‘Lane Kiffin Will Be the Death of LSU’ — Former Ole Miss HC Draws Flak Over Dae’Quan Wright’s College Football Return
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Lane Kiffin is working to establish his imprint at LSU, with the Tigers emerging as a primary destination for former collegiate players to make a return. The situation surrounding tight end Dae’Quan Wright serves as the latest example. Wright has reached an agreement to join LSU for the 2026 season, contingent on clearing NFL waivers and bypassing the SEC’s intraconference transfer rules.
However, this unconventional transition has drawn significant criticism and debate across the college football community.
Lane Kiffin Faces Heat Over Dae’Quan Wright’s NFL-to-LSU Move
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Cleveland Browns are waiving Wright. According to his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln, the tight end has agreed to terms to join LSU if he clears waivers.
START PREPARING:PFN’s Free College Fantasy Simulator
Should the move go through, Wright would be the first player to return to college football after signing an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent.
According to the current rules, an athlete transferring within the SEC outside the portal window would face eligibility restrictions. However, Wright and a group of athletes filed a lawsuit in Louisiana, securing a temporary restraining order that opened the door for select players to claim an additional year of eligibility.
Football fans had plenty of things to say about the controversial move.
“I’ll say it again… Respectfully, Lane Kiffin will be the death of LSU because he constantly comprises culture and leadership in attempt to win or get ahead. USC, Tennessee, Alabama (OC), and Ol’Miss…burned bridges due to zero leadership traits. Buyer beware,” Cover Crimson’s Brandon Clear wrote.
“That’s Lane Kiffin for you…zero values or loyalty. He needs to read the 48 Laws of Power because he’s destined for failure,” Clear added.
“Lane Kiffin, the first college coach to tamper with an NFL team. At least his name is in record books for some things,” another fan said.
Wright began his college career at Virginia Tech, spending his first two seasons there before transferring to Ole Miss for two more years under Kiffin. He finished the 2025 season with an 80.6 PFN TE Impact grade, which ranked him 20th nationally.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
“Not a great sign for LSU if they are looking to sign all of these NFL transfer players. Disaster brewing for Lane Kiffin and Co.!” J5 Sports wrote.
“LSU is a trash program run by a trash coach. When they write the history of what destroyed college football, LSU and Lane Kiffin need to be at the top of the list,” another fan said.
This transfer scrutiny adds another layer of pressure on Kiffin’s inaugural campaign in Baton Rouge following his controversial exit from Ole Miss. LSU’s roster management under Kiffin remains one of the most heavily discussed storylines heading into the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos