Lane Kiffin made a late precautionary decision that left two recent ex‑NFL additions off LSU’s Week 1 roster, a move that affected immediate depth for the opener.
As reported by CFB-HQ On SI, LSU did not add tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris at the SEC roster deadline, and the Tigers listed 103 players for the season opener, leaving two open slots on the 105-man allotment.
Key Takeaways
- An ESPN report from Pete Thamel covered the legal and roster developments that influenced LSU’s Week 1 decisions.
- LSU left Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off its Week 1 roster, listing 103 players for the season opener.
- A judge in Baton Rouge granted the pair a preliminary injunction that could allow a fifth year of eligibility against NCAA and SEC rules.
- Clemson warned LSU before the game that fielding former professional players could be a breach of the matchup contract, and the school said it would not seek financial damages.
Why LSU withheld Wright and Harris from the Week 1 roster
LSU did not add Wright and Harris at the SEC roster deadline, a timing that coincided with Clemson’s pregame warning and the conference rule restricting recently professional players from competing for member schools.
The choice preserved two open roster slots and avoided an immediate contractual dispute with Clemson while leaving the door open for a later roster move if the legal posture changes.
Legal implications of the Baton Rouge injunction
A judge in Baton Rouge granted Wright and Harris a preliminary injunction against the NCAA and the SEC that could permit a fifth year of eligibility for the pair.
The injunction complicates the SEC’s enforcement of its rule and does not automatically resolve the contractual obligations between institutions for a scheduled game.
Roster and legal context
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Week 1 roster count | LSU listed 103 players on its final Week 1 roster, leaving two open spots on the 105-man allotment |
| Injunction status | A Baton Rouge judge granted Wright and Harris a preliminary injunction that could allow a fifth year of eligibility against NCAA and SEC rules |
| Clemson’s contractual warning | Clemson emailed LSU before the game warning that using former pro players could be a breach of the matchup contract but said it would not seek financial damages |
SEC and College Football Playoff implications for LSU
In the short term, keeping the two players off the Week 1 roster avoided an immediate contract dispute and kept depth options flexible for LSU’s staff.
The timing of any future additions to those two open roster spots will affect position depth during SEC play and factors into the Tigers’ roster construction decisions for the season.
