Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called the possibility of former pros returning to college football 'embarrassing' and a 'joke' for the sport. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
On Wednesday, Swinney spoke ahead of Clemson's season opener against No. 11 LSU, calling the decision 'embarrassing'. 'I just think it's embarrassing where we're at in college football — and we've been there for a while, so,' he said.
Former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright began practicing at LSU this week, but due to the NCAA's acclimatization protocol, he is not expected to play this week. Whether Wright or other players who spent part of this offseason with NFL clubs — including defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and defensive back Blake Cotton — will ever play for LSU or anyone else remains undecided.
All Power Four conferences, along with three of the Group of Six conferences, have barred pro players from returning to college football. That stance has resulted in court challenges.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, who left Ole Miss for LSU this offseason, has been criticized for the school's decision to actively recruit former NFL players. He defended the decision Monday by saying his decisions are made in 'the best interest of the players that sit in this team room and not for my reputation.' He added that if college players are being paid like professionals, he is willing to make the case that college teams should be able to make late roster additions, declaring: 'This is how the real world works.'
Swinney said he has only met Kiffin once and has no issues with him. He also said he doesn't blame players for trying to find a home and continue their careers after being cut from NFL rosters. But he made it clear that he's frustrated with the lack of governance in college football. 'I mean, it's a joke,' Swinney said. 'And when you enforce rules, somebody just goes and finds a judge to say, "No, you can't enforce that rule." Never did I think I'd be living in an era like this ... but that's where we are.'
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian this week said bouncing a college student for someone who was on an NFL roster is unfair.