As the SEC prepares to request a temporary restraining order from a federal judge in Alabama, LSU has finalized its roster for the upcoming season. After several weeks of courtroom appearances for Louisiana athletes, LSU decided not to add former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris.
On Tuesday, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin confirmed the final roster, adding Gabriel Reliford and Aidan Anding. This brings LSU’s roster to the 105-player limit.
“Did you authorize the SEC to sue LSU and coach Lane Kiffin?” attorney Tony Clayton asked SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey during the court proceedings.
Wright and Harris had previously amended their court complaints to name the SEC as a defendant. Following a lengthy hearing, a judge granted the athletes an injunction, prompting the SEC to file their suit in federal court against LSU and its athletic department.
SEC Commissioner Sankey testified on the authority given to him by the presidents and chancellors. He stated, “We established our First Amendment right for freedom of association, so our conference can make decisions about membership.”
Five days after the injunction, and ahead of the game against Clemson, LSU confirmed its decision to exclude both athletes from the team. Despite this, a court hearing is scheduled where the SEC seeks a restraining order to enforce its rules on pro-athletes returning to college sports. This order could allow the SEC to impose penalties on LSU.
The SEC released a statement emphasizing their right to establish governance rules. “The SEC and its member universities have the right to establish…the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed,” the statement read.
Following LSU’s 51-10 victory over Clemson, Kiffin commented on the decision to leave the athletes off the roster. He mentioned his long-standing relationship with Dae’Quan Wright, explaining his tough choice, “I’ve been criticized heavily the last two weeks…but my job is what I believe is right, and I believe we were fighting for what was right for those kids.”
In their recent filing, the SEC accused LSU of lacking control over Kiffin and the program. They expressed concern about LSU’s institutional control.
With the athletes not returning to college football, questions remain about the future implications of the SEC’s legal actions.