Dae'Quan Wright Could Make LSU's Tight End Room the Best In the SEC

College football in 2026 is odd.

And LSU is taking advantage of some oddities with a historic move just two weeks before the first kickoff of the season.

LSU football has landed a commitment from former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright if he clears waivers following his release from the Cleveland Browns, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Wright's path from the NFL to college football comes after he was granted a temporary injunction extending his college eligibility by another year, allowing him to enter the portal and play one final season.

If he clears waivers in the NFL and makes it to Baton Rouge, he'll have less than two weeks of practices with his new team. But the former Rebel tight end seems up for the challenge.

His presence in the tight end room at LSU would turn a top-heavy group into a deep and scary position to guard on Saturdays.

Experience Unlike Any Other

Sep 13, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorback at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wright was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent after going undrafted in April. He was then claimed off waivers by the Browns earlier in August. After not appearing in either of Cleveland's first two preseason games, he was waived by the Browns with the intention of reuniting with Lane Kiffin.

Wright hasn't practiced in over a week, but he dressed for the Browns' second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Browns coach Todd Monken said Wright has been sidelined because of an injury, not because of anything to do with his intentions to go back to college football.

Wright has spent all summer in NFL buildings working with NFL coaches and NFL players before seeing his first game time since last season in a college football game.

College football is more like the NFL than it ever has been, especially with the way Kiffin has built his programs. But actual NFL training camp experience against actual NFL players every day is something no one else can say they have.

Wright would already have been a massive addition for LSU, without the NFL experience, as he played for Kiffin at Ole Miss in 2024 and 2025. Last season, he had 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels.

The Potential for the SEC’s Best Duo

Wright will join up with preseason All-American Trey’Dez Green, one of the country’s premier tight ends.

Green is looking to take the next step in 2026 and cement himself in the LSU record books and prove himself as a first-round selection next April.

Green wants to fill the role Wright had in Kiffin’s offense last season: creating matchup problems for defenders, causing defenses to shift focus away from other opportunities on the field.

But when he is called on, he’ll make the plays.

Green is poised for a massive 2026 campaign. Wright’s addition alongside Green puts two of the SEC’s most productive tight ends last season on the field together for any set Kiffin and his staff can dream up.

The Deeper the Better

If Wright can arrive to Baton Rouge before the season starts, LSU will be able to sit on top of some serious depth at tight end.

The offseason’s No. 2 option was Pitt transfer Malachi Thomas, who has flashed some real potential this offseason while Green has demanded a massive presence in the spotlight.

For LSU, what was a position with depth concerns now has a chance to become an abundance of riches.

But for now, time, and NFL front offices, will tell if LSU will receive its newest transfer addition.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.

Add us as a preferred source on Google