LSU football coach Lane Kiffin said he consulted with the leaders of his team before deciding to pursue former NFL players seeking a return to college for a fifth season of eligibility.
Kiffin acknowledged Monday that he struggled with the decision, saying he wanted to do what was in the best interest of the players already on LSU’s roster.
“I met with our leadership committee of our players and I asked them, it’s your team, what do you want to do, if these players are allowed to be added to rosters, what do you want to do, and everyone of them was emphatic about if they can help us win, bring them,” Kiffin said.
The decision has already resulted in several new faces around the LSU football program.
Kiffin said former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is now practicing with the Tigers. Wright spent time in training camp with the Cleveland Browns before he was released on Aug. 22.
LSU also has a commitment from former Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. Harris was cut by the New Orleans Saints in early August but has not yet begun practicing with the Tigers.
Kiffin also confirmed former Notre Dame edge rusher Junior Tuihalamaka is practicing with LSU. Unlike Wright and Harris, Tuihalamaka did not sign with an NFL team. He is seeking eligibility after spending four years with the Fighting Irish.
There was also talk of former LSU edge rusher Jack Pyburn returning, after he was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the Kansas City Chiefs signed him. Pyburn led the NFL in the preseason with four sacks.
‘Internal chaos’
The possibility of adding players just days before the season opener has raised questions about whether the moves could disrupt team chemistry.
Kiffin said some internal chaos is not necessarily a bad thing.
“We’re going to have chaos, but it’s going to be controlled chaos, and our team’s going to understand why we do what we do,” Kiffin said. “Just like in this decision about potentially taking players like I told you, I went to the players, what do you want to do, and they wanted to do it, so it’s not like it’s chaos that comes in and they don’t understand it.”
The moves have also drawn scrutiny from around the SEC.
Yahoo Sports college football reporter Ross Dellenger reported that the presidents of the other 15 SEC schools are unhappy with the possibility of LSU rostering players who participated in NFL training camps.
Even if a Baton Rouge judge rules the players eligible, the SEC’s membership could potentially seek penalties against LSU, including probation or a ban from competing for conference championships.
Kiffin said his focus remains on improving the Tigers.
“If it makes your team better and it’s legal to do and your players want it, I’ll take the hit publicly for it, that’s my job.
Eligibility hearing set for Thursday
Judge William Jorden is scheduled to hold a preliminary injunction hearing Thursday.
The hearing will address whether the players are eligible to compete and whether the SEC can enforce its rule prohibiting athletes who signed contracts with NFL, NBA or WNBA teams from returning to college athletics.