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A few numbers on the two “Professional NFL players” LSU is trying to sign
Posted on 9/3/26 at 11:46 am
Posted on 9/3/26 at 11:46 am
I was previously unaware of some of the actual financial and performance numbers behind Wright and Harris' esteemed NFL careers, so just sharing the specifics.
Dae'Quan Wright: $25K signing bonus, $50K total guaranteed/actual NFL earnings. Cut by Philly before its first preseason game, claimed by Cleveland, didn't play in either Browns preseason game, then cut again. NFL snaps: 0. Current On3 annual college NIL valuation: $530K.
Zxavian Harris: $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed, $0 listed NFL contract earnings. Recovering from foot surgery, never participated in a single Saints practice and was cut from before the preseason. NFL practices: 0. NFL snaps: 0. Current On3 annual college NIL valuation: $770K.
One other fact I really hadn't seen mentioned much: the court order requires them to PAY BACK whatever professional money they received before they can play in college.
And compare that to some of the other 2022 guys getting fifth years. Cole Hutson (Texas) went to Cowboys and Browns rookie minicamps. Trent Hendrick (UCLA) went to Browns and Chiefs minicamps. Alex Afari (Kentucky) practiced at Packers rookie minicamp. Sterling Webb (Missouri) practiced at Bills rookie minicamp. None got contracts, so they can potentially play college football in 2026.
That's apparently the line: not whether you ever played in the NFL, or even practiced in the NFL, but whether somebody handed you a bottom-of-the-roster UDFA contract. Wright got one worth $50K guaranteed; Harris got one worth $0 guaranteed and never even practiced. Both signed at a time when the NCAA was telling them their college careers were already over, and they'd have to return the money before being able to return to college. Good thing we're drawing the line there. Wouldn't want a $0-guaranteed, zero-practice NFL veteran threatening the “integrity of college sports.”
Dae'Quan Wright: $25K signing bonus, $50K total guaranteed/actual NFL earnings. Cut by Philly before its first preseason game, claimed by Cleveland, didn't play in either Browns preseason game, then cut again. NFL snaps: 0. Current On3 annual college NIL valuation: $530K.
Zxavian Harris: $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed, $0 listed NFL contract earnings. Recovering from foot surgery, never participated in a single Saints practice and was cut from before the preseason. NFL practices: 0. NFL snaps: 0. Current On3 annual college NIL valuation: $770K.
One other fact I really hadn't seen mentioned much: the court order requires them to PAY BACK whatever professional money they received before they can play in college.
And compare that to some of the other 2022 guys getting fifth years. Cole Hutson (Texas) went to Cowboys and Browns rookie minicamps. Trent Hendrick (UCLA) went to Browns and Chiefs minicamps. Alex Afari (Kentucky) practiced at Packers rookie minicamp. Sterling Webb (Missouri) practiced at Bills rookie minicamp. None got contracts, so they can potentially play college football in 2026.
That's apparently the line: not whether you ever played in the NFL, or even practiced in the NFL, but whether somebody handed you a bottom-of-the-roster UDFA contract. Wright got one worth $50K guaranteed; Harris got one worth $0 guaranteed and never even practiced. Both signed at a time when the NCAA was telling them their college careers were already over, and they'd have to return the money before being able to return to college. Good thing we're drawing the line there. Wouldn't want a $0-guaranteed, zero-practice NFL veteran threatening the “integrity of college sports.”
3
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:01 pm to Tiger of the Shire
quote:
Zxavian Harris: $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed, $0 listed NFL contract earnings. Recovering from foot surgery, never participated in a single Saints practice and was cut from before the preseason. NFL practices: 0. NFL snaps: 0. Current On3 annual college NIL valuation: $770K.
How would he be materially different than the guy at Texas?
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:02 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
How would he be materially different than the guy at Texas?
That's the fun part. It's not!
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:05 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
How would he be materially different than the guy at Texas?
Minicamp vs Training Camp which is of course patently absurd
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:07 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
How would he be materially different than the guy at Texas?
Signed some sort of contract maybe and the Texas guy didnt
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:12 pm to ProjectP2294
Are there any photos of Zxavian in an NFL uniform? What about Cole Hutson? lets use that arbitrary line
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:13 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
How would he be materially different than the guy at Texas?
Cole Hutson explaining his NFL career to his grandkids: "I had multi-day tryouts, wearing the jerseys and helmets while practicing with both the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. In the end, it didn't pan out."
Zxavian Harris explaining his NFL career to his grandkids: "I once signed a sheet of paper which included the Saints logo. In the end it didn't pan out."
