[The LSU football team runs out on the field on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, before LSU’s 23-22 win against Arkansas at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
The LSU football team runs out on the field on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, before LSU’s 23-22 win against Arkansas at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.](https://lsureveille.com/285354/sports/daequan-wright-lsu-football-return-college/#photo)
LSU football can’t get enough of the spotlight.
Former Virginia Tech, Ole Miss and Cleveland Browns—yes, of the NFL— tight end Dae’Quan Wright is set to become the first ever player to return to play college football after a stint in the NFL, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wright warmed up for the Browns before their preseason game on Saturday in Cleveland, but did not play in the game. He has never taken a snap in an NFL uniform.
New legislation in Louisiana has seen 16 athletes file lawsuits against the NCAA to gain additional eligibility. All 16, including Wright and four former LSU athletes, won the lawsuit and were granted an extra year of eligibility.
“We look at everything, I think, and so we would be prepared for that,” head coach Lane Kiffin said in a press conference on Aug. 10 regarding the potential changes in eligibility for the class of 2022.
Wright went undrafted in 2026, but signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on May 1. He was released by the Eagles on Aug. 10 and picked up on waivers by Cleveland the next day. If he clears waivers again, he will once again play for Kiffin, but now at LSU.
Kiffin picked up Wright in the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. In two years with the Rebels, he caught 66 passes for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns.
There could still be issues with Wright getting to LSU.
The SEC currently has a rule in place that prohibits athletes from transferring within the conference when it is not their sports transfer portal window.
Wright might have to further fight for eligibility, but he could have a case since he couldn’t have been expected to enter the transfer portal during the window, being under the impression that he would not have more eligibility.
“These kids should, if they get a fifth year, they should [be able to] go wherever they want. Any conference, anywhere,” Kiffin said in that mid-August press conference.
If Wright clears the hurdles and becomes the first ever player to return to college football after time in the NFL, it shouldn’t take him too long to get acclimated.
The two years that he spent in Ole Miss were with the same head coach and offensive coordinator that LSU has now—Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. The system they ran at Ole Miss has been installed at LSU, and Kiffin has been trying to get Wright to come join it.
“I don’t know what to say. I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out to me a week ago, now I know,” Browns head coach Todd Monken told reporters Saturday. “I didn’t call him back. I guess I should have.”
LSU has now added two commits in the past week despite opening the season against Clemson in just two weeks.
Former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka committed to LSU Friday. Tuihalamaka was with Wright in the Louisiana lawsuit.
The tight end room now features elite talents in Wright and Trey’Dez Green, who might be the best tight end in the country. In the edge group, Tuihalamaka adds 54 games of experience to a group which was depleted from the loss of Gabriel Reliford, who is likely out for the year with an ACL injury.
With the deep research and consulting that Kiffin and his staff have done, the additions might not be over, even with kickoff approaching in 13 days.
"LSU is just a dream place to be," LSU OC Charlie Weis speaks to media for the first time
HIGHLIGHTS | LSU Football Fall Camp | 8.11.26
About the Contributors
Why did you join the Reveille?
I keep up with all LSU sports and figured joining the Reveille would be the best way for me to voice my analysis and give the most fair and in-depth coverage possible to keep fans informed.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I will be a sports reporter for a major media outlet, continuing to use the skills and experience gained with the Reveille. I would like to still cover LSU sports, but would be more than happy to report for any professional sports league or another collegiate program.