LSU coach Lane Kiffin alleged to have encouraged players to sue NCAA over eligibility dispute
Reports claim LSU and coach Lane Kiffin contacted NFL-contracted players to persuade them to file lawsuits against the NCAA and consider returning to college, raising questions of potential tortious interference.
College football officials say LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin reached out to several players who had signed NFL contracts, urging them to join a lawsuit against the NCAA and to return to the university. The outreach, reported by CBS Sports, allegedly included discussions with players still in NFL training camps ahead of the league’s roster cut deadline on Aug. 30.
According to the report, the contacts were intended to influence the players’ contractual relationships with their NFL teams by offering an alternative opportunity to play at LSU. Legal experts note that such actions could be viewed as tortious interference if the players attempted to terminate their NFL contracts in favor of college eligibility.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the eligibility of members of the 2022 high-school class who seek a fifth year of college play after entering the professional ranks. While no NFL team has indicated plans to file a lawsuit, the allegations suggest a strategic effort by LSU to attract talent amid competitive recruiting pressures.
"They’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play for someone else," Kiffin was quoted as saying, reflecting his perspective on player decisions.
The reports do not confirm any legal actions have been taken, and the matter remains under observation by both collegiate and professional football authorities.