Wright and Harris Will Join UFL for 2027 Season
The UFL confirmed that the players are eligible to participate in the upcoming season beginning in April 2027.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
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The UFL announced that Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are cleared to play in the league for the 2027 season starting in April. This decision follows their exclusion from the NFL for the 2026 season due to ongoing eligibility conflicts.
Why it matters
The athletes were sidelined from both NFL and college rosters after a high-profile legal dispute regarding eligibility rules. Their transition to the UFL offers a path to continue their professional careers following their departure from the NFL and the collapse of a potential return to LSU.
UFL players receive a minimum of $64,000 per full season, significantly less than the NFL's $885,000 minimum rookie salary or the $13,000 weekly rate earned by NFL practice squad players.
The players
Dae'Quan Wright
He is a professional football player who was previously signed to the Cleveland Browns before being waived.
Zxavian Harris
He is a professional football player who was formerly a member of the New Orleans Saints.
LSU
This is a public research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that faced sanctions from the SEC for attempting to roster the players.
SEC
This is a major collegiate athletic conference that threatened to expel LSU over the roster dispute.
The details
Wright, formerly waived by the Cleveland Browns, and Harris, released by the New Orleans Saints in early August, previously challenged NCAA age-based eligibility policies through a Louisiana state lawsuit. Their efforts to return to LSU were blocked when the SEC threatened to expel the university if the school rostered the players.
Timeline
In early August 2026, Zxavian Harris was waived by the New Orleans Saints.
During August 2026, both players joined a Louisiana state lawsuit challenging eligibility.
In September 2026, the NFL prohibited teams from signing the players for the 2026 season.
The 2027 UFL season begins in April 2027.
Season Trajectory
The entry of these players into the UFL alters the league's competitive balance as they prepare to be undrafted free agents for the 2027 NFL season. This move serves as a bridge for the athletes while they navigate the aftermath of their exclusion from the NFL and college ranks.
As undrafted free agents for the 2027 NFL season, both players must now maintain their professional readiness within the UFL salary structure. This ensures they remain in the talent pool for future NFL scouting cycles despite the current ban.
The takeaway
This development highlights the ongoing tension between collegiate eligibility rules and the professional aspirations of young athletes. It demonstrates how alternative leagues provide necessary continuity for players excluded from traditional NFL pathways.
What happens next
The UFL season is scheduled to begin in April 2027, which will mark the official return of these athletes to professional play.
Further reading
Find more updates on the Football league and player movements.
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Will professional developmental football leagues successfully provide meaningful long-term career paths for NFL-excluded athletes?
