Louisiana judge clears LSU to roster ex-NFL players

East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden granted a preliminary injunction Thursday allowing named athletes to play a fifth college season.

The order prohibits the NCAA and SEC from punishing a school that puts those named athletes on the field.

The ruling applies only to athletes named in the Louisiana lawsuit.

Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris are the most prominent plaintiffs seeking to play for LSU.

Wright and Harris said they intend to join first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin.

LSU opens the season Saturday night at home against Clemson.

LSU must finalize its roster by Friday.

Wright said he hopes to play Saturday against Clemson and has practiced with LSU this week.

Harris said he may need a couple of weeks and hopes to be ready for LSU's Sept. 19 game at Ole Miss.

During Thursday's hearing the SEC filed a federal lawsuit in Alabama against LSU, Kiffin and school administrators.

The SEC seeks an injunction to stop LSU from playing athletes who signed NFL contracts, citing the conference's First Amendment rights.

The SEC last week adopted penalties for rostering former professionals, including a half-season coach suspension, large fines and loss of voting rights.

SEC university presidents voted 15-0 for the new rules, with LSU abstaining.

The SEC said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.

The SEC said member universities should not place former professional athletes on their rosters and have a right to set the rules they compete under.

In June the NCAA moved to five seasons in a five-year window but did not grant that extra season to 2022-class seniors who had already used four seasons.

Athletes from the high school class of 2022 sued for a fifth year of eligibility.

Jorden said he will also enjoin LSU so the university cannot act against the plaintiffs, a step requested to protect the school for complying.

Athletes' attorney Tony Clayton said justice was served to the SEC like a cold cup of gumbo.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called the SEC's federal lawsuit legal garbage.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the athletes are not professional football players circling back after years in the NFL.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr called on SEC members to use all measures available, including suspension or expulsion, if LSU plays former professionals.

Jorden said the SEC's move to add penalties after his earlier order sounded like collusion.

Wright said he received $25,000 from the Philadelphia Eagles and was not paid by the Cleveland Browns.

Harris said the Saints paid him about $190 in travel expenses and that he spent his time with the club rehabbing a foot injury.

The SEC said it will comply with the Louisiana court order while continuing to fight to enforce its rules.

Former Utah cornerback Blake Cotton received a temporary restraining order and is seeking a roster spot in Louisiana.

All four power conferences created similar rules last week aimed at players who signed certain professional contracts.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a brief supporting the athletes and attended the hearing.

Plaintiffs added the SEC and Sankey as defendants after the conference announced penalties.

Harris is listed at 6-foot-8 and about 330 pounds and had three sacks last season.

The SEC accused LSU and Kiffin of orchestrating recruitment of athletes who then sued the conference in Louisiana.

The SEC contends the question before the judge is whether the conference can require member schools to comply with SEC rules.

LSU already has preseason All-SEC tight end Trey'Dez Green.

Players' lawyers argue current college athletes who earned money in European professional basketball are still allowed to compete.

Thursday's hearing unfolded a few miles from LSU's campus and about 48 hours before the Tigers' opener.

The SEC would be violating a court order if the league office sanctioned LSU.

Athletes who signed pro contracts argued they did so only because the fifth-year rules were adopted after they left for the NFL.