Lane Kiffin Asked His Players Before Adding NFL Cuts to LSU Roster

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin said he had a hard time deciding whether to add players who had just been cut from NFL teams to his college roster. He was worried about how it might affect the players who had already been practicing together all summer. So before he made a decision, he did something surprising — he asked his team's own leaders what they thought.

Kiffin shared what happened at a news conference on Monday, August 31. He said every member of the team's leadership group told him the same thing: if the new players can help the team win, bring them in. One player even pointed out that swapping and adding players mid-season is totally normal in the NFL and in the working world. That helped Kiffin feel more confident about his choice.

Two former NFL players are expected to join LSU's roster before the team's first game against Clemson. Both of them played for Kiffin last season at the University of Mississippi. The first is tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who was released by the Cleveland Browns. The second is defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who had been let go by the New Orleans Saints after signing as an undrafted free agent.

There was also a chance that former LSU linebacker Jack Pyburn would return to the Tigers. However, on August 31, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed Pyburn off waivers, meaning he will stay in the NFL instead. LSU has until September 4 to officially add Wright and Harris to its roster. Kiffin said Wright and another new player, defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka from Notre Dame, have already been practicing with the team.

The situation is complicated because college sports' rules are changing fast. On August 25, the Southeastern Conference — known as the SEC — passed a new rule. That rule bans any athlete who has signed and played as a professional from coming back to play college football or basketball at an SEC school.

Just one day later, the SEC announced tough punishments for any school that breaks this rule. Coaches could be suspended for half the season, schools could lose half of their sports budget, and they could even lose some of their voting rights in the conference. LSU's leaders chose not to vote when the rule was officially approved, which shows the school may not have been fully on board.

A judge in Dallas stepped in on August 27 to block the SEC from punishing schools that add former pro players. The SEC said it plans to fight back at a court hearing scheduled for Thursday. The conference argues it has the right, as a private group, to set and enforce its own rules for its member schools.

LSU kicks off its season on Saturday, September 5, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time against No. 23 Clemson. ESPN's famous pregame show 'College GameDay' will also be broadcast from Baton Rouge that morning, making it a big day for LSU fans.