SEC Issues Statement Opposing NFL Players Returning to CFB amid Latest Commits to Lane Kiffin, LSU

With eligibility controversies surrounding LSU and the SEC ahead of the 2026 season, the conference released a statement Monday saying it opposes NFL players returning to the college ranks.

"College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference," the statement said. "Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition.

"Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.

"College sports are for college athletes. The current confusion around national eligibility standards emphasizes the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act."

This comes as LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin appear primed to add a handful of players who seemed to be done at the collegiate level.

ESPN's Max Olson noted former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright plans to join the Tigers after he clears waivers in the NFL following the Cleveland Browns' decision to waive him. What's more, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris is also committed to LSU after the New Orleans Saints waived him earlier this month.

Former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka also committed to LSU.

Olson reported those are three of the 16 players who are now eligible for a fifth year after a Louisiana court granted them a temporary restraining order.

"At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you or they're going to play for someone else around the country," Kiffin told reporters Monday. "So we've made the decision to recruit them like probably most people are."

It is another step in his aggressive roster-building strategy ahead of what will be his first season at LSU.

He also landed the top-ranked 2026 transfer portal class, per 247Sports, and seems set to add more talent that was competing for NFL roster spots not long ago.