The LSU Tigers and head coach Lane Kiffin have been moving forward with plans to bring several players onto their roster who have already signed professional contracts and spent time with NFL teams this preseason. However, a day before their season opener, LSU’s first opponent has issued a pretty clear warning.
In an email sent to LSU’s general counsel on Friday, officials for the Clemson Tigers warned LSU that the participation of former professional football players on Saturday may breach the game contract between the schools.
LSU Looks to Add Former Pro Players
LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin have been moving forward with plans to bring in at least three players who signed professional contracts this summer, including former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who play tight end and defensive tackle, respectively.
Adding those players to the roster would break two separate league rules, as the SEC prohibits players from entering the conference after signing a professional contract while also restricting intraconference transfers outside of the designated portal window.
However, a Baton Rouge judge has issued an order preventing both the NCAA and SEC from enforcing their restrictions related to eligibility, the transfer portal, and professional players returning to college football. On Thursday, Judge William Jorden, out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ruled in favor of LSU by approving a preliminary injunction “that prohibits the NCAA and SEC from punishing any school” that fields former professional players.
Clemson Issues a Warning
According to a report from Yahoo! Sports’ Rob Dellenger, Clemson officials have issued a warning to LSU ahead of Saturday’s season-opening showdown, notifying their legal counsel that playing professional players could breach the contract between the two schools.
Dellenger reports that Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a brief email to LSU’s general counsel,
In a brief email sent Friday afternoon to LSU’s general counsel, Clemson general counsel Chip Hood warned that “certain eligibility” issues may break “contractual obligations between the two parties.” The obligations are “not relieved by the ongoing disputes.”
The letter made it clear that the school does still intend to travel to Baton Rouge and play in this weekend’s game. Additionally, the university is not seeking financial damages and in no way suggests filing legally against LSU.
At the same time, Clemson emphasizes that it “supports the position of the NCAA and our conferences regarding the eligibility of professional athletes returning to play college sports.”
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