College football is as out of control as it has ever been, and Sunday evening was the icing on the cake. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Dae’Quan Wright, who had been waived by the Cleveland Browns earlier on Sunday, intends to transfer to LSU. Wright, who played tight end the past two seasons under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, will need to first clear NFL waivers before making it to LSU.
Wright is believed to be the first player ever to have been with an NFL team and then return to college. This is possible thanks to a temporary restraining order Wright received from a Louisiana judge, granting the tight end a fifth year of eligibility. However, future legal proceedings will determine if that TRO is in fact temporary or if its here ot stay.
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The other complication for Wright joining LSU is SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who sent a memo to league members stating, “SEC eligibility rules, including those relating to intraconference transfers, remain in effect until fully or individually waived, or the rule is changed.” SEC rules state that players cannot transfer within the conference outside of January’s portal window.
LSU has already benefited from the TRO. Late last week, the Tigers added former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka out of the portal after the TRO was granted, and now Kiffin and staff are adding someone they’re plenty familiar with.
What does Dae’Quan Wright bring to LSU’s offense?
Wright began his college career at Virginia Tech and spent two seasons in Blacksburg before heading to Oxford for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Last year, Wright caught 39 passes for 635 yards and was second on the team with five receiving touchdowns. Wright was a second-team All-SEC selection last season before heading off to the NFL.
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Wright participated in the 2026 NFL Combine but went undrafted. He initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before heading to Cleveland. Wright played in Cleveland’s 31-7 loss to Buffalo Saturday afternoon before being waived.
Wright’s 635 yards ranked No. 4 among all tight ends nationally. He was a bona fide and reliable difference maker on one of the top offenses in the country. Ole Miss made it all the way to the CFP semi-finals, so Wright would bring valuable postseason experience to Baton Rouge, too.
Not many tight ends are big play threats, but Wright averaged 16.3 yards per catch with the Rebels in 2025. Wright was a solid run blocker as well, something LSU needs at the tight end position.
LSU lacks depth at tight end. If Wright is suiting up for the Tigers, suddenly, LSU has the tools to play 12 personnel with Green and Wright on the field. It would be hard to find a better TE duo in the entire country.
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LSU may not be done adding players currently with NFL teams either. The Tigers are linked to former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, who is currently in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Tampa waives Pyburn, the expectation is he will rejoin the program ahead of the 2026 season opener against Clemson.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: What Dae’Quan Wright brings to LSU football’s offense
