NFL Blocks Teams From Signing Players Who Tried to Return to College Football

The NFL told teams in a memo Wednesday that tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, whose efforts to return to college football from the NFL were thwarted when they were not rostered at LSU, cannot be signed by an NFL team this season.

“The following players who were eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft returned to college and participated with their college football team after the opening of NFL training camp, and therefore, they are ineligible to visit, tryout with, or be signed by NFL clubs during the 2026 NFL season,” the league wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by Front Office Sports.

But the legal wrangling over the issue may not be done.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Wright, told FOS by text message: “Dae’Quan is looking at his legal options right now and we will have more to say in the near future.”

The NFL Players Association also could be involved.

“We are aware of the memo and are in touch with each of the players’ representatives,” an NFLPA spokesperson told FOS. “We will explore all options to ensure each players’ rights are protected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”

The memo, sent from the NFL’s player personnel department on NFL Management Council letterhead to teams’ chief executives, club presidents, general managers, head coaches, player personnel directors, and club counsel, lists the names of Harris and Wright.

It also says, “This list is not inclusive of all 2026 draft-eligible players who returned to college. Clubs should contact [league officials] if they have questions regarding the NFL eligibility of any such player.”

The NFL threatened disciplinary action against any team or individual violating the policy.

“Clubs are reminded that it is each club’s responsibility to verify player eligibility,” the NFL wrote in Wednesday’s memo. “If a club is unable to verify a player’s eligibility, either on its own or in consultation with the NFL Player Personnel Department, the club may not sign such player to a contract and may not otherwise permit the player to practice or play with the club (including a visit or tryout). Violations may subject the club to discipline, including the loss of draft choices and/or fines, and club personnel may also be subject to fines and/or suspension.

“If there is any question regarding a player’s NFL eligibility, it is imperative that the club contact the NFL Player Personnel Department.”

The NFL had told teams at a special league meeting Aug. 26 in Atlanta that any player who returns to college football from the NFL would be ineligible to play in the NFL this season; such players would become free agents ahead of the 2027 season without having to go through the NFL Draft process again.

Rosenhaus previously said Wright did not sign an agreement with LSU. The agent said he was attempting to determine whether Wright could be signed by a team and play in the NFL this season.

Wright was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted rookie before being waived and claimed by the Browns, who waived him last month. Harris was signed by the Saints as an undrafted rookie but waived by the team last month.

Both signed on as plaintiffs in one of the many lawsuits against the NCAA arguing that players who started college in 2022 should have a fifth year of eligibility under the organization’s new “age-based” eligibility policy. LSU scooped up both players, drawing major backlash from the SEC, which then implemented a rule attempting to prohibit these athletes from being rostered at LSU. On the same day that a Baton Rouge judge granted an injunction protecting the players—and LSU—from punishment, the SEC filed a lawsuit of its own against LSU.

Because of the turmoil, LSU ultimately backed down for Week 1, opting not to roster either player ahead of the Tigers’ beatdown against Clemson.

“That wasn’t easy,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said on ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the season opener. “As much as I feel for the players—and I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe these kids have an opportunity to play just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters—but at the same time, I’m the head coach of LSU. And I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster. And we couldn’t get exact … what that would mean if we added them. So with that, made the decision which is [in] the best interests of the team and the university.” 

The SEC wasn’t placated, however. The league escalated its lawsuit the following week, and even threatened to hold a vote to kick LSU out of the conference. Because of this, LSU decided not to roster Wright and Harris at all. 

While the decision thawed the Cold War brewing between LSU and the SEC, it also left the two players out in the cold. Now, they have no opportunity to play college football this year and are barred from returning to the NFL until next season. The players are considering legal options, potentially against the SEC, FOS reported last week.