SEC and LSU could be gearing up for battle over player eligibility
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On the eve of the 2026 college football season, the SEC could be gearing up for a major internal battle.
LSU and Lane Kiffin have once again found themselves in the headlines as they are reportedly attempting to add two former Ole Miss players, tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who both signed NFL contracts as undrafted free agents but were waived this month. That has put the program directly in the sights of commissioner Greg Sankey and other schools in the league.
SEC bylaws prohibit players from transferring within the conference unless they do so during the primary transfer portal window in January. The league released a statement Monday night after an emergency meeting, asserting that "college sports are for college athletes."
That statement didn't commit to any action, but on Tuesday, Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger reported that SEC presidents are set to urge their athletic departments not to sign players who have signed professional contracts, at the risk of potential sanctions. The Big Ten announced a similar move on Tuesday.
A source, described by Dellenger as a college sports stakeholder, went as far as calling this Sankey's "Sorsby moment" in reference to former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whose quest for eligibility after admitting to betting on games prompted the Big 12 to sue the school before he and the Red Raiders ultimately backed down.
Kiffin has not confirmed the additions of Wright and Harris, though he broadly defended recruiting such players by arguing that if LSU didn't do it, some other program would.
It remains to be seen whether the SEC will pursue action against LSU or any other team that attempts to add players who have signed NFL contracts, but it could potentially jeopardize those players' availability when the Tigers open the 2026 season at home against Clemson on Sept. 5.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: SEC and LSU could be gearing up for battle over player eligibility
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