An NFL player is reportedly considering returning to play in the NCAA

The Cleveland Browns have placed tight end Dae'Quan Wright on waivers, a decision that could lead to an unprecedented situation in American football.

According to his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln, the player has reached an agreement to return to college football with the LSU Tigers in 2026, provided he is not claimed by another NFL team.

This situation is particularly surprising, as Wright would become the first player to have signed as an undrafted free agent in the NFL before being given the opportunity to return to play in the NCAA. After the draft, he initially joined the Philadelphia Eagles before being claimed by Cleveland on August 11.

However, Wright did not play in any of the Browns' first two preseason games. Although he had been absent from practice for over a week, he was still listed on the game
roster against the
Buffalo Bills. Head coach Todd Monken clarified that the player did not participate in the game due to an injury.

A Return to LSU Made Possible by a Legal Battle

Dae'Quan Wright's situation stems directly from a recent legal dispute over college eligibility. The player registered on the transfer portal after he and several other athletes involved in a lawsuit in Louisiana obtained a temporary restraining order allowing them to play one additional college season.

Wright had previously played under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss in 2024 and 2025. Last season, he had a productive campaign with 39 receptions, 635 yards, and five touchdowns. With Kiffin now the head coach at LSU, a reunion could happen soon.

The tight end had graduated in 2022, and his NCAA eligibility had officially ended after last season. However, he was challenging the eligibility rules that prevented him from immediately benefiting from the new policy granting Division I athletes more time.

U.S. courts have since issued several conflicting rulings regarding this fifth season. Although an appeals court granted the NCAA a stay, some rulings by state courts still allow several players to continue their college careers.

For Wright, the future could therefore take an extraordinary turn: moving from the NFL to the NCAA, then attempting to return to the pros after an additional season at LSU.

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