NFL tight end Dae’Quan Wright reportedly set for LSU after waivers, pending clearance

Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright is reportedly on track to join LSU for the 2026 college football season, contingent on him clearing NFL waivers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Aug. 23 that Wright has an agreement in place to play at LSU if he is released through the waiver process.

The move would mark a fast transition from the NFL to college football. According to the report, Wright previously signed NFL training camp deals with both the New Orleans Saints and the Browns, and his next step would be collegiate play with LSU once the waiver requirement is satisfied.

For LSU, the appeal is straightforward, at least in role and position. The Tigers would be adding an experienced tight end candidate with prior major-program production at Ole Miss, plus the added advantage of having been around NFL team structures during training camp.

The timing is the key constraint. The report frames Wright’s destination as conditional, meaning LSU’s ability to count on him depends on the outcome of the waiver window. If he does not clear waivers, the plan would change immediately, and LSU’s offseason tight end depth would be affected accordingly.

Beyond the single roster decision, the story fits a broader college football pattern in which players with a professional offseason experience sometimes look toward NCAA eligibility and scholarship opportunities after the NFL route closes or pauses. In that context, Wright’s reported agreement underscores how quickly recruiting and transfer decisions can shift when an NFL timeline compresses.

For LSU’s staff, the next items to monitor are whether Wright officially clears waivers and, once that occurs, whether he is formally enrolled and integrated into the team’s spring and summer fall preparation plans. Because the report ties the college move directly to the waiver result, the waiver outcome will likely be the only gating factor in the short term.

If the waiver clearance happens as expected, LSU would add a tight end who can potentially contribute in the passing game while also giving the staff flexibility in formations. The Tigers’ coaching staff and offensive plan will determine how quickly he fits, but the position need and the conditional timing make his clearance the central storyline to watch.