I'd rather have Cole's "NFL career" myself.
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:20 pm to Tiger of the Shire
Good info. You mind citing your source on this? I’d like to dig into it a little. 
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:37 pm to GeauxldMember
quote:
Good info. You mind citing your source on this? I’d like to dig into it a little.
No worries, I got my information on the signing bonus / guarantees from OverTheCap. Zxavian Harris LINK. Daequan Wright LINK.
Source for Dae'Quan's lack of participation in any preseason games: LINK
Link for Zxavian Harris being waived prior to any participation in activities referencing zero snaps: LINK
On3's latest annual NIL value estimates: Zxavian LINK; Dae'Quan LINK
Regarding the Aug. 19 TRO requiring termination of pro contract and repaying, this CBS article cites the specific language in the order.
The mentioned examples of some of the other college players that attended NFL mini camps and now back enrolled on college teams were from a variety of media articles that I found with some cursory online research. There are additional NFL minicamp attendees than I listed that are on current college rosters too. A quick google on each mentioned or use of AI search will help surface the articles quickly.
This post was edited on 9/3/26 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:52 pm to Tiger of the Shire
This is even more interesting according to our almighty Chatgpt overlords - Wright signed with Philly on May 1st. At that time he had no CLUE he could potentially come back to college...
| Date | Event | What it meant for Wright |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **June 23, 2026** | NCAA adopts new **five-years-within-five-years** eligibility rule | **2022 class excluded**; Wright appeared finished with college eligibility |
| **July 8, 2026** | *Wisne v. NCAA* class action filed in Colorado | First major federal challenge to the new rule; Wright was **not yet relying on this case personally** |
| **July 31, 2026** | Colorado judge grants preliminary injunction in *Wisne* and certifies nationwide Class of 2022 | **First major court ruling creating a potential fifth year for Wright's class** |
| **Aug. 1–10** | Colorado court's transfer-portal window | Covered 2022 athletes could explore returning |
| **Aug. 10/11** | NCAA asks for stay; Wright is still with Philadelphia | Wright is already deep into his NFL opportunity |
| **Aug. 11** | Wright acquired by Cleveland after Philadelphia waiver | Still an NFL player |
| **Aug. 19** | Louisiana judge issues TRO specifically protecting 33 athletes, including Wright | **This is the first court order that clearly gave Wright himself a protected path back to college** |
| **Aug. 20** | Wright enters transfer portal | He begins exercising that new opportunity |
| **Aug. 21** | Tenth Circuit stays the Colorado *Wisne* injunction | Nationwide federal protection is temporarily pulled back, but **Louisiana TRO remains** |
| **Aug. 23** | Wright agrees to return to LSU after Cleveland waiver | His college comeback becomes concrete |
| **Aug. 25-ish** | SEC adopts rule barring former professionals from returning | Creates the separate LSU/SEC fight |
| Date | Event | What it meant for Wright |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **June 23, 2026** | NCAA adopts new **five-years-within-five-years** eligibility rule | **2022 class excluded**; Wright appeared finished with college eligibility |
| **July 8, 2026** | *Wisne v. NCAA* class action filed in Colorado | First major federal challenge to the new rule; Wright was **not yet relying on this case personally** |
| **July 31, 2026** | Colorado judge grants preliminary injunction in *Wisne* and certifies nationwide Class of 2022 | **First major court ruling creating a potential fifth year for Wright's class** |
| **Aug. 1–10** | Colorado court's transfer-portal window | Covered 2022 athletes could explore returning |
| **Aug. 10/11** | NCAA asks for stay; Wright is still with Philadelphia | Wright is already deep into his NFL opportunity |
| **Aug. 11** | Wright acquired by Cleveland after Philadelphia waiver | Still an NFL player |
| **Aug. 19** | Louisiana judge issues TRO specifically protecting 33 athletes, including Wright | **This is the first court order that clearly gave Wright himself a protected path back to college** |
| **Aug. 20** | Wright enters transfer portal | He begins exercising that new opportunity |
| **Aug. 21** | Tenth Circuit stays the Colorado *Wisne* injunction | Nationwide federal protection is temporarily pulled back, but **Louisiana TRO remains** |
| **Aug. 23** | Wright agrees to return to LSU after Cleveland waiver | His college comeback becomes concrete |
| **Aug. 25-ish** | SEC adopts rule barring former professionals from returning | Creates the separate LSU/SEC fight |
Posted on 9/3/26 at 12:58 pm to Tiger of the Shire
Excellent thread OP. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!
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