Former LSU pitcher Ben McDonald has weighed in on the growing controversy over NFL players returning to college football for a fifth year of eligibility, saying he personally disagrees with the trend but understands why both players and coaches pursue it. His comments come as LSU awaits clarity on whether tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka, both recently cut by NFL teams, will be cleared to play after rejoining head coach Lane Kiffin, a saga that has drawn scrutiny across college football amid legal disputes between conferences and the NCAA.

McDonald, speaking on Fox News' "America Reports", said that while he believes players should move on after four college years, NIL money changes the calculation and makes it understandable that athletes cut from NFL rosters would want to return for a paid fifth season under the NCAA's "5-for-5" eligibility rule introduced in June. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Wright, and Nebraska coach Matt Rhule both argued such players return significantly improved after NFL training camp experience, with Rhule suggesting they come back "twice, if not three times" better. McDonald echoed that logic from a coaching perspective, noting Kiffin faces disproportionate criticism partly due to recent controversy surrounding his move from Ole Miss to LSU.