Judge Clears 2 Ex-NFL Players for LSU Return as SEC Appeals Before Season Opener
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 4
Judge Clears 2 Ex-NFL Players for LSU Return as SEC Appeals Before Season Opener
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 4
Summary
A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday clearing Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to rejoin college football at LSU, with Wright targeting Saturday's opener against Clemson and Harris aiming for Sept. 19.
The order bars the NCAA and SEC from punishing LSU for using players named in the lawsuit, rejecting the conference's newly detailed sanctions that included half-season coach suspensions and fines reaching tens of millions.
SEC lawyers said they will appeal immediately, while the league also seeks a separate federal ruling in Alabama that would let it enforce its anti-pro-player rules against LSU and Lane Kiffin.
The case covers 42 athletes seeking a fifth season after the NCAA's June eligibility change, and it has become an early test of conference authority as courts issue mixed rulings on former players who briefly signed pro contracts.