A Louisiana judge has ruled in favor of LSU in an eligibility dispute, clearing the way for the school to add former NFL players to its roster.
Court order enables immediate roster moves
Kcci Television reported that East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA late Thursday, a decision that arrived the night before LSU was due to submit its 105-man roster to the SEC. The injunction, Kcci Television said, permits LSU to list some former NFL players on its roster while the legal fight continues.
Sporting News reported the ruling specifically affects former NFL players including Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, and noted that Judge Jorden sided with the players after hearing testimony that included SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Sporting News also reported that attorneys for the players argued they were not offered the option to return to college before the NCAA issued its interpretation of the five-year eligibility rule.
SEC pushes back and prepares further litigation
The SEC released a statement late Thursday night saying, “We disagree with the court’s decision,” and saying its presidents and chancellors had unanimously adopted a standard that member universities should not place former professional athletes on their rosters. The conference said it will continue to defend that standard and its authority to govern competition among its member universities, even as a judge’s preliminary injunction cleared the way for LSU to bring two ex‑NFL players back to the college ranks without the SEC enforcing its ban.
Alabama Local News also reported the SEC has already doubled down by filing a lawsuit against LSU in federal court, a move the conference described as necessary to preserve the governance framework agreed to by its members.
CBS Sports reported the SEC said it will comply with the court’s order while continuing to contest the underlying claims, calling the relief a temporary restraining order rather than a final decision on the merits. CBS Sports also reported that Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr urged SEC member institutions to weigh their options if LSU allows former professionals to play, and that there have been reports of other SEC schools discussing potential actions, including possible forfeitures.
Sporting News described the ruling as a significant setback for the NCAA and the conference in their effort to block former pros from returning to college play, while cautioning the broader legal battle is far from over. For now, LSU coach Lane Kiffin can proceed with roster moves enabled by the court’s order as the parties prepare for the next round of litigation.
