Count Dan Lanning among the coaches who are not buying into the newest twist in college football roster movement: players who have already spent time in the NFL heading back to school.
The Oregon coach addressed the issue over the weekend and made clear he does not see it as a healthy development for the sport. His comments came after former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright drew attention by officially entering the NCAA transfer portal following a Louisiana court ruling that granted him a fifth year of NCAA eligibility while he was with the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland waived Wright on Monday, after he reportedly agreed over the weekend to join his former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin at LSU while still with the Browns. That’s, y’know, never happened before in NFL history.
The Louisiana court ruling could also affect other former college players who spent time in the pros as undrafted rookies, including former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former LSU outside linebacker Jack Pyburn. Both could be eligible to return to college as well.
Lanning, who oversees one of the country’s most productive college-to-NFL pipelines, said he sees real problems with the trend.
"I think there's a lot of negatives that are involved around this," Lanning said of the new trend, via SI 's Chris Vannini. "Once you go to the NFL, to me, you're in the NFL. You don't get the opportunity to come back."
He also raised the issue of fairness for players already on a college roster, noting that they could lose their place to a transfer who has already spent time in the NFL.
The situation has been unusual enough to leave plenty of people scratching their heads, and Browns coach Todd Monken’s reaction to Wright’s decision fit that mold.
He was as confused as most people are.
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For Ole Miss, the concern is now off the board. Stephenson did not officially sign that contract, which keeps him eligible and clears the way for him to suit up for the Rebels next season after transferring from FIU. Its a small but important development for a team that has been waiting for certainty on one of its newest guards. [Read more 🡒]