It appears LSU is ending its pursuit of adding two players with recent NFL ties to its football roster as the Tigers face the threat of being expelled from the SEC.
Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris received preliminary injunctions Thursday allowing them to play for LSU.
The Tigers initially left two spots open on their 105-man roster Friday, presumably giving the school the option of adding Wright and Harris later this season.
But that plan appears to have changed.
With the SEC lawsuit against LSU still pending, the Tigers filled those two roster spots Tuesday night by adding injured cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford. Neither player is expected to play this season, but their additions give LSU a full 105-man roster.
The SEC is suing LSU to prevent the Tigers from adding Wright and Harris, arguing the conference has a legal right to prevent athletes from playing in their league that had signed contracts with NFL teams. A federal judge in Alabama has scheduled a hearing on the matter Wednesday afternoon.
It remains unclear whether LSU’s decision to not add Wright and Harris to its roster will affect the SEC’s lawsuit, which alleges the effort to bring NFL-connected players to LSU was part of a coordinated strategy led by head coach Lane Kiffin.
The legal battle also comes as SEC presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet Thursday. A vote to expel LSU from the conference could potentially take place during that meeting.
Eleven of the SEC’s 16 members would have to vote in favor of expulsion.
During a speaking event in Ascension Parish, U.S. Senator John Kennedy offered his colorful assessment of the situation.
“I’ve got rocks in my driveway that are smarter than that,” Kennedy said. “They’re not going to throw LSU out of the SEC. Congress will be on them like a hobo on a ham sandwich.”
For now, LSU appears to be backing away from adding Wright and Harris, potentially bringing an end to the latest chapter in the unusual dispute over whether players who briefly spent time on NFL rosters can return to college football.
But this ordeal has been strange so nothing is certain.
