Less than an hour into the blockbuster preliminary injunction hearing in Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court, the Southeastern Conference filed a federal lawsuit against LSU. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, also names LSU President Wade Rousse, Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and football coach Lane Kiffin as defendants.
In its complaint, the conference argues that LSU is violating its First Amendment rights by recruiting current and former NFL players and compelling the SEC to violate its own rules. Member university presidents unanimously approved bylaws to prohibit teams from rostering former professional football and basketball players and enforce severe punishments on those who do.
“Defendants waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes to play football for LSU during the 2026-27 season,” the lawsuit reads.
The players the conference is referring to are former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, as well as former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, who is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Wright and Harris both committed to LSU after being waived by NFL teams this summer following a temporary restraining order granted by Baton Rouge Judge William Jorden that allowed them to temporarily return for a fifth season of eligibility.
The ongoing lawsuit was amended to also name the SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey as defendants along with the NCAA after the conference’s passage of its pro player prohibition. The SEC has complied with the TRO, but the new federal lawsuit seeks another guard against the return of former NFL players, which it sees as harmful to the conference.
Attorney General Liz Murrill told reporters that the SEC should not be allowed to circumvent a ruling against the NCAA with its own rules while entering the courthouse Thursday morning.
“I think that they’re operating in concert with one another, and that’s improper,” Murrill said. “That’s why the judge allowed them to be added to this case.”
