The Southeastern Conference has filed a lawsuit against LSU and football head coach Lane Kiffin over the program’s plan to play a returning NFL player, according to reports. Late last month, LSU reached agreements with two high-profile former Ole Miss players, defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who both signed with NFL teams this year. However, the SEC has now moved to block the players from returning to college football with its lawsuit, which names LSU president Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry and Kiffin as defendants. The SEC requests the court ‘enter a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from violating the Conference’s First Amendment rights by compelling the Conference to associate with conduct that is contrary to the Conference’s purpose and mission,’ according to court documents viewed by the Daily Mail. On3 first reported on the filing. ‘Defendants waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes to play football for LSU during the 2026-27 season, including players who had signed NFL contracts with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers,’ the SEC said in its complaint.The filing comes as a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Baton Rouge. The SEC has filed a lawsuit against LSU and football head coach Lane Kiffin LSU president Wade Rousse (left) and athletic director Verge Ausberry (right) are also named as defendantsEast Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden scheduled Thursday’s hearing concerning the status of his earlier temporary injunction preventing the NCAA from ruling recent former pros or fifth-year college athletes ineligible – a stance also taken by the Power Four conferences with formal rules adopted last week. He is expected to rule whether the temporary restraining order, which currently allows the players who have been on NFL rosters to return, would remain in place until a trial date is set. SEC Commissioner Sankey is expected to testify and defend the SEC’s right to enforce its own protocols. Jorden also wanted the NCAA to explain why it should not be held in contempt after the power conferences set up potential punishments of its member schools who place former NFL or NBA athletes on their football or basketball rosters.Should the judge grant the injunction both Harris and Wright would be legally permitted to be played by LSU. Former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton, who like Harris and Wright is hoping to join LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin, was also among the players in question. Harris signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before being waived last month. The defensive back, who also played at Ole Miss last season, has committed to LSU, while Cotton, who played at Utah last fall, has been recruited by Kiffin.Wright was also on an NFL roster, only clearing waivers last week after being cut by the Cleveland Browns. However, he started practicing with at LSU this week, too late to be eligible for Saturday’s home opener against Clemson under the NCAA’s required seven days of practice.The Tigers open their 2026 season in a top-25 matchup against Clemson on Saturday night. Zxavian Harris suited up for the New Orleans Saints in NFL preseason but is heading to LSU Dae’Quan Wright was with the Cleveland Browns in preseason before clearing waiversPer SEC rules, team rosters have to be finalized and sent to the league office 24 hours before kickoff.Yet, Thursday’s lawsuit is just the latest move in the SEC’s attempts to combat their potential returns. It announced last week that it would not allow players who have been on NFL rosters to return to the conference.A statement from the conference statement read: ‘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.’ Kiffin fiercely defended the program’s decision to recruit fifth-year playersThe Big Ten announced the same decision earlier in the day, stating: ‘The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday the unanimous adoption of a conference rule to prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution.’The conference continues to evaluate potential rules restricting professional athletes in other sports from conference competition.’Kiffin defended the program’s decision to recruit fifth-year players when reports that Wright and Harris were set to officially sign first broke. The coach said: ‘We have, you know, 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 in college sports, players were granted a fifth year of eligibility in multiple sports.’And through them winning their injunction and entry into the portal, they’re available to recruit. So ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them.’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. We made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are.’