New SEC rule could bar LSU football from pursuing Wright and Harris

A new SEC rule may complicate LSU football's pursuit of several transfer portal additions. On Tuesday, the SEC voted to block players returning from the NFL from playing college football. In recent days, LSU was linked to Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, two former Ole Miss players who had brief stints with NFL franchises over the Summer, after leaving Ole Miss as undrafted free agents.

Wright and Harris both spent four years in college, but a Louisiana judge granted them a temporary restraining order, potentially allowing each to play a fifth year. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that SEC presidents were aligned and this vote was 16-0. That would mean even LSU's president voted to keep these players ineligible, despite LSU's football coach, Lane Kiffin, and basketball coach, Will Wade, both trying to sign former pros.

Here's a look at the complete rule:

"Following meetings with the presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC will enforce the following policy: An SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has:

1. Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA Draft, and did not appropriately withdraw,
2. Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or
3. Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.

The commissioner is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions."

Following meetings with the Presidents, Chancellors, and Athletics Directors of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC will enforce the following policy: pic.twitter.com/LohWnb7G1J

If this rule holds up, Wright and Harris would not be able to play for LSU this fall.

With Wright, LSU was attempting to boost its tight end depth. The Tigers don't have a proven player to pair with Trey'Dez Green and Wright was one of the most productive tight ends in the nation at Ole Miss last year.

As for Harros, LSU wanted to add a veteran defensive tackle to pair with a handful of young and talented freshman at the position.

On Monday, Kiffin defended LSU's pursuit of these players.

"We have made a decision to recruit some kids around the country. And through these multiple injunctions around the country, which this is not a first time, they've been in college sports for a while, a group of players were granted a fifth year of eligibility around the country in multiple sports. And through them winning their injunction and entry into the portal, they're available to recruit. And so ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them. And at the end of the day, because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you, or they're going to play somewhere else around the country. So we've made a decision to recruit them," Kiffin said.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: New SEC rule could bar LSU football from pursuing Wright and Harris