Are LSU's pros allowed to play? Updated news on Lane Kiffin's roster for Week 1 vs. Clemson

Are LSU's pros allowed to play? Updated news on Lane Kiffin's roster for Week 1 vs. Clemson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When it comes to LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, nothing can truly be without drama. The Tigers are preparing to kick off against Clemson on Sept. 5, but there was a major question about whether two of his players, defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae'Quan Wright, would be able to suit up and play at all this season.

Both players were on NFL rosters just last month, and Kiffin's decision to sign them set off a firestorm between LSU and the SEC. On Thursday, just two days before LSU is set to kick off, the SEC filed a federal lawsuit naming Kiffin and LSU as defendants in an effort to prevent the Tigers from rostering former NFL players.

Now, a Louisiana judge has paved the way for the two former pros to make a controversial return to college football — and the Tigers made their official Week 1 roster decision on Friday, which Kiffin explained on "College GameDay."

Here's the latest on both players' renewed eligibility.

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Are LSU's pros allowed to play?

Since there are two ongoing legal battles ongoing, it remains unclear whether LSU's former professional players will suit up at some this season. But at the very least, they will not play in Week 1 — the Tigers left Wright and Harris off their roster against Clemson.

With both players enrolled at the school, there remains a chance they are added to the roster later on.

Sources: LSU has not added Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to the team’s roster for the Clemson game. They could potentially be added later in the year, as both are enrolled in school. LSU has 103 players on the roster submitted, and that leaves them two spots. pic.twitter.com/aLJ797WKhJ

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 5, 2026

On Aug. 19, a temporary restraining order stemming from a federal lawsuit in Louisiana granted Wright and Harris an additional year of eligibility.

An appeals hearing was held on that case on Thursday, and the judge sided with the players, giving them eligibility to play.

Players are granted additional eligibility.
The decision now rests with LSU on adding them to the roster. https://t.co/7mgqXTdgwz

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 4, 2026

The court has ruled in favor of the athletes! Again, they are not professional football players circling back after years in the NFL. They are college players who were told, by the NCAA, that they were done. So they took the only door that was open, only to watch the NCAA change…

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) September 4, 2026

As part of the ruling, neither the SEC nor the NCAA is allowed to punish the players from playing in a game.

Players are granted additional eligibility.
The decision now rests with LSU on adding them to the roster. https://t.co/7mgqXTdgwz

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 4, 2026

But that is not the only legal hurdle that is facing both players.

Also on Thursday, the SEC filed a lawsuit attempting to bar Wright and Harris from playing for LSU. The conference requested that the court “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 outcome of that case has not been settled, so at this point it's unclear if both guys will play in 2026.

At the very least, both Wright and Harris had reportedly been practicing with the Tigers in the days leading up to the Clemson game, though they were not listed on the roster upon LSU's deadline for Week 1.

Harris and Wright both played for Kiffin at Ole Miss last season. But just last month, both guys were on NFL rosters. Harris had signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 1 as an undrafted free agent, and was with the team until New Orleans waived him on Aug. 8.

Wright also went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. In early May, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles until Aug. 10, but he was picked up shortly thereafter by the Cleveland Browns.

Harris announced he was signing with LSU a few days after he initial TRO in Louisiana. Wright was released by the Browns on waivers on Aug. 24, and he returned to LSU. On Sept. 3, the same day LSU filed its lawsuit against the LSU, a judge was hearing an appeal of the initial TRO that granted Wright and Harris' eligibility.

The two former Ole Miss players, including over a dozen other college football players named plaintiffs in the suit, proceeded to enter the transfer portal. Although some other players spent brief stints or tried out with NFL teams, most of them had not formally signed with an NFL team. Kiffin also signed former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka, but he did not spend time with any NFL team.

The SEC teams give 24 hours notice of full rosters before each game. So that means Kiffin and LSU theoretically had until 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday to submit a full roster to the league.

Whether or not Kiffin planned on actually playing either against Clemson in Week 1 is unclear, but it's clearly a legal battle that will continue into college football season.

