A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday that opens the door for LSU to add former NFL players to its roster, a ruling that immediately prompted pushback from the Southeastern Conference.
Ruling and roster implications
Judge William Jorden granted an injunction that prevents the NCAA and the SEC from punishing schools that list the athletes covered by the suit, clearing the way for LSU to include some recently released NFL players on its roster. The order came hours after the SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin.
The injunction followed a lengthy, nearly nine-hour hearing in which multiple athletes testified about why they should be allowed to return to college play after brief professional stints. Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, both of whom signed with NFL teams and were later released, are among the players who intend to play for Kiffin at LSU. The athletes’ attorney, Tony Clayton, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse after the judge’s ruling.
Jorden’s decision arrived as LSU prepared to submit its 105-man roster to the SEC, effectively making the timing decisive for the school’s short-term roster planning. How many games those players might be eligible to play remains uncertain as the matter continues to work its way through the courts, Owensboro Messenger And Inquirer reported.
SEC response and the unfolding legal fight
The SEC announced it will appeal the ruling. In an official statement the conference said, “The SEC will continue to defend this standard, the principle of fair competition, and the Conference’s authority to govern competition among its member universities.”
The SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU and coach Lane Kiffin after the conference’s commissioner argued against allowing certain former professionals; conference officials said they will continue to defend the league’s standards and authority to govern competition among its member universities.
After the ruling, someone referred to the SEC’s federal lawsuit against LSU as “legal garbage.” Some have suggested the lawsuit could become the SEC’s best chance to prevent former professionals from playing this season, though a Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction that improved LSU’s chances of adding those players.
Judge William Jorden granted an injunction that would allow the players named in the case to be added to LSU’s roster, and the ruling says the NCAA and SEC cannot punish schools that let the athletes in the lawsuit play. How many games those players might be eligible for remains to be seen as the matter continues working its way through the courts, and the SEC has said it will appeal.
