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LSU’s 5-Star Tight End Gets Cryptic As Lane Kiffin Threatens Playing Time With Pitch To NFL Transfer

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iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Trey'Dez Green posted a cryptic message amid a recruiting push for Dae'Quan Wright.


The LSU Tigers’ tight end room got a bit more crowded less than two weeks before the start of the college football season. Dae’Quan Wright is being waived by the Cleveland Browns with the intention of returning to school.

He has committed to LSU. Barring any setbacks, he will play in Baton Rouge this fall.

Wright will provide the Tigers with another reliable set of hands in the passing game. Last year at Ole Miss, he ranked fourth amongst tight ends nationally with 635 receiving yards. He can also effectively used in run-blocking.

With that said, the starting role belongs to Trey’Dez Green. Will his playing time be threatened?

Lane Kiffin recruited Dae’Quan Wright to LSU.

Wright has already played four full seasons of college football. He appeared in seven games as a freshman at Virginia Tech, hauling in 19 receptions. He followed it up with a 366-yard season in 2023.

The tight end transferred to Ole Miss ahead of his junior year. He totaled 66 catches for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two years.

Wright then headed off to the NFL. He’s been participating with the Browns in the preseason.

Wright went undrafted as a senior but signed two NFL contracts in the offseason. He was released by the Eagles in August before joining Cleveland. The Browns released him on August 23rd, one day after their most recent preseason game.

So long as no other NFL team claims him off of waivers, he will return to college. He has committed to LSU thanks to recent rule changes.

The NCAA now grants a five-year window of eligibility to players. The 2022 recruiting class was not expected to be included in that adjustment. A temporary restraining order has opened the door for players like Wright.

The NCAA introduced a “five for five” rule to go into effect starting with athletes that enroll in 2027. Players will have five seasons of competition over a five-year period. It was set to begin with either full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurred first.

It was created to combat transfer portal chaos, redshirt applications, and age-related controversies. The move would all but end pushes to extend eligibility for players seeking sixth, seventh, and even eighth seasons, but there have been unintended consequences.

The NCAA’s changes in the eligibility model led to a class-action lawsuit with 16 football players in a Louisiana state court.

This group included Wright, who was granted a TRO, which allowed the plaintiffs a fifth year of eligibility for the 2026 season.

As a result, players from the 2022 cycle are returning to college, most after failed attempts to land with an NFL team. Wright is making history due to his previous contract status with Cleveland.

Lane Kiffin made the call to add Dae’Quan Wright to LSU’s roster. Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Kiffin reached out earlier in the offseason.

Monken appears to have obliged with the decision to waive the tight end. It sets up a path to play for the Tigers.

That decision might not sit well with current LSU players pushing for playing time in the Tigers’ tight end room.

Trey’Dez Green gets cryptic.

Green has been the program’s starting tight end for two seasons. He’s appeared in 24 games over the last two seasons. Those campaigns came prior to Lane Kiffin’s arrival.

Green hauled in 33 catches last year to lead LSU tight ends. He was again slated for a starting role as junior. Will Wright’s presence threaten his standing on the depth chart?

Maybe. Maybe not. Wright probably has an edge in run support. He also outproduced his counterpart in receiving totals last year in Kiffin’s offense. Wright has familiarity with the staff and scheme. There is reason to believe he can slide immediately into a starting role.

There are situations when both can be on the field at the same time. With that said, there is only one football. Green’s opportunities will shrink if Wright earns a spot in the rotation.

The tight end posted a cryptic note on social media while watching the scenario play out.

Instagram / Trey'Dez Green

LSU tight end Trey'Dez gets cryptic on Instagram.


It is unclear if it was a direct response to the noise surrounding LSU’s addition of Dae’Quan Wright. The timing is obviously notable.

Trey’Dez Green signed with LSU as a five-star recruit in the 2024 class. He stayed committed to the program despite a coaching change. The 20-year-old will now be repaid by competing alongside a former NFL player for snaps.

It will be an interesting situation to see play out over the fall should Wright ultimately land in Baton Rouge. For now, Green is keeping his head down and focusing on himself. We’ll soon see if the new addition threatens his playing time, and if it results in any hard feelings.