The path from NFL training camp to the Southeastern Conference has been paved.
Love it or hate it, the courts have the upper hand at the moment. Attorney Darren Heitner, who represents plaintiffs in multiple eligibility cases across the country, posted Saturday, “My understanding is that the SEC and Greg Sankey will comply with all applicable court orders, including those in Louisiana.”
Yahoo! Sports confirmed the report via text messages shared between counsel.
That means LSU commitments Zxavian Harris, Dae’Quan Wright and Junior Tuihalamaka are currently eligible to play under a temporary restraining order filed in the 19th Judicial District in East Baton Rouge Parish.
On Thursday, the hearing for the preliminary injunction will take place. Should the players win, based on today’s news, LSU will in all likelihood add multiple players to its roster.
Former Tiger Jack Pyburn was also named in the suit. Should he be released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’s another likely addition for the Tigers. LouisianaSports.net has previously reported former Utah cornerback Blake Cotton is also expected to join the Tigers as one of the plaintiffs named in the Louisiana lawsuit.
LSU GETS BETTER
There’s no question that adding a proven SEC tight end, a 6-foot-8 mountain of a defensive tackle, edge rusher help and perhaps a cornerback makes LSU better.
The Tigers are thin at defensive end, and Pyburn brings strong run defense and an underrated pass rush to a room with Princewill Umanmielen, Jordan Ross, Lamar Brown and Dylan Carpenter. Even if Harris is a little bit out of shape, he can still be used as a weapon versus field goals, blocking six at Ole Miss. I’m told the LSU staff wants him for that reason at the bare minimum. If he is in shape, he absolutely provides help at a defensive tackle position that could be manned by true freshmen.
Wright is a better option than Malachi Thomas at tight end. He can help with his blocking in the running game in a way Trey’Dez Green can’t.
Cotton played three years at UC Davis and started eight games for the Utes in 2025. LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond likes tall corners, and Cotton is 6-foot-2. He was in camp with the Denver Broncos before being waived while dealing with a hamstring injury.
LSU is short on numbers at corner after Aidan Anding’s spring injury. Cotton would provide depth behind DJ Pickett, PJ Woodland and Ja’Keem Jackson. He’s probably a better option than Michael Turner Jr. or Havon Finney.
THE RISK
While the SEC has reportedly told its members it will comply with the court rulings, that doesn’t mean an appeal isn’t coming. Should the players win on Thursday, the SEC will certainly appeal. With that appeal is likely a motion for a stay which happened in Colorado. The judge could grant that stay which would preclude the players from joining the team until the appeal is heard.
This appears to be headed all the way to Louisiana’s Supreme Court regardless of the outcome on Thursday.
Attorneys for the players have included retribution language in the restraining orders which will not allow the SEC to enforce its newly written penalties retroactively should the players win on Thursday, play at some point this season and then become ineligible on an appeal. Charles Bediako won in court and joined Alabama’s basketball team last season. He lost an appeal and was removed from the team, but Alabama didn’t face any penalty for playing him while he was eligible under the temporary restraining order.
It doesn’t appear at this moment that LSU is concerned with such consequences. Every indication is that if the players win on Thursday that the Tigers will bring them on board quickly with the intention of getting them on the field.
ROSTER SIZE
The new rules allow for 105 players in the program on full or partial scholarship. LSU has listed 112 players on its current roster with a number of walk-ons being grandfathered in and not counting against the 105.
If LSU were to bring in four or five players, it’s likely that roster casualties would come into play and underscore the ugly side of this situation.
A player or players who worked all spring, summer and fall could lose a spot within hours of kickoff against Clemson.
Kiffin has said he came to LSU to win. With that mission, tough decisions have to be made. It’s my understanding that LSU intends to move forward with the new players and may have difficult conversations next week.
