Louisiana Judge Rules Players Can Go From NFL Back to College

LSU and Lane Kiffin secured a legal win on Thursday evening when Judge William Jorden ruled to extend protections for several football players seeking to return from the NFL preseason back to college rosters. This decision applies to multiple athletes across various sports, challenging the NCAA's new age-based eligibility rule rather than focusing on professional participation.

The ruling has significant implications, as it allows players who have played in NFL preseason to sign with college teams for the first time. LSU will now have to decide whether to roster players like Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who previously signed NFL contracts but are now set to play for LSU this season. The SEC and NCAA are currently prohibited from penalizing LSU under the court's order.

While the SEC still filed a lawsuit against LSU, Kiffin, and athletic director Verge Ausberry, it is unlikely to proceed further if LSU rosters Harris and Wright for their upcoming game against Clemson. The ruling was a victory for the players, with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who supported the players, citing the athletes' loss of potential NIL money as a key concern.