LSUs Lane Kiffin fires back at NFL returnee backlash: Blame the NCAA, not us for recruiting pro athletes

Over the past few days, attention has centered around LSU deciding to go after some players who have recently been involved in NFL camps, thanks to a temporary restraining order granted by a judge in Louisiana.While the focus has been on former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright, there are a number of other athletes that were given the opportunity for a return to college football.NCAA Created This Mess, Now LSU Set To Make Dae’Quan Wright College Football’s First NFL ReturneeDae'Quan Wright No.8 of the Mississippi Rebels during a game against the Washington State Cougars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Oct.

11, 2025, in Oxford, Miss.(Getty Images)The reason why this has become such a hot-button topic is solely based on those players having already participated at the NFL level, besides playing in a regular season game.NCAA WINS TENTH CIRCUIT 'STAY', BUT FACES MORE ELIGIBILITY LAWSUITS FROM 2022 CLASS ATHLETES IN CHAOTIC TIMEBut, thanks to the court ruling, the ability to come back to college for a fifth year is on the table for a number of players, with a few of them likely headed to Baton Rouge for a final season of college football.If you expected Lane Kiffin to apologize for his involvement, you don't understand the LSU head coach.On Monday, he opened his press conference by outlining the reasons why LSU was recruiting these athletes who were granted an additional year."So, you know, 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, a group of 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," Kiffin noted."So ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them.At the end of the day, you know, because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play somewhe...