LSU holds off on adding players with NFL ties as SEC lawsuit looms over program, Lane Kiffin
LSU Faces Legal Roadblock Over Player Eligibility as SEC Files Lawsuit
BATON ROUGE — A federal judge has ordered the Southeastern Conference to pause its efforts to force Louisiana State University to add two players to its football roster, blocking the conference from penalizing LSU for allegedly violating its own First Amendment rights.
The ruling comes amid a high-stakes legal battle over the NCAA’s recent “five-for-five” eligibility rule, which requires athletes to complete five years of collegiate competition. The dispute has pitted the SEC against LSU, with the conference accusing the university of overreaching while LSU seeks to protect its autonomy.
The lawsuit was filed by members of the 2022 recruiting class, including former Ole Miss wide receiver Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. These players were expected to be added to the LSU roster for the upcoming season, but the court intervened Thursday to grant a preliminary injunction. Under this order, LSU is permitted to keep the players eligible even if they are listed on the roster, effectively shielding them from the conference’s enforcement actions.
"We established our First Amendment right for freedom of association," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey during testimony. He argued that the conference possesses the authority to enforce its membership standards without interference from external legal challenges.
Despite the legal victory, LSU did not proceed with adding Wright and Harris to the official roster before the season opened. Instead, the university opted to wait until later in the year should the players choose to sign contracts. This decision avoids the risk of a "contempt of court" finding if the players are subsequently removed from the roster.
The tension escalated earlier this week when the SEC filed its own federal lawsuit in a North Alabama court against LSU, Lane Kiffin, and various school administrators. The SEC claims it is protecting its First Amendment rights, asserting that the conference has the power to enforce its own eligibility guidelines regardless of external judicial rulings.
The situation has drawn attention from state leaders as well. Governor Jeff Landry and LSU administration officials were reported to be engaged in discussions regarding the fallout, adding political weight to the academic and legal conflict.
As the deadline for submitting rosters approached, the outcome of the injunction offered a momentary reprieve. While the SEC maintains its stance that LSU must adhere strictly to the new eligibility regulations, the immediate threat of sanctions has been neutralized. The legal saga remains unresolved, with the federal case pending and the conference’s lawsuit still active in court.
