The plaintiffs from the Class of 2022 have the right to play in 2026-27.
Judge William Jorden ruled Thursday afternoon that more than 30 student-athletes have been granted a preliminary injunction versus the NCAA, SEC and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
Friday is the deadline for LSU to turn its football roster in for the upcoming season. However, if LSU leaves roster spots open, enrolled students as of the first game can join the team at a later date per SEC bylaws.
Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright has been practicing with the team for a week. He was a named plaintiff in the suit along with defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka. He never agreed to terms or practiced with an NFL team as the case with Wright.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin declared in August his program would obey the orders of the courts. Judge Jorden’s preliminary injunction clears the way for LSU to add Wright and Tuihalamaka to the roster. More players could join them.
Sankey appeared in East Baton Rouge Court on Thursday and testified for more than three hours, a sign of his insistence on fighting the ruling.
An appeal to the Louisiana State Supreme Court is extremely likely. Meanwhile Sankey and the SEC filed a federal lawsuit in northern Alabama against LSU President Dr. Wade Rousse, Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and Kiffin for their role in recruiting “professional athletes seeking a return to college sports”.
This story is not over, but the plaintiffs have eligibility as of Thursday night.
**This is a breaking news story and will be updated if necessary
Updated 9:13 p.m. Thursday
Statement from the Southeastern Conference on ruling in today’s preliminary hearing: pic.twitter.com/MBQ9g9xYIJ
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 4, 2026
