Lane Kiffin's pursuit of NFL tight end Dae'Quan Wright is no surprise at LSU, given the coach's history of pushing boundaries in college football.
Lane Kiffin has made it clear that he won't let criticism from media members or fellow coaches dictate his decisions. His job at LSU is to acquire talent, win football games, and hunt championships. "Because of the rulings, they are going to play for you or someone else," Kiffin said, explaining why he's pursuing Wright.
Wright, a former Ole Miss standout, entered the transfer portal after reaching the NFL. This decision would have been considered absurd not long ago, but college football's new era has erased many of its old boundaries. A judge's ruling granted Wright and other Class of 2022 athletes an extra season of eligibility.
Kiffin is not responsible for cleaning up the NCAA's mess. He is responsible for building LSU's roster, and if the rules allow him to pursue an NFL player, he'll likely see it as negligent not to make the call.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning has criticized Kiffin's decision, saying it's unfair to the sport and to players on current teams. "It used to be once you had an agent or once you went and did the combine, all those things qualified as you were no longer an amateur," Lanning said. "You're a professional now, once you declare for the draft."
LSU's pursuit of Wright is just one example of the coach's willingness to explore every available loophole in college football. The sport's new era rewards aggression, creativity, and a willingness to push the envelope. Kiffin has never needed permission to do what he does best: winning the transaction.
Recruiting a player from his former program after that player already reached the NFL feels especially brazen, even by Kiffin's standards. It also reinforces every negative perception attached to his Ole Miss exit. Still, Kiffin's responsibility is to win at LSU, not satisfy a national morality test.
LSU is also looking to add another former college player, Junior Tuihalamaka, a defensive end from Notre Dame. Tuihalamaka was granted another season of eligibility as part of the Louisiana court ruling. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has expressed concerns about Tuihalamaka's decision to return to college, citing the graduate admissions process and the challenges of balancing school and football.
Kiffin has never cared about his naysayers, especially after messy exits at Tennessee and Ole Miss. And he certainly is not going to start now because college football's latest eligibility twist has people screaming that the sport has become a joke. The process is slimy, and many are calling the sport broken, but Kiffin has heard worse throughout a career spent testing boundaries and irritating traditionalists.
In this no-holds-barred era, yelling at your smartphone does not secure championships. Talent does. Kiffin's critics are concerned about what college football has become, but the LSU coach is focused on winning within it. The Tigers are already building a strong roster, and with Wright and Tuihalamaka on the way, they're looking to take it to the next level.
LSU's pursuit of Wright and other high-profile players will continue to spark controversy and debate in the coming weeks. The Tigers' chances of securing a championship will depend on their ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football.
Source: CBS
