LSU is moving forward with a full football roster—and Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are not part of the final additions.
According to the ESPN report supplied for this story, Pete Thamel reported Tuesday that cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford will fill the Tigers’ last two spots on their 105-man roster. The decision closes the openings that had kept alive the possibility of adding Wright and Harris.
For fans following the LSU–SEC confrontation, that is a major development. However, a completed roster should not be confused with confirmation that the legal dispute has ended.
Who received LSU’s final two roster spots?
Anding and Reliford are returning LSU players. The ESPN report says both were left off the opening roster after spring injuries. LSU began the season with 103 players listed, leaving two openings before Tuesday’s decision. ESPN’s roster report
The additions give those places to players already familiar with the program.
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | Experience entering 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Anding | Cornerback | 5-foot-11 | 174 pounds | Second year at LSU |
| Gabriel Reliford | Defensive end | 6-foot-3 | 265 pounds | Third year at LSU |
Measurements and experience come from LSU’s official biographies for Anding and Reliford.
Anding appeared in eight games in 2025, working primarily on special teams. He recorded two tackles and played 92 special teams snaps. The former Ruston High School standout offers another developing option in the secondary.
Reliford brings more defensive experience. LSU lists 17 career appearances, one start, 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and a half-sack entering the season. He received a redshirt after a shoulder injury shortened his 2025 campaign to four games.
Their inclusion adds depth, although a roster designation alone does not establish either player’s immediate game availability or workload.
What happens to Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris?
Wright, a tight end, and Harris, a defensive lineman, were the proposed additions at the center of the controversy over players returning to college after signing professional contracts.
The reported roster decision means LSU is proceeding without adding them to the two available places. It does not announce their next destination or resolve every question about their individual eligibility.
That distinction matters: an opportunity to compete under a court ruling and an actual place on a team’s roster are separate issues. Tuesday’s news addresses LSU’s personnel decision.
Does this end LSU’s dispute with the SEC?
The available reporting does not establish that the entire dispute is over.
The SEC’s actions had expanded beyond the immediate question of whether Wright and Harris would play. Reporting on its amended federal complaint described a request to protect conference governance and a Thursday meeting concerning LSU’s membership. Reuters/Field Level Media report on the SEC proceedings
The roster development could reduce the immediate confrontation over fielding these two players. That is an assessment of its practical effect, not confirmation of a settlement, dismissal or canceled meeting.
As of this article’s research, no verified dismissal order, settlement announcement or SEC statement ending the proceedings had been identified. Those developments would need separate confirmation before describing the conflict as resolved.
What the decision means for Lane Kiffin and LSU
From a football perspective, the Tigers can direct more attention toward the players on their completed roster. The remaining openings are no longer a daily source of speculation about Wright and Harris.
Anding and Reliford also give this development a football dimension beyond the legal headlines. Both have experience inside the program, and their return to the roster creates opportunities for contributions in the secondary, along the defensive front and on special teams.
From an institutional perspective, LSU’s next step depends on what the conference and the courts do. The roster choice may create room for tensions to ease, but it does not tell fans whether either side has changed its broader position.
What LSU fans should watch next
Three developments would clarify where this story goes:
- An official LSU explanation of the roster decision and the school’s position.
- An SEC announcement addressing the planned membership discussion or potential sanctions.
- A court filing or ruling showing whether claims have been withdrawn, resolved or remain contested.
For now, the strongest supported headline is that LSU filled its roster without Wright and Harris. The Tigers have made a personnel decision; the final outcome of their SEC confrontation still requires confirmation.
Tiger fans: Did LSU make the right call by giving the final two spots to Anding and Reliford?
Publication note: This is a developing story. Verify any subsequent court or SEC announcement before publishing a headline declaring the dispute over.
