LSU coach Lane Kiffin said on ESPN’s “College GameDay” that he chose not to add two players who had signed with NFL teams to the Tigers’ opening-game roster because there was too much uncertainty about potential ramifications.“Yeah, that wasn’t easy,” said Kiffin. “As much as I feel for the players, and I believe you fight for what you believe in, and I believe these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters.”Why are LSU fans unequivocally behind Lane Kiffin?Chris BranchKiffin’s first game at LSU is a Saturday night home matchup against Clemson. But he has dominated headlines over the past week by threatening to defy SEC eligibility rules over two undrafted rookies who were cut by NFL teams last month.Tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris were part of a lawsuit filed in Baton Rouge, La., challenging the NCAA’s eligibility rules. A judge granted the athletes a temporary injunction on Thursday, clearing the path for Wright and Harris to play despite violating NCAA and SEC rules prohibiting professionals from returning to college football.The Cleveland Browns waived Wright, and Harris spent a brief time with the Saints during training camp. Both played for Kiffin last season when he was the head coach at Ole Miss.When LSU filed its official roster with the NCAA Friday night, Wright and Harris were left off, though there are open spots on the team for the players to possibly be added later.“I’m the head coach of LSU, and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster,” Kiffin said. “We couldn’t get exact reasons or exact what that would mean if we added them. So with that, (we) made the decision which is the best interest of the team and the university, and we’re excited to be playing a great game today here in front of these fans. Let’s spot the ball.”
Lane Kiffin talks roster, bonds with McAfee on GameDay: ‘We’re the two most hated people there are’
Kiffin explained the decision in submitting his rosters while acknowledging the broader animosity he's brought in the sport this past month.













