The LSU Tigers' President has called the roster issues 'moot' now that the team has filled out its roster and will no longer pursue the addition of the former professional athletes.
The LSU Tigers and the SEC were headed towards a massive collision in court, but the school decided to comply and back away from its plans to add former professional athletes to its roster. Now, it is time for the conference to do the same.
News broke on Tuesday night that the Tigers would be adding back Gabriel Reliford and Aidan Anding to their roster, capping the roster at 105 players and keeping them from being able to add either Zxavian Harris or Dae'Quan Wright.
Now, LSU president Wade Rousse sent the following letter to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, per ESPN's Pete Thamel:
Allow this letter to clear up the allegations against LSU.
On the afternoon of September 4, 2026, I called and provided you with advance notice that LSU would not place Dae'Quan Wright or Zxavian Harris on the football roster. This was confirmed when LSU submitted its roster later that evening. On September 8, 2026, LSU filled its two remaining roster spots with eligible student-athletes. The roster is now locked for the season. LSU complied with SEC rules. This issue is moot.
Also on September 8, 2026, I received notice of the special President's and Chancellor's meeting scheduled for tomorrow, September 10, 2026. At no point has LSU ever threatened to upset the meeting. But to be clear, LSU will not challenge, disrupt or seek to cancel or postpone this meeting. This issue is also moot.
This letter does have one different claim than what was publicly known, in that Rousse told Sankey on September 4 that they would no longer be looking to roster Harris or Wright. They weren't added to the roster for the game against Clemson, but reporting soon followed that the plan was still to use those two roster spots
In the days since, the SEC has only escalated their threats of expulsion from the league, with tensions only beginning to lower once the Tigers' roster was full. It would be especially difficult for the conference to continue with the threats now that LSU has no chance of rostering the players.
Wright has seemingly been able to bounce back well from the news, as his agent has said a couple of NFL teams are now interested in signing him, should he be eligible to play in that league this season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The tight end could return to the league, but it'll likely be in a practice squad role, since he went undrafted in April and the season kicks off later on Wednesday night. Harris could have a tougher path forward. Both felt that playing one more collegiate season would have given them more opportunity to showcase for the NFL next year, potentially furthering their careers.
As for the two players that LSU did end up adding, Anding and Reliford, neither is likely to end up contributing, as they both suffered injuries considered to be season-ending. Reliford has made great strides, though, and has posted some very promising progress on his social media throughout the offseason. He at least looks ahead of schedule and could be eased into a role if his health allows it later in the year.
