Lane Kiffin says 'uncertainties' spurred him to leave ex-NFL players off LSU roster

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Much of the lead-up to Saturday's Week 1 matchup between LSU and Clemson centered not on the quarterback showdown, but on whether the Tigers would add former NFL players seeking a fifth year of eligibility to their 105-man roster.

Despite getting being granted a preliminary injunction by a Louisiana judge on Thursday, Sept. 3 to roster both Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, LSU ultimately opted against that late Friday, Sept. 4 — for now.

It was a decision that Tigers first-year coach Lane Kiffin explained during his appearance on ESPN's "College GameDay" in Baton Rouge alongside Nick Saban, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit.

"That wasn't easy. As much as I feel for the players, and I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe that these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country who are winning court cases and being put on rosters," Kiffin said on "College GameDay" on Saturday. "But at the same time, I'm the head coach of LSU and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture for LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster."

LSU vs Clemson prediction, how to watch: The Lane Kiffin era begins

Kiffin later added that the decision he made was in the "best interest of the team and university."

LSU not adding Wright and Harris to its roster leaves two open spots on the Tigers' 105-man roster, leaving a path for both to be added at a later date. That later date could come after more information and clarity comes out on the SEC's lawsuit against LSU and Kiffin in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The SEC's lawsuit also names LSU President Wade Rouse and AD Verge Ausberry.

The SEC has threatened to enforce the conference's newly approved penalties against any member school that adds a professional player from the NFL, NBA or WNBA to its roster. The policy was approved by 15 of the league's presidents and chancellors, as it was later reported that LSU abstained from the vote. Those penalties include:

  • 50% of season suspension for head coaches
  • 50% of that sport's annual operating budget
  • SEC voting privileges revoked on some matters

The eligibility chaos in Baton Rouge — and around college football — is catalyzed by the NCAA's decision in June to adopt an "age-based eligibility" model for student-athletes, which provides current and future student-athletes with five seasons of eligibility in a five-year span.

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Both Wright and Harris — members of the 2022 high school recruiting class, to which the "5-for-5" model was not applied — played for Kiffin at Ole Miss last season before he bolted for the Tigers this offseason ahead of the Rebels' College Football Playoff run. Wright was waived by the Cleveland Browns, while Harris was waived by the New Orleans Saints after both signed as undrafted free agents.

Former LSU linebacker Jack Pyburn was expected to rejoin the Tigers as well, but instead was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs off waivers on Aug. 31.

Earlier this week at a news conference, Kiffin told reporters in Baton Rouge that he consulted the Tigers' team leadership committee in his thought process of whether he'd add a player from an NFL roster seeking a fifth year of eligibility and a return to college football.

"A lot of times, to do great things, you are going to be hated," Kiffin later said during his appearance on "College GameDay" on Saturday.

No. 13 LSU is set to open the Kiffin Era in Baton Rouge against No. 23 Clemson and Dabo Swinney at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Tiger Stadium.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lane Kiffin says 'uncertainties' spurred him to leave ex-NFL players off LSU roster

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