NFL memo and legal status of the players
The NFL circulated a memo to teams this month declaring Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright ineligible to play in the NFL this season.
Both players were identified in the SEC’s complaint accusing LSU and coach Lane Kiffin of recruiting former professional athletes, and LSU has filed a motion to dismiss that federal lawsuit.
How the dispute has pulled LSU into federal court
The eligibility disputes have become entangled with a broader legal fight between LSU and the Southeastern Conference. LSU and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a formal motion to dismiss the SEC’s federal lawsuit, arguing the Alabama federal court lacks personal jurisdiction over Louisiana state officials and that the SEC’s complaint fails to state a claim for relief.
The SEC pushed back publicly, saying it was “deeply disappointed” that LSU filed the motion amid efforts to reach a settlement. The conference framed its statement around concerns about LSU’s commitment to conference rules and shared governance responsibilities.
Allegations about recruiting former professionals and the amended complaint
The SEC’s amended complaint — filed in early September — centers on reported plans by LSU’s staff to add former professional players to the roster. Yahoo! News reports the SEC specifically alleged that LSU and coach Lane Kiffin engaged in a deliberate effort to recruit former professional athletes, naming Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris among those at issue.
SEC and LSU officials had been engaged in discussions toward a potential resolution, but with LSU and the state’s attorney general moving to dismiss the case, the dispute remains unresolved and headed for further litigation.
Practical consequences and immediate stakes
The dual tracks — NFL ineligibility and a separate conference legal dispute — leave both players in a legally complicated position this season. The NFL sent a memo saying Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright were not eligible to play in the NFL this season, and Wright reportedly practiced with LSU before being deemed ineligible by both the NCAA and NFL. Meanwhile, the SEC’s lawsuit accused LSU of recruiting former professional athletes, and LSU has filed a motion to dismiss that federal case.
For LSU, the case opens larger questions about conference governance and the boundaries of recruitment practices as seen by the SEC. The motion to dismiss signals LSU’s intent to challenge the forum and the legal basis of the SEC’s claims rather than continue negotiations to settle the dispute quietly.
At present, the legal battle between LSU and the SEC is ongoing and unresolved. Both the eligibility of Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright and the larger governance questions the case raises will hinge on the next rounds of filings and any court rulings that follow.