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LSU roster for Week 1 vs. Clemson

Neither of LSU's former professional players, Wright or Harris, were listed on the team's roster on Friday night before the deadline for Week 1. The door remains open for them to play later this season, however, according to the players' attorney.

"LSU has made a measured decision to keep these two young men off the roster for now while preserving a path for them to be added later," attorney Ryan Downton said in a statement ahead of Week 1. "Everyone should use that space to lower the temperature and look at the facts."

For now, Wright and Harris won't be on the field. But with a chance that they do in the future, they could become contributors to Kiffin's roster.

TE Dae'Q Wright

Wright had his best season as a senior year as a full-time starter last year at Ole Miss. He notched a career-high 39 receptions for 635 yards with five touchdowns, averaging 16.3 yards per reception.

Still, he would likely be listed as the second-team tight end at best, behind returning starter Trey'Dez Green.

DE Zxavian Harris

Harris had a breakout season as a senior at Ole Miss in 2025. He had 15 starts for Ole Miss and finished with 58 total tackles with 27 solo stops. He added a career-high three sacks with an interception.

He is projected to be a No. 2 defensive tackle behind Dominick McKinley.

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Lane Kiffin explains Week 1 roster decision on 'College GameDay'

After leaving Wright and Harris off his Week 1 roster, with "College GameDay" in Baton Rouge, Kiffin appeared on the show on Saturday morning and said his decision "wasn't easy."

"As much as I feel for the players … at the same time, I'm the head coach at LSU and I had to make a decision for the big picture of LSU, with the uncertainties of what could come by adding them to the roster," Kiffin said on ESPN.

As for the response to his recent decision-making with the former pro players, Kiffin said: "A lot of times to do great things, you are going to be hated."

Lane Kiffin to the @CollegeGameDay crew: “A lot of times to do great things, you are going to be hated” pic.twitter.com/UYPKxEKhQX

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 5, 2026

"That wasn't easy. As much as I feel for the players ... I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU."
Lane Kiffin on the decision to not roster Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris for today's game against Clemson. pic.twitter.com/iPVHJTYoav

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 5, 2026

LSU court ruling

Judge Will Jorden ruled in favor of the players and granted them a preliminary injunction, which should pave the way for them to play for LSU.

BREAKING from @WAFB news director on site: Judge Will Jorden has sided with players and GRANTED the preliminary injunction @LSUfootball#LSU@WAFB

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) September 4, 2026

LSU statement on ruling

LSU school president issued a statement on Friday morning, and said that the school is "carefully reviewing the court's order" and plans to work with the SEC and NCAA:

A statement from LSU System President Wade Rousse regarding last night's ruling. pic.twitter.com/v68ikkBiLf

— LSU President Dr. Wade Rousse (@LSUpresident) September 4, 2026

SEC statement on court ruling

The SEC released a statement following the ruling saying it disagreed with the judge's decision and that the conference will continue to defend its rules.

SEC statement after tonight’s decision pic.twitter.com/RjJnlkNw7u

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 4, 2026

Will SEC appeal court ruling?

The SEC does plan to appeal the court ruling in defiance of the preliminary injunction. However, it's unlikely that appeal will be heard before games begin this weekend.

Attorneys representing the SEC today in court say they plan to file an appeal to tonight’s decision as soon as possible.

— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) September 4, 2026

Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright statements on ruling

Both Harris and Wright spoke to reporters in the wake of the injunction that paved the way for them to be added to LSU's roster. Each downplayed the details of the court case, choosing instead to focus on discussing the opportunity to return to college and play football. Their full remarks can be found below.

DT Zxavian Harris is fresh out of the courtroom on Thursday night in Baton Rouge.
He said he expects to be added to the roster - but doesn’t think he will play on Saturday against Clemson.
“It’s been a long time coming… This is a relief.” #LSUpic.twitter.com/jd2GnG4kFu

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) September 4, 2026

Dae'Quan Wright & Zxavian Harris speaking to the media after the court injunction ruling.
Sounds like they plan to suit up for LSU this season. Let’s see what the SEC & NCAA do now. pic.twitter.com/RbBR7KsxHk

— Chris Gordy (@ChrisGordy) September 4, 2026

LSU football schedule 2026

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