Georgia football coach Kirby Smart on players going from NFL back to college

Two starters from Ole Miss’ CPF quarterfinal win over Georgia football in the Sugar Bowl last season could be on the move from NFL rosters back to what could be the college game at LSU to play for Lane Kiffin.

Unless the SEC makes a rule to stop pro players from returning to the college game.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said on Wednesday Aug. 25 that he and his staff are not looking to the pro game to also add players.

"No, we're not currently evaluating anybody that's on NFL rosters," he said. "You know, my thought, to each his own is my thought. I'm worried about our team, our organization, how we do things. The opportunities that are presented to the guys on our team is important to me. They've earned those opportunities through an offseason, through a summer program, through a really tough fall camp."

Dae’Quan Wright had 5 catches in two games for Ole Miss against Georgia in his fourth college season in 2026. After going undrafted and signing with the Cleveland Browns and dressing but not playing in Saturday’s preseason game, he was waived and hopes to return to college at LSU under Kiffin, his former coach, his agents told ESPN.

Another former Ole Miss player, defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, has committed to play for LSU, per On3. He was waived by the Saints after going undrafted. Harris led Ole Miss in tackles with 10 against Georgia in the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl win in the College Football Playoff.

"You have to decide for each and every person, if that's valuable enough to warrant replacing your players replacing your players that have worked with your team for others," Smart said. "They might be better. Our job is to upgrade and try to get better as much as we can to win games. Some people feel like that gives them an opportunity to get better and doesn't change their culture, the more power to them."

LSU also added a commitment from former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka.

Wright, Harris and Tuihalamaka fall under a temporary restraining order granted by a Louisiana judge last week that gives them a fifth year and allows them to enter the transfer portal.

It followed the NCAA instituting a new, age-based eligibility model that offers five years of eligibility over five years.

That didn’t cover athletes who graduated high school in 2022.

The Big Ten, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel is set to pass a rule on Tuesday that would keep from players from returning from the NFL to play at one of its schools. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger said the SEC, ACC and Big 12 are also considering banning pro players.

Offensive lineman Cole Hutson returning to Texas for a fifth year after taking part in NFL minicamps.

Carter Loflin, a Georgia golfer who was a semifinalist at the US. Amateur this month, sued the NCAA on Monday in hopes of being able to play a fifth season for the Bulldogs.

Wide receiver Cole Speer, who played four seasons for Georgia after graduating high school in 2022 and did not pursue a pro career, reportedly was at practice last week after a Colorado court decision gave players like Speer a fifth season of eligibility. An appeals court later ruled in favor of the NCAA to take that season away.

Smart said before then regarding Speer: “I wouldn’t make any assumptions right now with the NCAA and the rulings and the things going on. He is not officially back with the team. We’ve had conversations with he and a lot of guys but nothing is official yet.”

Former Georgia safety JaCorey Thomas, who took part in a Panthers minicamp after going undrafted, reportedly plans to seek a temporary restraining order as well and enter the transfer portal.

The SEC issued a statement Monday evening after a video meeting of presidents and chancellors that said: “Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition.”

Some pointed out that those 2022 athletes didn’t choose to leave but didn’t have an option to continue to play.

The SEC statement said allowing those from the pro ranks to return “will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school, and current college athletes.”

The SEC did not say then it would keep its schools from adding pro players, but said eligibility “confusion” adds to why the Protect College Sports Act needs to be enacted. Congress left for its summer recess without advancing it.

The SEC already has a rule that prohibits a player from transferring to another conference school if they don’t enter in the first transfer portal window.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football coach Kirby Smart on players going from NFL back to college