Lane Kiffin Explains Recruiting NFL's Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris to LSU

Tight end Dae'Quan Wright is currently at the center of a storm that is NCAA eligibility after he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent this offseason but is now joining LSU on the transfer portal after being waived.

Kiffin and Co. also landed a commitment from former New Orleans Saints defensive end Zxavian Harrison, according to On3's Pete Nakos:

"Through (players) winning injunctions and entry into the portal, they are available to recruit," LSU head coach Lane Kiffin told reporters on Monday. "Ourselves and many places around the country are recruiting them. ... Because of the rulings, they are going to play for you or someone else. We made the decision to recruit them. It's wrong to be critical of these kids. They were granted a fifth year and a judge said they were wronged. ... These players should have been told that they were going to be eligible for a fifth year. Had they known that, they would have stayed (and not signed pro contracts). You may end up having hundreds of athletes told they have a fifth year. It's a unique circumstance."

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken had his own take on the situation after Wright dressed for the team's second preseason game, though he didn't appear in the contest.

"Man, that s--t is crazy. I don't even know what to say," he told reporters. "As far as I know he had a medical issue that wasn't allowing him to practice, it's nothing to do with me. And then he was cleared so we dressed him just in case we had to have him. But when you don't rep it's hard to put him on the field. ... I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. S--t, I didn't know, now I know. I didn't call him back, guess I should've"

Wright went undrafted and was initially signed by the Philadelphia Eagles before being waived and claimed on waivers by the Browns on Aug. 11.

The NCAA's rule to allow the majority of Division I athletes five years of eligibility over the course of five years going forward didn't grandfather in players like Wright and other athletes who started their college careers in the 2022-23 academic year. He was among a group of athletes in Louisiana who filed a lawsuit disputing that decision and was granted a temporary restraining order that will allow him to play at the college level in 2026.

More lawsuits and court cases are likely coming, but for the time being, Wright will be joining LSU for the 2026 season.