Thursday we told you the judge opened the door. Friday LSU did not walk through it.
DaeโQuan Wright and Zxavian Harris โ the former Ole Miss starters who had NFL cups of coffee โ are not on the Tigersโ roster for tonightโs opener against No. 23 Clemson. A source told The Advocate the school sat them the day after Judge William Jordenโs injunction.
Lane Kiffin did add Junior Tuihalamaka, a former Notre Dame defensive end who was in the same Louisiana case but never signed with the NFL. LSU is at 103 of 105 roster spots. Two chairs are empty on purpose.
Wright practiced this week and told reporters he expected to play. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
Why the school blinked
Jorden enjoined LSU from blocking the playersโ fifth-year chase. Lawyer Ryan Downton told Yahoo he would seek contempt if Wright and Harris were not added. He still might.
The other filing is why the Tigers hesitated. The SEC sued Kiffin, AD Verge Ausberry, and the university in Alabama on Friday. The conference rule bars adding NFL / NBA / WNBA players. Break it and the SEC can cut a schoolโs budget in half, strip voting rights, and sit the coach for half a season.
Commissioner Greg Sankey, who testified three hours Thursday in Baton Rouge, said the federal suit โwill speak for itself.โ
Blake Cotton, a former Utah corner who had a Broncos deal, also stayed off the Friday list.
What this means for you
If you came for the eligibility circus, the circus is in two courthouses and not in Death Valleyโs tunnel. If you came for football, Clemson is still the opponent. The injunction was permission. The SEC suit is the fine print.
Bottom line: the judge said they can play. LSU said not tonight. The empty roster spots are the tell.
GLHR NEWS explains the news. Not investment, tax, or trading advice. Do your own work before you act.
