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The SEC is not happy with LSU and Lane Kiffin’s attempt to sign former NFL players and is considering drastic penalties for the school.
Last week, Kiffin showed interest in signing three former NFL players, who were recently cut from NFL training camps but had won temporary restraining orders from a judge allowing them to play.
The SEC is currently complying with the court injunction ahead of a Thursday hearing, but is considering extreme measures to prevent LSU from signing the former NFL players, including potentially kicking the school out of the conference.
Via Yahoo Sports/Ross Dellenger
High-ranking SEC university executives are exploring legal and internal avenues intended to address the school’s plans to add former professional athletes to its rosters, including extreme measures such as boycotting competition against the Tigers, sanctioning the school with probation or even expulsion, and/or filing a federal legal challenge.
The conversations, primarily among SEC school general counsels and university presidents, are considered in the early stages. The talks are described as “not league driven, but membership led.” While these discussions are serious in nature, it is unclear as to what avenues the conference or its members will ultimately pursue.
One thing is clear, though: Multiple SEC university officials believe that action is required to maintain a fair and balanced competitive field within the conference, and they are prepared to take serious steps against an LSU program that, they say, stands to violate the membership constitution and bylaws.
An SEC school official to @YahooSports: “There are plenty of other schools who will take their place.”
The feud between league members and LSU has the makings of unprecedented and historic decisions. https://t.co/2KQV05PASF
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 31, 2026
Kiffin insists that he’s not breaking any SEC rules if the court allows the players to play.
“All we’re waiting for is clarity this week from the SEC, which they can’t give final clarity until Thursday’s ruling,” Kiffin said. “We are waiting for final clearance and guidelines from the SEC. I have been in communication daily with the SEC to make sure we’re complying with the SEC rules.”
“A lot of athletes filed these injuctions around the country and their attorneys. felt they should get the year back due to the NCAA not handling it properly. Those kids have a court order saying they can play and now they’re being restricted by (the conference) saying there’s not. There’s no intent, nor was there ever was to play somebody we’re not supposed to (against an) SEC rule.”
“We’re waiting to see Thursday. We’re focused on Clemson and spending our time on that all week. They can figure out the rest and we’ll just wait for guidance.”