Dae’Quan Wright now has the possibility of becoming the first player to return to college football after signing with an NFL team.
The unusual situation has sparked major debate, with one NFL analyst questioning the NCAA’s inconsistent approach to its rules and player eligibility amid Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter’s controversy.
Clay Travis Slams NCAA as Dae’Quan Wright Eyes Unprecedented Return to College
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly waiving Wright, but if he clears waivers, he already has an agreement in place to play for LSU in the 2026 season. The unexpected development has already generated plenty of discussion around the NFL and college football landscape.
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Meanwhile, Outkick founder Clay Travis targeted the NCAA and its rules, questioning how the organization handles various violations.
“Explain how Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has to sit two games for a $400 plane flight he repaid under NCAA rules, but players can get cut from NFL teams and go play immediately in college for new teams,” Travis wrote on X.
“If there are no rules, just admit there are no rules,” Travis added. “Don’t arbitrarily punish players for minor rule infractions while doing nothing to players for major rules infractions.”
If there are no rules, just admit there are no rules. Don’t arbitrarily punish players for minor rule infractions while doing nothing to players for major rules infractions.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 23, 2026
Travis’ criticism came amid the NCAA’s decision to suspend Carter for the first two games of the season after he accepted a $427 flight from an agent.
Carter reportedly played through a foot injury late in the 2025 season before declaring for the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the injury worsened, forcing him to undergo surgery. He eventually decided to return to Tennessee for another season.
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However, Wright’s case stands apart from Carter’s situation. While Carter faces a suspension for accepting an agent-provided flight, Wright could make an unprecedented transition from the NFL back to the college level rather than transferring from one college program to another.
The unusual situation stems from a lawsuit that Wright and a group of other athletes filed in Louisiana. The players were granted a temporary restraining order that allowed them to pursue another season of college eligibility. Wright was among 16 football players who received a temporary restraining order from the Louisiana judge.
The situation has even caught NFL coaches off guard, including Browns coach Todd Monken, who openly expressed his disbelief when asked about Wright’s situation Saturday.
“Man, isn’t this [expletive] crazy?” Monken said. “I don’t even know what to say. I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out to me a week ago; now I know. I didn’t call him back. I guess I should have.”
Wright previously played under Kiffin, who is now in his first season as LSU’s head coach, at Ole Miss during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He finished last season as a notable tight end, finishing No. 20 in the PFN Tight End Impact Ranking with an 80.6 grade.
