LSU issues statement on how it plans to proceed with fifth-year commits

Thursday night was a big win for the athletes who have been battling the last several weeks in court in search of a fifth season. Over 40 of these athletes were granted a preliminary injunction in a Louisiana court, officially paving the way for them to join other programs.

Part of Judge Will Jorden’s ruling this week that cannot go overlooked is the piece where he enjoined LSU with the SEC and the NCAA. LSU was ordered by the judge that it could not take “prohibitive action” against the players, per On3’s Wilson Alexander. In other words, the Tigers cannot use the threat of SEC sanctions to not roster specific plaintiffs in this case who are committed. 

This essentially gives LSU all the incentive to go ahead and put the players on the roster. That’s the next step in this process for the purple and gold. And Friday is an important date because that’s what faces this program ahead of the Clemson game. The 105 man roster must be finalized on the Friday before the start of the 2026 season, according to SEC rule. 

But according to an SEC bylaw, LSU is allowed to add players in-season if it leaves spots vacant on the 105 man roster when it submits it on Friday night.  

As a result, LSU has been left with a decision to make. The LSU president’s office has now released a statement regarding the plans going forward.

“LSU respects the judicial process and the court’s decision. Our responsibility is to support our programs while complying with the law and the rules governing our conference. We will carefully review the court’s order and continue to work constructively with the SEC and the NCAA as this matter moves forward. College football does not deserve this kind of ambiguity in eligbility standards, this is just another illustration that congress needs to pass a version of the Protect College Sports Act,” LSU system president Wade Rousse said in a statement.

This statement says that LSU respects the ruling of the court but doesn’t specifically say whether or not the Tigers will add these players before end of day Friday. The statement also confirms it will continue to work with the SEC and NCAA as this “matter moves forward.”

The Tigers’ football program currently has several fifth-year commits: edge Junior Tuihalamaka, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. Though not official yet, LSU is also believed to be closing on cornerback Blake Cotton as a fourth addition to the roster via this recent ruling in the Louisiana case. 

For two of those players, the expectation is that LSU will decide to put them on the roster Friday. Both Wright and Harris talked with reporters Thursday evening after their preliminary injunctions were granted. Wright even told On3’s Wilson Alexander that he expects to play in the Clemson game on Saturday, though he admitted he didn’t know in what capacity. 

“I’m just excited. We’ve got the hard part out of the way so far so now we can go have fun and be kids again,” Wright said.

“It’s just a relief really. I’m glad to hear it went our way a little bit,” Harris said. “I have not been practicing with the team but I think this is one step towards that.”

Again, LSU has until Friday night to submit its 105 man roster to the SEC. It can leave spots open for players like Tuihalamaka, Wright and Harris and add them later but with Judge Jorden enjoining LSU with the SEC and NCAA prohibiting all parties from keeping these athletes from playing, does it really make sense for the Tigers not to at least roster these players?

LSU’s statement doesn’t give any hints about what will ultimately need to be decided by end of day Friday. But it’s position all along in this matter hasn’t changed, it plans to abide by the court rulings.

The SEC has already released a statement disagreeing with the ruling and intends to push forward in appealing this decision. The NCAA of course is going to appeal, likely in state supreme court, and the question between now and then is does the SEC and NCAA get a stay in this ruling before that next court date?

But for now, the purple and gold have the green light from the courts to add these players to the roster and start playing them. Will they do it? We’re fixing to find out in a matter of hours.