WYFF: Legal expert breaks down potentially impact of LSU SEC lawsuit

Emily Staker provided legal insight to WYFF in Greenville, S.C., about the SEC filing a lawsuit against LSU after the school let a former NFL prospect join the team.

By NATE STANLEY

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Thursday afternoon, the Southeastern Conference filed a lawsuit against LSU after the school let a former NFL prospect join the team after his time at the Cleveland Browns' training camp.

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The SEC's lawsuit alleges LSU recruited and rostered players that, at one point, had NFL contracts with the Browns, Buccaneers, and Saints, and played during training camp this offseason.

"I just think it's kind of embarrassing to have to pull out a grown man who's already made it to the league to try to compete with 18-year-olds or 17 year olds who have who are trying to now make their chance," says Clemson fan Sean.

Current SEC rules bar players who have chosen to leave college and attempt a professional career. However, attorney Emily Staker, a recent update to eligibility rules, lets players play in 5 seasons within 5 years and has opened the floodgates of confusion.

"I can empathize with them in their position. They were not left with any other option but to go pro. And now they are precluded from the benefits of this 5 or 5 model. There is certainly validity in that argument, but what we're seeing now is the SEC is really taking a stand with LSU, it's own member.

"Really, the basis of what they're saying is 'We have a duty to protect the quality of our product and our mission, and your actions by taking on professional athletes to your roster, undermining what we here at the SEC are trying to preserve" Staker says.

We asked Staker what this could mean for the ever-changing college football landscape.

"When people talk about how this is going to have a cascading effect, I don't necessarily believe that that's true. I do not think that we are going to see future years where athletes go pro and come back. This is very much a timing issue, unique to this year and to the class of 22," she says, "It is something that ultimately it's going to be up to lsu to decide which hill they're going to die on here. But it's certainly not going to be without a fight against the SEC."

Late Thursday night, a court ruled that LSU would be able to field those players.