LSU leaves former NFL players off Clemson opener roster amid SEC sanctions threat
Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were omitted despite a Louisiana court order allowing them to pursue college eligibility.
LSU has left former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off its roster for Saturday’s season opener against Clemson, according to a report from Yahoo Sports citing USA TODAY.
The decision came despite a preliminary injunction issued by a Louisiana judge allowing the pair to pursue a fifth year of college eligibility. The order did not establish that LSU was required to roster or play either player.
The omission follows a reported warning from the SEC that LSU could face significant penalties if it included Wright and Harris. Those penalties were reported to include a half-season suspension for coach Lane Kiffin, a 50 per cent reduction in the team’s annual operating budget and the loss of some SEC voting privileges.
Wright, a 22-year-old tight end, played the previous two seasons at Ole Miss under Kiffin and attended training camps with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Harris, also 22, is a defensive tackle who spent four years at Ole Miss before being released by the New Orleans Saints after being placed on the non-football injury list.
The pair may still join LSU later in the season. Yahoo Sports reported that LSU had listed 103 of its 105 available roster places, although their timing and final eligibility remain unresolved.
