Conference's purpose and mission."
The filing was first reported by On3.
Coordinated campaign
"Defendants waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes to play football for LSU during the 2026-27 season, including players who had signed NFL contracts with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers," the SEC stated in its complaint.
The lawsuit comes as a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Baton Rouge.
East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden scheduled the Thursday hearing to address the status of his earlier temporary injunction. That injunction prevents the NCAA from ruling recent former professionals or fifth-year college athletes ineligible.
The Power Four conferences adopted formal rules last week taking a similar stance against allowing former professionals to play.
Judge Jorden is expected to rule on whether the temporary restraining order will remain in place until a trial date is set. The current order allows players who have been on NFL rosters to return to college football.
SEC Commissioner Sankey is expected to testify at the hearing and defend the conference's right to enforce its own protocols.
Jorden also requested that the NCAA explain why it should not be held in contempt after the power conferences established potential punishments for member schools that place former NFL or NBA athletes on their football or basketball rosters.
If the judge grants the injunction, both Harris and Wright would be legally permitted to play for LSU.
NFL preseason athletes
Former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton was also among the players in question. Cotton, who played at Utah last fall, is hoping to join LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin.
Harris had signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before he was waived last month. The defensive back, who also played at Ole Miss last season, has committed to LSU.
Wright was also on an NFL roster this year. He cleared waivers last week after being cut by the Cleveland Browns.
Wright started practicing with LSU this week. This was too late for him to be eligible for Saturday's home opener against Clemson, due to the NCAA requirement of seven days of practice.
The Tigers will open their 2026 season on Saturday night in a top-25 matchup against Clemson.
Under SEC rules, team rosters must be finalized and submitted to the league office 24 hours before kickoff.
Conference rules
The lawsuit on Thursday is the latest move in the SEC's effort to combat the return of professional players. The conference announced last week that it would not permit players who have been on NFL rosters to return to the league.
"Following meetings with the presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC will enforce the following policy," a statement from the conference read.
"An SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has:
1. Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA Draft, and did not appropriately withdraw.
2. Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or
3. Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster."
The statement added that the commissioner "is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions."
Earlier in the day, the Big Ten announced the same decision regarding professional players.
"The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday the unanimous adoption of a conference rule to prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution," the Big Ten stated.
"The conference continues to evaluate potential rules restricting professional athletes in other sports from conference competition."
Kiffin defends recruiting
When reports first broke that Wright and Harris were set to officially sign, Kiffin defended the program's decision to recruit fifth-year players.
"We have, you know, made a decision to recruit some kids around the country, and through these multiple injunctions around the country, which, this is not a first time in college sports, players were granted a fifth year of eligibility in multiple sports," the coach said.
"And through them winning their injunction and entry into the portal, they're available to recruit. So ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them."
"At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you or they're going to play somewhere else around the country," Kiffin said. "We made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are."
