A Louisiana judge has opened the door for LSU and the rest of the SEC to add more than 40 former professional athletes to their rosters, setting up a fast-moving and messy situation just as teams are due to turn in their lists.
Judge William Jorden granted an injunction on Thursday, according to Pete Thamel, clearing the way for NCAA and SEC eligibility for the group. Among the athletes included are former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright, both of whom are potential LSU additions.
Harris said he expects to be on LSU’s roster on Friday.
Wright went a step further, saying he expects not only to be added to LSU’s roster but also to play against Clemson on Saturday. He added that he has practiced for two days, per Thamel.
LSU is also working on another possible addition. CBS Sports reported, citing sources, that the Tigers are trying to add former Utah and Denver Broncos cornerback Blake Cotton.
Nothing is finalized, but he is a target. Cotton spent the offseason with the Broncos before being released in August.
The ruling landed the night before LSU was set to submit its 105-man roster to the SEC, which last week announced severe potential punishment for football and basketball teams that bring in ex-pros. LSU and every other SEC program now may add these athletes to their rosters, which are due Friday.
The players affected are part of a group of 42 athletes from multiple sports who are suing the NCAA in hopes of playing a fifth and final season of college sports. That list also includes former Notre Dame pass rusher Junior Tuihalamaka, who also plans to play for LSU.
How many games any of these former pros can actually play remains unresolved as the case continues through the courts.
The SEC is not backing down. ESPN’s Dan Murphy reported that attorneys representing the league said they plan to file an appeal “as soon as possible.”
SEC presidents, meanwhile, told ESPN this week they “will not budge” from their stance against pro players returning to college. The report also said the SEC would be violating a court order if the league office sanctioned LSU.
The league took another step Thursday morning, filing a separate lawsuit against LSU and Kiffin in federal court in Alabama in an effort to create a clear path for enforcing the new punishments announced last week. No ruling has been issued in that case yet.
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