Oregon coach Dan Lanning opposes NFL players returning to college football

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has expressed strong opposition to the trend of players returning to college football after being part of NFL rosters. The debate follows a Louisiana court ruling that allowed certain athletes, who were previously on NFL contracts, to maintain college eligibility.

Lanning cited concerns regarding roster management and fairness to current student-athletes. He noted that because teams operate under strict roster limits, bringing back former NFL players would necessitate removing current players who have dedicated themselves to the team throughout the spring and summer. “I don’t think that’s fair to the players that worked all summer, all spring,” Lanning stated.

The situation gained attention following reports that tight end Dae'Quan Wright may join LSU via the transfer portal after being waived by the Cleveland Browns. Wright was among the athletes involved in legal challenges regarding NCAA eligibility rules for the 2022-23 academic year.