LSU declined to add two players with NFL ties, Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, to its official football roster ahead of Friday's SEC deadline, despite a court injunction that would have permitted it. The decision follows a federal lawsuit filed by the SEC against LSU, head coach Lane Kiffin and other school officials, after commissioner Greg Sankey warned that rostering such players would breach newly created conference eligibility rules and expose the school to serious sanctions.

The saga stems from the NCAA's "five-for-five" eligibility rule, under which a group of former 2022 recruits, including ex-Ole Miss players Wright and Harris, sued for an extra season of eligibility and won a preliminary injunction from Judge William Jorden. Although an SEC exemption allows enrolled full-time students to be added to rosters later in the season, LSU held off amid warnings that the conference could impose a 50% suspension for the head coach and heavy fines. Sources say the call was made not by Kiffin but by LSU administrators, alongside Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and university president Wade Rousse, following extended talks with legal counsel; LSU retains the option to add the players at a later date.