Pete Thamel Issues Major SEC Update

As LSU gears up for their opener against Clemson, tight end Dae'Quan Wright eyes a comeback amidst legal uncertainty following a pivotal court decision.

LSU may have a new tight end on the way for Saturday’s opener against Clemson, and Dae’Quan Wright isn’t sounding like someone planning to sit this one out.

After a Louisiana judge granted Wright and former Ole Miss teammate Zxavian Harris a temporary injunction against the SEC and NCAA, both players were cleared for the upcoming season. Wright, who signed an undrafted deal with the Cleveland Browns, is now expected to join LSU’s roster on Friday.

And according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Wright said he expects to play for LSU against Clemson in Baton Rouge after getting only two days of practice.

That would be a quick turnaround, even for a player who already knows the offense well. Wright spent the last two seasons in Lane Kiffin’s system at Ole Miss, so the learning curve should be manageable. Still, it’s hard to picture him taking on a major workload right away without at least a week or two of practice under his belt.

Even so, LSU is adding a proven piece. Wright has 113 catches for 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns in his college career, with most of that production coming at Ole Miss.

Before transferring to Oxford, he spent his first two years at Virginia Tech, where he did not score. His best season came in 2024, and his top game for the Rebels arrived that year too, when he caught nine passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Arkansas.

Wright also spoke outside the courthouse after the ruling and made his intentions clear.

"I look forward to putting on a college uniform again," Wright said, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

If Wright does suit up for LSU, there’s also the small matter of a jersey number. He wore No. 8 at Ole Miss, but that number is already in use by quarterback Husan Longstreet and cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson.

For now, LSU’s tight end room already includes Trey'Dez Green, who is described as arguably college football’s best player at the position. Wright’s arrival gives the Tigers another weapon - and a fascinating one to watch as Saturday approaches.

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