Texas' Steve Sarkisian Explains Why Adding Former NFL Players Is Morally 'Wrong' amid LSU Criticism

It seems like Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will not be adding any players to the Longhorns roster who previously reached the professional level.

"The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who's been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn't sit well with me," Sarkisian told reporters Monday. "I think that's wrong. That, morally, is wrong."

His comments come amid controversy regarding fellow SEC school LSU.

Lane Kiffin and the Tigers have aimed to add players such as tight end Dae'Quan Wright, defensive lineman Zxavian Harrison and edge-rusher Junior Tuihalamaka, but the SEC issued a statement saying it planned on preventing athletes from returning to the college ranks after they were on pro teams:

However, a Texas judge issued an order overruling the conference's statement.

Kiffin told ESPN's Pete Thamel he is in "daily communication" with the SEC regarding the issue and clarified the rule "does not prohibit players from practicing at the school, it prohibits them from being added to the final 105 roster, which has to be turned in on Friday."

LSU opens its 2026 season on Saturday in a highly anticipated showdown against Clemson.

The Tigers also play Sarkisian and the Longhorns this season on Nov. 14, and the comments and separate approaches to the issue figure to remain a storyline in the lead up to that contest.