Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off the roster for Saturday’s game reflects the growing uncertainty surrounding college football eligibility rules — and his attempt to protect LSU from whatever consequences might come next.
Speaking on “College GameDay,” Kiffin said he believes Wright and Harris “have an opportunity to play,” but explained that, as the Tigers’ head coach, he had to weigh more than the immediate impact of LSU’s season opener against Clemson. That matchup has been overshadowed by a turbulent week in which the SEC filed a lawsuit against one of its own member schools and coaches.
“That wasn’t easy,” Kiffin said of the roster decision during the appearance. “As much as I feel for the players, and I believe that you fight for what you believe in and I believe these kids have an opportunity to play — just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters.
“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 of LSU and the LSU football program with the uncertainties of what potentially could’ve come by adding them to the roster. And we didn’t get exact reasons or exact what that would mean if we added them.”
Kiffin has found himself in the middle of the latest wave of college sports upheaval. Wright and Harris, both former Ole Miss players who were on NFL rosters this summer, are among the athletes pursuing legal action in hopes of securing a fifth year of college eligibility despite having already turned professional.
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A Louisiana court granted an injunction allowing them to play, but the SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU and Kiffin on Thursday, claiming that the university violated league rules.
ESPN reported late Friday that Wright, a tight end who spent the summer with the Browns, and Harris, a defensive tackle who was waived in August by the Saints, could be added to LSU’s roster late in the season.
During his “College GameDay” appearance, when asked by Pat McAfee about what the week has been like, Kiffin acknowledged guidance from the polarizing ESPN star throughout the last week.
“Between you and I, we’re about the two most-hated people there are,” Kiffin said to McAfee
“Told me, ‘Hey, just focus on it. Don’t worry about the noise.’ Lot of times, to do great things, you’re gonna be hated.”
Saturday will mark the highly anticipated debut of Kiffin at LSU after his decision to bolt from Ole Miss to the Tigers near the end of the 2025 season, forcing the Rebels to operate without him during their College Football Playoff run.