SEC’s stiff penalties could force Lane Kiffin’s hand at LSU
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If you left college football to pursue an NFL career, it’s not going to be so easy to come back and play CFB in 2026.
Following the NCAA’s implementation of the new 5-for-5 rule, it’s left the door wide open for the class of 2022 to get injunctions from the NCAA to be granted a fifth year of eligibility. As of late, we’ve been hearing of NFL players, who were on a roster, get waived and land with a college team for the 2026 season.
However, conferences are beginning to implement rules that it’s not going to be so easy to do that. The Big Ten slammed the door shut on that happening, and now the SEC is in agreement.
MORE: Predicting fate of 6 college football head coaches on hot seat in 2026
Kiffin’s hand is going to be shown
The LSU Tigers are one of the main teams that have landed two NFL players for their 2026 team.
Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright was recently with the Cleveland Browns. He committed to LSU, while still being on the Browns’ roster, and then, once Cleveland waived him, he landed back with Lane Kiffin at LSU.
Shortly after landing Wright, Kiffin was in the news once again. This time, Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who happened to play for Kiffin at Ole Miss, committed to the Tigers.
But will they actually play for LSU in 2026?
Stiff penalties if they play
On Wednesday, the SEC’s penalties were revealed for any coach who breaks the NFL-to-college transfer. Violating the SEC-pro sports rule would get the coach suspended for 50% of the contests, along with a big fine.
” The fine will amount for 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget, and the head coach’s suspension will include all coaching, recruiting and administrative duties. The punishment is similar to the one the NCAA has in place for “ghost transfers,” or players who leave one school for another without entering the transfer portal,” per On3.
For any team that breaks the rules, they will also have their SEC voting right revoked.
What are the guidelines for the SEC-pro sports rule?
- Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA DRAFT, and did not appropriately withdraw,
- Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or
- Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate roster).
Unless Kiffin and the SEC are prepared to take a suspension or lose their rights — their hands will be tied.
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