Lane Kiffin Says LSU Players Support Adding Former NFL Players to CFB Roster

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin claimed on Monday that the players on the team's leadership committee were open to adding former NFL players seeking a fifth year of eligibility when approached about the matter.

"Every one of them was emphatic about, 'If they can help us win, bring 'em,'" he told reporters. "We understand we have a team that's practiced together and worked together all offseason, but one of them said, 'Hey, this is how it works at the next level, and this is how the real world works.' So that made me feel a little better in the struggle and being torn back and forth."

Kiffin has gotten himself in a bit of trouble when speaking on behalf of his players in the past, however.

After he left Ole Miss to take the LSU job, he said the team wanted him to continue coaching the Rebels in the College Football Playoff but he was denied that opportunity by athletic director Keith Carter. A number of Ole Miss players quickly disputed that claim:

As for the current situation, LSU has found itself in the middle of the NCAA's latest mess after the organizing body created a new rule going forward that will allow college athletes to have five eligible years if played consecutively going forward. They did not grandfather in the rule for departing seniors who had used up their four years of eligibility under the old system, however.

Lawsuits ensued, and in Louisiana a judged granted a number of athletes a temporary restraining order that permitted them to return to college for the 2026 season. Tight end Dae'Quan Wright—after being released by the Cleveland Browns—and former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka were among the football players who have been practicing with LSU in the wake of that ruling.

But the Power 4 conferences responded, creating rules banning teams from rostering any player who previously signed a professional contract. That, however, is also being challenged in court.

Kiffin said LSU would "of course" follow whichever rules are ultimately established or legally upheld.

"The SEC had a stance, made a rule," he told reporters. "A judge felt that they couldn't do that to the players, so we'll be practicing, focused on Clemson and spending our time on that all week, and they can figure out the rest and we'll just wait for guidance."