How Dae’Quan Wright Can Go Back to College Football Despite Playing in NFL

Dae’Quan Wright spent time on the Eagles and the Browns roster.

How Dae’Quan Wright Can Go Back to College Football Despite Playing in NFL

Dae’Quan Wright (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Cleveland Browns rookie and former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright entered the NCAA transfer portal this week to find a new college team for the 2026 season. Wright isn’t the only one.

Wright managing to pull this off, playing college football after signing a professional NFL contract, once seemed impossible. Wright made it possible after a Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order centering around the NCAA’s five-year eligibility clock.

Back in 2022, District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted an extended year of college eligibility to athletes who hadn’t signed their pro contracts. Even though Sweeney clarified in early August that NCAA rules would still apply to players who have signed NFL contracts and are ineligible to return to college.

In the meantime, this Louisiana Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has given players a short and yet significant window to enter the transfer portal and find new teams. Rookies, on the roster bubble and most likely to be cut on 53-man roster locking day, are viewing this window as a great opportunity to clock playtime and earn NFL money.

Dae’Quan Wright went undrafted in 2026. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Wright as an undrafted free agent but later waived him. The Cleveland Browns brought Wright in to bolster their tight end depth. However, the Browns had no option but to waive Wright, as he is hell-bent on playing college football.

When asked about Wright, Browns head coach Todd Monken revealed that LSU coach Lan Kiffin tried to contact him a while ago.

Ain’t this [ ] crazy? I mean, I don’t even know what to say. As far as I know, [Wright] had a medical issue… Then he was cleared, so we dressed him just in case we had to have him, but when you don’t rep it’s hard to put him on the field… I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. [ ] I didn’t know; now I know. I didn’t call him back; I guess now I should’ve.

Monken told USA Today

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dae’Quan Wright could become the first player to play for an NFL team and then go back to play in college.

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Who is Dae’Quan Wright?

Dae’Quan Wright grew up in Perry, Georgia. After graduating from high school, he committed to play for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The four-star prospect spent two years with VT, racking up 113 catches for 1,603 yards.

How Dae’Quan Wright Can Go Back to College Football Despite Playing in NFL
#8 Dae’Quan Wright (Image via Yahoo Sports)

In 2024, he transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels. During the week nine game against Oklahoma, Wright caught three passes for 54 yards in a famous win.  Wright tallied 1,029 yards with the SEC side and declared for the 2026 NFL draft.  

After going undrafted, he had a tryout with the Eagles. The NFC side was pleased by his physicality and speed, so they signed him to a UDFA contract. However, the Eagles waived him during camp. The Browns claimed him off waivers. He played a few snaps in the preseason, but the Browns released him so that he could return to college.

On Sunday, August 23, On3.com announced that Wright has committed to the LSU Tigers.

Who are the players looking to follow the same path as Dae’Quan Wright?

Wright wasn’t the only athlete to file a lawsuit against the NCAA and win. Former Seattle Seahawks and SMU running back TJ Harden has also entered the portal. Harden has 2,445 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his college career.

Former LSU edge Jack Pyburn, who recorded a couple of sacks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has opted to continue his career in college.

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