{
  "id": 7915693,
  "title": "NFL Shuts Door on 2 Players After Failed Return to College Football",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/nfl-shuts-door-on-2-players-after-failed-return-to-college-football",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T01:01:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/nfl-shuts-door-on-2-players-after-failed-return-to-college-football-12453078"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nebraska's Lane Kiffin attempted to bring two former college football players, Dae Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, back to LSU for the 2026 season. However, both players had already joined NFL teams, participating in training camp and preseason games following an undrafted April season. NCAA and SEC rules barred them from joining Kiffin in Baton Rouge. A temporary Louisiana judge ruling permitted their enrollment, causing tension with their SEC conference. The SEC threatened to expel LSU, but the university ultimately withdrew its offer. Now, the NFL has taken action, stating both players are ineligible to visit or sign with any NFL team for the remainder of the season. This controversy is part of a larger lawsuit involving 42 athletes across various sports, including former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka and three other players signed to NFL contracts. Kiffin argued that if LSU could not secure their services, other programs would have pursued the players. Despite public support, the situation leaves both players in a difficult position.",
  "summary": "Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris tried to leave the NFL for one more college season with LSU. Now they're banned from both.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Front Office Sports",
        "title": "NFL Blocks Teams From Signing Players Who Tried to Return to College Football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nfl-blocks-teams-from-signing-players-who-tried-to-return-to-college",
        "published": "2026-09-16T21:03:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}