McVay Jokes About NFL Players Heading Back to College After Wright's LSU Move
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay joked about the surreal nature of NFL players returning to college football after Dae'Quan Wright joined LSU through the transfer portal. Wright, who had brief stints with the Eagles and Browns, was granted a fifth year of eligibility by a Louisiana judge's temporary restraining order. McVay said he felt like he 'took a gummy' when asked about the situation.
The unusual eligibility ruling stems from a Louisiana judge's temporary restraining order, which allows athletes who began college during the 2022-23 academic year to claim a fifth season despite the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule applying only to future entrants. Wright, an undrafted free agent who signed with Philadelphia and later appeared on Cleveland's preseason roster without playing, took advantage of this legal window to re-enter the college ranks. His move to LSU through the transfer portal highlights the growing intersection between professional and collegiate football, as players navigate murky eligibility rules that vary by state. McVay's lighthearted reaction underscores how unprecedented these circumstances are for coaches and executives accustomed to traditional roster pathways.
This story could reshape how athletes, teams, and fans view the boundary between professional and college sports. If similar legal challenges succeed in other states, it may create a patchwork of eligibility rules that complicates roster management for NFL teams and college programs alike. Younger players might see new options for extending their careers, while coaches could face uncertainty about player availability. The situation may also prompt broader conversations about athlete rights and the NCAA's authority, though its long-term effects remain unclear.