LSU ends controversial eligibility saga in wake of SEC threat

LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lane Kiffin, LSU end controversial eligibility saga in wake of SEC threat

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 8:02 AM ET

At halftime of a 51-10 Week 1 drubbing of the Clemson Tigers, LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin joked, "Imagine if we had pro players." He'll have to keep imagining.

On Tuesday, the SEC amended a previously filed lawsuit against LSU to expel it from the conference. It also scheduled a meeting on Thursday to discuss the matter. The league filed the suit last week amid an extended dispute over whether LSU can add NFLers Dae'Quan Wright (tight end) and Zxavian Harris (defensive tackle) to its roster. In what may have been a response to that news, LSU opted not to give Wright and Harris its final two roster spots for the 2026 season.

LSU makes major Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris decision

Multiple reports shared Tuesday night that LSU is adding two players, reaching its 105-man roster limit. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, LSU is giving the slots to cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford. That eliminates the possibility of Wright and Harris playing for the Tigers in 2026.

Per ESPN's Max Olson, attorney Ryan Downton, who represents Harris and Wright, said the players are considering their options.

LSU is adding Aiden Anding and Gabriel Reliford to the roster, per ESPN sources. This caps LSU at 105 players. https://t.co/JzzcWa3Rm3
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 9, 2026

It appears Kiffin and company have caved under SEC pressure. The original report noted the conference wasn't expected to exercise the right to expel LSU, but the program doesn't want to risk it.

In the ever-changing college sports landscape, things can shift rapidly. LSU also doesn't want to lose out on millions in revenue. The Athletic's Seth Emerson reported in February that the SEC distributed a record $1.03B to its schools during the 2024-25 fiscal year. That's an average of $72.4M per school.

The school has tested the SEC's boundaries this summer, but now it appears LSU will stop as it tries to get back in the conference's good graces and avoid expulsion.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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