LSU · SECLSU leaves Wright and Harris off SEC roster
Junior Tuihalamaka made LSU’s 103-player submission while two court-backed additions remain outside the roster and its 2026 plans.
SEP 6, 2026
The Pate State · Editorial Illustrationplayers on LSU’s submitted roster
roster limit, leaving two spots open
LSU’s overall record last season
01 · The NewsLSU Leaves Two Spots Open
LSU submitted a 103-player roster to the SEC on Friday, Sept. 4, including edge rusher Junior Tuihalamaka but leaving tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris off the list as their court fight over eligibility continues.
Asked whether LSU would follow the conference’s direction, coach Lane Kiffin gave a direct answer.
“The question whether, myself, as the head coach of football, will follow SEC orders. I said it earlier this morning when asked, of course we will,” Kiffin said.
The Tigers left two spots open under the 105-player limit, preserving a path to add Wright and Harris without immediately forcing a larger confrontation with the SEC. Tuihalamaka can move forward with LSU because he never signed an NFL contract and does not fall under the SEC rules and potential penalties at issue.
LSU received commitments from all three players after each was granted a temporary restraining order in Louisiana court. The court granted a temporary injunction Thursday, Sept. 3. On Saturday, Sept. 5, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey testified in Baton Rouge for three hours without the conference changing its position.
University president Wade Rousse said LSU’s responsibility “is to support our programs while complying with the law and the rules governing our conference.”
02 · The StakesWhy This One Matters
LSU opened 2026 with a 51-10 victory over Clemson on Saturday, Sept. 5, after going 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the SEC last season. The result gives the Tigers room to sort out the roster question, but it does not resolve which players LSU can use at two unsettled positions. Tuihalamaka’s inclusion settles his immediate status: He can practice and play with LSU under the submitted roster. Wright and Harris have no LSU roster spots, even though the school pursued both after the Louisiana court orders. The NCAA and SEC may seek a stay and take the case to federal court. LSU could add Wright and Harris later, but the school also could face conference consequences if the ruling is overturned after adding them. If LSU ultimately leaves them off the roster, either player could pursue legal action against the school.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The 103-player count is the decision’s clearest signal. LSU did not fill the roster and then seek room for the two players; it left exactly two spots open, keeping the additions possible while avoiding an immediate stand against the conference.
That is flexibility, not certainty. LSU has not said whether Wright or Harris will be added, and the NCAA and SEC have not said whether they will seek a stay or appeal the injunction. The players’ next legal steps also remain unsettled.
The decision keeps LSU’s football plans in limbo at tight end and defensive tackle. The Tigers can proceed with Tuihalamaka, but they cannot plan around Wright or Harris as rostered players until LSU makes another move.
“The question whether, myself, as the head coach of football, will follow SEC orders. I said it earlier this morning when asked, of course we will”
Lane Kiffin04 · The PersonnelNext Man Up
LSU’s submitted roster must carry those two position groups without Wright and Harris. The program has not identified replacements or explained how the omissions will alter its rotations, so the immediate football answer is limited: Tuihalamaka is available, while the other two commitments are not. That distinction matters after LSU’s dominant opener. The Tigers won by 41 points against Clemson, but the result did not settle the roster dispute or secure the two additions LSU left room to make.
05 · The ThesisThe Pate State Read
LSU chose a middle course. Keeping two spots open protects the option to add Wright and Harris, while putting Tuihalamaka on the roster allows the program to move ahead with one of the three players involved in the court fight. For a team Josh Pate picked as the No. 8 playoff team, the unresolved question is not abstract: LSU still has to decide whether two potential contributors belong on its 2026 roster and whether that decision exposes the school to a fight with the SEC. **1. The roster count.** A move from 103 toward 105 would show that LSU has added Wright, Harris or both. **2. A court filing.** A stay request or appeal from the NCAA or SEC would move the dispute toward federal review. **3. The players’ response.** Legal action against LSU would create another front in the dispute. **4. The position groups.** Tight end and defensive tackle usage against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 12, will show how LSU is handling the two open spots. For now, Tuihalamaka has a roster place. Wright and Harris have only the possibility of one.
06 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
The roster count
A move from 103 toward 105 would show that LSU has added Wright, Harris or both.
A court filing
A stay request or appeal from the NCAA or SEC would move the dispute toward federal review.
The players’ response
Legal action against LSU would create another front in the dispute.
The position groups
Tight end and defensive tackle usage against Louisiana Tech will show how LSU is handling the two open spots.