The debate surrounding the inclusion of former NFL players in college football teams appears to have reached a resolution, at least temporarily. The LSU Tigers have decided not to add ex-NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to the team roster. These spots are now filled by Aiden Anding and Gabriel Reliford, as reported by Pete Nakos and Wilson Alexander of On3 and ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Wright and Harris, once part of the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints respectively, were at the center of a controversy resolved with significant actions from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). On Tuesday, the SEC requested from a federal court the authority to potentially expel LSU from the conference if they pursued adding NFL players, according to reports from Justin Williams, Seth Emerson, and Matt Baker of The Athletic.

The SEC issued a statement asserting its intent to preserve the right of conference and member institutions to self-govern. The statement emphasized the importance of adhering to agreed-upon governance procedures and the core principles of the Southeastern Conference. It depicted the filing as necessary for maintaining the ability to manage competition among the schools.

Though coach Lane Kiffin and LSU chose not to proceed with acquiring the ex-NFL players, an upcoming meeting among SEC member schools may still address the issue, albeit more as a warning. The actions by the SEC, however, marked a substantial gesture, potentially serving as a message to LSU and others about the consequences of not following conference rules.

Reporters from The Athletic commented on the situation, noting the significance of the SEC’s decisive approach. They highlighted the animosity generated by Kiffin and LSU amid discussions within the conference about enhancing self-governance and enforcing compliance with established rules and sanctions.