LSU targets first active NFL player in transfer portal as eligibility rules shift
Lane Kiffin’s pursuit of Dae'Quan Wright highlights the institutional strain on college football as legal rulings expand player eligibility.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is actively pursuing former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who has become the first active NFL player to enter the college football transfer portal. The move underscores a significant shift in the sport’s regulatory landscape, where recent courtroom victories and temporary restraining orders have eroded traditional boundaries regarding amateur status.
Kiffin views the recruitment as a strategic opportunity to acquire talent under new eligibility rulings that grant players a fifth year of eligibility. "Because of the rulings, they are going to play for you or someone else," Kiffin said. "We made the decision to recruit them. It's wrong to be critical of these kids. They were granted a fifth year and a judge said they were wronged."
The decision has drawn criticism from peers who argue that allowing players who signed with agents or attended the NFL combine to return to college disrupts the competitive balance. Oregon coach Dan Lanning noted that previously, such actions qualified players as professionals, making their return "unfair to the sport."
Browns coach Todd Monken confirmed that Kiffin reached out to him regarding Wright over the weekend. "I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago; now I know," Monken said. "I mean, shit, I didn't know. Now I know. I didn't call him back; I guess I should've."
Beyond Wright, LSU has secured a commitment from former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka. Tuihalamaka, who made seven starts over four seasons with the Fighting Irish, was granted an additional season of eligibility under a Louisiana court ruling for Class of 2022 athletes. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman stated that the timing was too late for the university's graduate admissions process to accommodate the move effectively.
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III also voiced opposition, describing the return of NFL players to college as "gross negligence" and a disservice to current collegiate rosters. Despite the controversy, Kiffin remains focused on building a competitive roster within the current legal framework, a approach consistent with his history of navigating the complex rules of the sport.
