Adding new players in the final two weeks of the offseason presents challenges in a college football world where almost all players have been with their respective programs for at least three months and in most cases more than twice that long.
But Lane Kiffin has not shied away from the opportunity ongoing circumstances granting veteran athletes around the country an unexpected fifth year of eligibility have presented him and LSU to improve their roster heading into his fast-approaching first season leading the program.
And the coach appears to have secured a couple particularly familiar fits in that market in the past 24 hours to help ensure as smooth an acclimation as possible.
A pair of former Ole Miss stars in tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris now with NFL experience reportedly intend to join the Tigers and their former coach after spending this offseason with Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Sunday afternoon that Wright planned to join LSU if he cleared league waivers, and CBS Sports senior reporter Matt Zenitz shared Monday that the Tigers were expected to add Harris as well.
Kiffin has spoken numerous times this month about his perspective on the potential late-developing availability of a new group of transfer players — consistently declining to delve into specifics, but emphasizing that he considered the granting of another year of eligibility the fair resolution and that he and the LSU staff would be well-prepared to navigate their circumstances as they gained clarity.
He largely echoed those stances Monday as the topic dominated his scheduled media availability more than ever following a commitment announcement Friday by former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka and the report on Wright’s intentions.
“I’m not gonna talk any specifics of players, especially because they’re recruits, so I can’t really get into any of that,” he said. “I’m not gonna really get into that. Are they recruits? Are they not? There’s so much gray area there that I’m not going to get into individuals until we fully understand everything.”
Wright, if and when available, would add another proven weapon at a tight end position already expected to be a strength with junior Trey’Dez Green as one of the few players Kiffin and company brought back from last year’s offense.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Wright caught 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts for the Rebels in 2025 and earned all-SEC second-team honors.
In four total seasons between Virginia Tech and Ole Miss, he appeared in 47 games with 29 starts, 113 receptions, 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns.
Harris — and, for that matter, Tuihalamaka — address a particular area of anticipated need in bolstering a defensive front that has notable talent, but a two-deep depth chart loaded with several true freshmen and players working back from injury or through inconsistencies
The 6-foot-8, 330-pound run-stuffer and interior disruptor played in 52 games and started 25 during his four seasons in Oxford, Miss., including 15 of each last season.
His 58 tackles, including nine for loss and three sacks, and an interception and four deflected passes this past fall marked career-highs across the board and he totaled 123 tackles, including 17.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks, during his entire tenure with the Rebels.
Harris would join a group where former Acadiana star Dominick McKinley returns, veterans Malik Blocton (Auburn) and Stephiylan Green (Clemson) had led the transfer additions and early-enrolled freshman Richard Anderson (Edna Karr) and Daverin “Deuce” Geralds II have come on strong all offseason.
The edge rushers have appeared more set with transfers Princewill Umanmielen (Ole Miss) and Jordan Ross (Tennessee) leading the way and true freshman Lamar Brown (University Lab) and veteran Dylan Carpenter (St. Amant) poised for notable roles as well.
But the group took a hit with a spring knee injury to Gabriel Reliford (Evangel Christian) and the absence from the team this fall of Damien Shanklin.
A pair of underclassmen in converting linebacker Jaiden Braker and former Destrehan star Kolaj Cobbins have also garnered praise for their progress, but Tuihalamaka would add another, more experienced commodity into the equation if and when he arrives.
Kiffin declined Monday to comment on specifics on any particular player or potential timelines as the circumstances continue to develop, including a scheduled Aug. 31 court date on the ongoing case in Louisiana.
