Ruling clears former Perry High star Dae’Quan Wright, other ex-pros for LSU roster
The preliminary injunction allows LSU to include Wright on its 105-player roster, but his eligibility to play remains unsettled.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (41NBC/WMGT) — A Louisiana judge’s ruling clears the way for former Perry High School football star Dae’Quan Wright and other athletes with professional experience to be listed on LSU’s roster, though the legal fight over their eligibility continues.
According to reporting from The Associated Press, East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA Thursday night following a nearly nine-hour hearing.
The ruling came one day before LSU was required to submit its 105-player roster to the Southeastern Conference.
Wright, former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton are among the football players seeking additional college eligibility.
Wright began practicing at LSU this week. The AP reports he started too late to meet the NCAA’s seven-day practice requirement for Saturday’s season opener against Clemson.
Wright and Harris told the AP they expect to play when LSU visits Ole Miss on September 19.
Both players testified Thursday that they would not have tried to turn professional had they known they might receive another season of college eligibility.
Wright testified that Philadelphia paid him a $25,000 signing bonus before his brief time with the Cleveland Browns. He said he would repay the money for the opportunity to play at LSU.
Harris testified that the Saints paid him $190 in travel expenses and that he spent his time with the team rehabilitating a foot injury. Harris has committed to LSU.
Cotton, who played at Utah last season, has been recruited by LSU coach Lane Kiffin.
The case also involves athletes in other sports. LSU soccer players Jazmin Ferguson and Jocelyn Ollivierre received earlier court orders allowing them to play this season.
Ferguson testified that a professional soccer team paid her $4,500. She said she ended the contract and returned the money while seeking another opportunity to play for LSU. Two LSU softball players also testified during Thursday’s hearing.
The athletes argue they were denied the opportunity to use a fifth season of college eligibility because the NCAA adopted its new rules after they had already pursued professional opportunities.
The SEC maintains that its rules prohibit former professional athletes from returning to play at its member schools. The conference recently approved possible fines, coach suspensions and loss of voting privileges for schools that use those players.
The SEC also filed a federal lawsuit against LSU Thursday, accusing the school of deliberately recruiting professional athletes in violation of conference rules.
