Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is set to join Lane Kiffin’s LSU Tigers for the 2026 season after being waived by the Cleveland Browns, becoming the first known player to transition from an NFL roster back to college football following a pivotal Louisiana court ruling.
Cleveland Browns Waiver and the Historic Path Back to Baton Rouge
The Cleveland Browns waived tight end Dae’Quan Wright, clearing a path for the undrafted rookie to return to the collegiate ranks. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed to The Associated Press that Wright has an agreement in place to join the LSU Tigers for the 2026 season, provided he clears the NFL waiver wire. The Browns claimed Wright off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on August 11.
Wright warmed up for the Cleveland Browns before their August 22 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. If he clears waivers, he could be suiting up to play for LSU when they open the season September 5 against the Clemson Tigers. A team source told The Athletic that if another NFL team does not claim him, Wright could soon return to college and play for his former head coach at LSU this season.
This transaction marks a historic move in college athletics. Wright is believed to be the first player who could play for an NFL team, and then go back to play in college, having a deal in place to return to college football after signing an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent. After going undrafted, Wright initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie and then landed with Cleveland via waivers, though he hasn’t appeared in either of their first two preseason games.
Wright played the last two seasons for new LSU coach Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, catching 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels in 2025. He amassed 113 catches, 1,603 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches over four seasons at Virginia Tech (2022-23) and Ole Miss (2024-25).
Wright suited up in 15 games last season for the Ole Miss Rebels where he played a pivotal role in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s scheme.
The Louisiana Court Order and the Legal Battle Over Eligibility
Wright’s unprecedented jump is the direct result of a temporary restraining order granted by a Louisiana court. On Wednesday, the Associated Press noted 33 athletes in various sports—including 16 football players—were part of a lawsuit as they sought a fifth year of collegiate eligibility. The temporary restraining order from a Louisiana court made them eligible to return.
Max Olson of ESPN reported Thursday that Wright, former SMU running back TJ Harden, former BYU offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, former Appalachian State cornerback Ethan Johnson and former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki are entering the portal. They are able to do so thanks to a temporary restraining order granted by a Louisiana court.
The NCAA initially ruled that all players whose eligibility expired after the 2025 season will not be eligible for its new five-year eligibility model, but the court ruled that the 16 players, some of whom were competing in NFL training camps, could return to college with eligibility for the 2026 season. Wright is part of a lawsuit challenging new NCAA eligibility rules that give athletes a five-year window to compete in college sports, as he is among a large group of athletes whose eligibility expired under the old rules after the 2025-26 school year as Class of 2022 high school graduates.
Conference Hurdles and Repercussions Across College Football
At a news conference Monday, Lane Kiffin declined to discuss any specific players, but he did say of the players in the lawsuit: They’re available to recruit. So, ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them.
Not doing so, Kiffin added, could lead to a situation where we may end up playing against them.
A controversy also arose regarding how LSU became involved with Wright. Browns head coach Todd Monken said Saturday that Kiffin had reached out to him about a week earlier, only for Kiffin to offer a very different version on Monday. There's some inaccuracies in that story,
Kiffin said when asked about Monken’s comments, adding, Maybe someone else called him and said they were me.
Kiffin further stated, I actually don't know Todd. I guess somebody left him a text or call that was me, because I don't know him or have his number.
That directly conflicted with what Monken told reporters after Cleveland’s preseason game against Buffalo, where Monken said in the Browns transcript that he had wondered why Kiffin reached out to him a week ago, adding, I didn't call him back. I guess I should have.
Following the Buffalo game, Monken also reacted to the situation by telling reporters: Man, ain’t that s— crazy? I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know.
