A Louisiana judge granted a preliminary injunction on Thursday night blocking the NCAA and Southeastern Conference from punishing schools that roster certain former professional athletes, clearing a path for LSU to add players who spent part of the summer in NFL camps.
East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued the order for athletes including former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright, former Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and former Notre Dame pass rusher Junior Tuihalamaka. They signed short professional contracts after the NCAA revised eligibility rules in June to allow five seasons in a five-year window.
Seniors who believed their college careers were finished later sued for that extra year.
The SEC last week approved sanctions that could include a half-season coaching suspension and multimillion-dollar fines. Fifteen of 16 schools voted yes. LSU abstained.
Lane Kiffin said LSU players supported the late additions.
“Every one of them was emphatic about, ‘If they can help us win, bring ’em,'” Kiffin said.
LSU must submit its 105-man roster on Friday. Wright has practiced and hopes to play Saturday night against Clemson. Harris is targeting the September 19 game against Ole Miss.
The SEC said it will appeal and filed a separate federal lawsuit in Alabama against LSU and Kiffin. Commissioner Greg Sankey has argued a bright line between college and professional sports must be maintained. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called the situation embarrassing and said there is no governance.
The ruling covers only the named plaintiffs. Similar lawsuits continue nationwide.
