Kiffin Comments on Decision to Leave Ex-Pros off Roster
By: Gavin Oliver September 5, 2026

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin says the decision to leave former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off LSU’s roster for tonight’s season opener against Clemson was made in the best interest of the team and the university.

Despite a Louisiana state judge granting an injunction that legally paved the way for them to play, LSU chose not to put them on the official 105-man roster by the Friday night deadline.

Appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday morning, Kiffin explained his reasoning behind the choice not to roster the two ex-pros ahead of the Clemson game.

“That wasn’t easy,” Kiffin said. “As much as I feel for the players… I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters. But at the same time, I’m the head coach of LSU and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster.”

Wright is a former Ole Miss tight end who was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns last month before being waived, and Harris is a former Ole Miss defensive tackle who signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints this spring before being waived.

LSU intentionally left two open spots on their submitted 103-player roster. Because both Wright and Harris are enrolled at LSU, they could potentially be added to the team’s roster later in the year.

The SEC has threatened severe penalties against member schools that roster former NFL players, and the conference filed a federal lawsuit against LSU just days before tonight’s game.

Clemson also put LSU on notice, warning that the participation of former professional football players may breach the game’s contract between the two schools.

Clemson and LSU are set to square off at LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. (7:30 p.m., ABC).

You can watch Kiffin’s full explanation on ESPN’s pregame show: