Story perspectives

Judge Grants 2022 LSU Athletes Fifth-Year Eligibility

8/26/2026

Summary

Kiffin Recruits NFL

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is recruiting former NFL players for the Tigers.
A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order granting 2022-class athletes a fifth year of eligibility.
Zxavian Harris, cut by the New Orleans Saints, signed with LSU after clearing waivers.
Dae'Quan Wright, waived by the Cleveland Browns, will join LSU once waivers clear.
Former LSU player Breiden Fehoko called the recruitment ‘disgusting’ on social media.

Summary

Pyburn NIL Deal

Jack Pyburn could receive roughly $1 million in NIL compensation, surpassing the NFL rookie minimum of $885,000.
To regain eligibility, Pyburn must end his Buccaneers contract and repay the $115,000 salary and $15,000 signing bonus.
The lawsuit lists about 30 plaintiffs, primarily 2022 high-school graduates, with basketball athletes comprising the majority.
Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court’s order covers over 30 athletes and 16 former college football players.

History

Historical Context

In 1953 the NCAA coined “student-athlete” to sidestep a Colorado court ruling that treated players as employees. The movement accelerated with California’s 2019 Fair Pay to Play Act and culminated in the Supreme Court’s unanimous June 21 2021 Alston decision, which barred limits on education-related benefits. That precedent now underpins Lane Kiffin’s NFL-player recruitment and Jack Pyburn’s $1 million NIL lawsuit.

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Kiffin Recruits NFL

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is recruiting former NFL players for the Tigers.
A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order granting 2022-class athletes a fifth year of eligibility.
Zxavian Harris, cut by the New Orleans Saints, signed with LSU after clearing waivers.
Dae'Quan Wright, waived by the Cleveland Browns, will join LSU once waivers clear.
Former LSU player Breiden Fehoko called the recruitment ‘disgusting’ on social media.

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