The Cleveland Browns are waiving Dae'Quan Wright, and the tight end has an agreement in place to join LSU if he goes unclaimed, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wright is slated to become the first player to join an NFL roster and later go back to college to play. He suited up for Ole Miss from 2024-25 under now-LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.
The 22-year-old was among 16 players recently granted a temporary restraining order by a Louisiana judge, allowing them to exercise a fifth year of college eligibility. The court order gave the players the option to enter the transfer portal, which Wright did after the verdict.
Among the 16 athletes were Wright and Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass-rusher Jack Pyburn, who recorded three tackles and two sacks in their preseason opener against the New York Jets. Pyburn has yet to enter the transfer portal and is still weighing his options.
Wright went undrafted in April and proceeded to sign a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, who waived him Aug. 10. He signed a deal with the Browns the following day.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was highly critical of players at NFL camps trying to return to college, calling it "unfair to the sport." Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about Wright, in particular, following their preseason contest Saturday. The pass-catcher was spotted warming up before the game.
"I mean, ain't this shit crazy?" Monken said, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I don't even know what to say. I mean, as far as I know, he's had a medical issue that wasn't allowing him to practice. ... And then he was cleared, so we dressed him just in case we had to have him. But when you don't rep, it's hard to put him on the field."
Monken added, "I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. I didn't call him back. Now I guess I should've."
In addition to the ruling in Louisiana, many other cases in various states are ongoing and could eventually grant more players an extra year of eligibility. A judge in Kentucky granted a temporary restraining order allowing former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos to enter the portal after he participated in minicamps for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.
The court battles began when the NCAA instituted a new eligibility rule allowing athletes to play college sports for five seasons. However, the eligibility rule did not apply to those who began college in 2022.
At Ole Miss, Wright finished fourth on the team in receiving yards (635) last season while racking up 39 catches and five touchdowns.
