Dae'Quan Wright Waived by Browns to Join LSU After Court Ruling

Dae'Quan Wright, a rookie tight end recently waived by the Cleveland Browns, plans to join LSU after a Louisiana judge granted him a fifth year of college eligibility. This court ruling allows several former NFL players to return to college football despite prior professional contracts, disrupting traditional eligibility rules.

Wright, who played two seasons at Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Browns, did not play in Cleveland's preseason games. If he clears waivers, he is expected to join LSU's roster.

Lane Kiffin, LSU's head coach and Wright's former coach, confirmed recruiting players involved in the lawsuit granting the extra eligibility. He said, "They’re available to recruit. So, ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them." Kiffin added that not recruiting them could mean facing these players as opponents.

Kiffin defended the court ruling and the players' decisions, explaining, "They were granted a fifth year by a judge, saying they were wronged by the NCAA. … It’s simply that a judge decided they should have a fifth year, like everyone moving forward will have." He acknowledged the situation as unique and not representative of usual cases of professional players returning to college.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) expressed strong opposition to professional athletes returning to college sports. An SEC statement said, "Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition. Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes." The SEC called on Congress to regulate college sports accordingly.

Other players involved in the lawsuit include former Ole Miss teammates Zxavian Harris, who signed with the New Orleans Saints, and Wydett Williams, a former Arizona Cardinals safety, along with former LSU linebacker Jack Pyburn. These players can regain eligibility if they terminate professional contracts and repay any earnings.

Jack Pyburn, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stated, "I’m just trying to maximize myself as a player and as a person and play my best football, wherever that is," as reported by The Athletic.

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken commented on Wright's situation following a preseason game, noting, "Man, ain't this s*** crazy? I mean I don't even know what to say." Monken said Wright had a medical issue preventing practice but was dressed for the game as backup.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day reacted to the shifting landscape, saying, "We are certainly in a different world." Day highlighted the lack of roster stability late in the preseason and urged conferences to set roster lock deadlines to maintain competitive balance.

Day added, "If there are teams that have some players out there who are coming from NFL rosters that are going to be on other teams, we have to at least consider it and look at it. Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not.

But we’ve got to do what’s right for Ohio State." He also noted discussions with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti about the issue.