A milestone in the fading line between college and pro football occurred over the weekend, and it’s one that could shape legal arguments regarding college athletes in the years ahead.
The Cleveland Browns waived tight end Dae’Quan Wright so he could sign with LSU in a transaction coordinated by the two teams and Wright’s agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
Wright, whom the Browns claimed on waivers after he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, becomes the first known player to leave an NFL team for the purpose of signing with a college program. Wright has already played four seasons at Virginia Tech and Ole Miss.
Two years ago, this kind of fact pattern would have seemed implausible, even farcical.
Not only were NFL and other professional players barred by NCAA eligibility rules from returning, but it also would have seemed head-scratching for a player who advanced from college football to the NFL to seek a return to a lesser level of football.
