Louisiana Judge Rules Against NCAA, Clearing Ex-Pros to Join LSU Roster

The decision directly challenges sweeping eligibility restrictions adopted by the Power Four conferences, handing a temporary victory to athletes seeking a fifth year of competition under updated NCAA windows established in June.

Courtroom Testimony From Former NFL and Professional Players

The courtroom proceedings featured testimony from several athletes caught in the gap between the NCAA’s new five-year competition rule and their high school graduation year of 2022. Former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright took the stand side by side in the gallery, detailing their brief and often unlucrative stints in professional football.

Harris testified that he was paid just $190 in travel expenses by the Saints while spending all of his time with the club rehabbing a foot injury. Wright described receiving a $25,000 signing bonus from Philadelphia before joining the Browns, adding that he would gladly pay that money back for the chance to play for LSU under head coach Lane Kiffin.

SEC Weighs Punishments for LSU Ahead of High-Stakes Court Hearing

Other plaintiffs included soccer and softball players who had previously signed with professional teams. Jazmin Ferguson testified that she was paid $4,500 by a USL team before ending her contract and returning the funds in pursuit of another collegiate season with the Tigers.

Greg Sankey Defends SEC Professionalism Rules on the Stand

Before the athletes testified, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey spent more than two hours on the witness stand defending the league’s authority to enforce eligibility standards across its 16 member institutions.

SEC Sues LSU and Lane Kiffin Over NFL Roster Dispute

During cross-examination, attorneys representing the athletes questioned why conference penalties singled out athletes signing with North American leagues like the NFL, NBA, and WNBA while omitting overseas professional leagues and women’s professional soccer.

Federal Lawsuit Filed in Alabama as Legal Battle Escalates

While arguments unfolded in Baton Rouge, the Southeastern Conference retaliated on a separate legal front.

“I got a problem with that. I mean, you go around, you can file this suit in any state. You’re suing LSU. Sue them in Louisiana. You go to our nemesis: Alabama. Really? So, so that lets you know what the commissioner is all about.”

Big Ten Unanimously Bans NFL Players From Returning to College Athletics

Tony Clayton, Plaintiffs’ Attorney, via Associated Press

Roster Deadlines and Unresolved Legal Questions

Judge Jorden’s preliminary injunction arrived just before LSU was required to submit its 105-man roster to the conference office. While the state court order prevents the NCAA and SEC from enforcing immediate eligibility bans against the active plaintiffs, attorneys for the conference confirmed plans to appeal the decision swiftly.

With 11th-ranked LSU scheduled to open its season at home against Clemson, the exact number of games these returning athletes will ultimately be permitted to play remains uncertain as the litigation winds through both state and federal courts.