College Athletics Archives

LSU football players back Kiffin on ex-NFL adds before opening season vs. Clemson

Lane Kiffin said Monday he was torn about chasing former NFL rookies who want a fifth college season — especially with the SEC fighting the idea. Then his own locker room settled it.

He put the situation in front of LSU’s player leadership group: tight end Dae’Quan Wright (cut by the Browns), defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, and former Tigers edge Jack Pyburn, all recently released by NFL teams. Wright has already been practicing. So has former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka.

The vote wasn’t close. ESPN’s Heather Dinich first reported that Kiffin said every player on the leadership group was emphatic: if the additions can help LSU win, bring them.

“Every one of them was emphatic about, ‘If they can help us win, bring ’em,’” Kiffin said at his weekly news conference. One player framed it as how the NFL and the real world already work. That, Kiffin said, made him “feel a little better in the struggle.”

Kiffin’s final roster is due to the SEC on Friday, one day before LSU opens at home against Clemson. He said it’s too soon to say whether any of the late arrivals play Week 1.

He also said LSU wouldn’t have to cut anyone to add them. The Tigers are already under the 105-man cap, and season-ending injuries return those spots.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian took the opposite stance the same day. He said he isn’t refreshing court rulings all day, and that bumping a player who’s been in the building nine months so a guy coming off an NFL roster can take his place “doesn’t sit well with me. I think that’s wrong. That, morally, is wrong.”

The legal fight remains open. On Thursday in Baton Rouge, a judge will hear arguments on whether the SEC and NCAA violated the court order with new penalties tied to the pro-athlete rules. The current temporary restraining order blocks the league from punishing a school that plays a football player added after he signed an NFL (or NBA/WNBA) contract.

Those penalties are not small: a half-season coach suspension, a fine equal to 50% of the sport’s annual budget, and loss of league voting rights.

If the TRO gets tossed, Kiffin said LSU will follow SEC rules. He said there has never been a plan to play someone ineligible.

“The SEC had a stance, made a rule,” he said. “A judge felt that they couldn’t do that to the players, so we’ll be practicing, focused on Clemson… they can figure out the rest and we’ll just wait for guidance.”

Kiffin’s close: he’s lived in chaos for a long time. Controlled chaos is fine if the players understand it. He said he doesn’t make these calls to protect his reputation.

“Even if it’s a couple of players that maybe don’t even start, if it makes your team better, and it’s legal to do, and the players want it, I’ll take the hit publicly for it. That’s my job.”

Arkansas Lands Major Tyson Foods Partnership Featuring Jersey Patch Sponsorship

The Arkansas Razorbacks are stepping deeper into the modern business era of college sports.

Arkansas announced a five-year partnership with Tyson Foods that will place the company’s logo on uniforms across all Razorbacks athletic programs beginning in 2026, a move first noted by On3Sports’ Steve Samra. The agreement represents one of the most comprehensive jersey sponsorship deals in college athletics since the NCAA recently allowed programs to sell patch placements. (Source)

NIL Opportunities Central to the Agreement

Beyond uniform branding, the structure of the deal places a major emphasis on athlete compensation.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said approximately 90 percent of the revenue generated from the partnership is expected to flow directly to Razorbacks athletes through name, image and likeness opportunities tied to Tyson Foods.

“The intention is that every student-athlete will be positively impacted by this partnership,” Yurachek said. “That was really important to Mr. Tyson and Donnie King, their president and CEO, and Kristina Lambert, their chief growth officer. And it’s really important to us as well.”

Yurachek described the agreement as “the largest true sponsorship agreement in college athletics right now,” highlighting its potential impact across the department.

Financial Details Remain Private

Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

However, Tyson Foods chairman John Tyson addressed speculation about the value of the partnership.

“It’s not $100 million, let’s put it that way,” Tyson told CBS Sports.

Even without exact numbers publicly released, the structure of the agreement could make it one of the most influential NIL-driven sponsorship models currently operating in college sports.

“The game’s changing so quickly,” Tyson added. “NIL sponsorships, funding for universities — the model is moving really, really quickly.”

Branding Extends Beyond Jerseys

The partnership reaches far beyond uniform patches.

Tyson Foods will receive branding placements across Arkansas athletic facilities, including courts and playing fields, while also becoming the “Official Protein of the Razorbacks.”

The company also plans to involve Arkansas student-athletes in brand ambassador programs. Those marketing roles will serve as the primary vehicle for NIL compensation tied to the agreement.

A Growing Trend in College Athletics

Arkansas becomes only the second major college program to announce a comprehensive all-sport jersey sponsorship since the NCAA approved the concept earlier this year.

LSU Tigers reached a seven-year jersey patch agreement with Woodside Energy in February. Meanwhile, UNLV Rebels signed a five-year, $11 million deal with Accesso Biologics in December.

NCAA rules allow programs to sell up to two jersey patch sponsorships, though Yurachek indicated Tyson Foods will serve as the exclusive partner across all Razorbacks teams.

“Mr. Tyson and I had some conversations about how this might look specific to men’s basketball, and then that opened up a broader conversation for the inclusion of all 19 of our sports,” Yurachek said.

Local Ties Driving the Partnership

Tyson Foods, headquartered in nearby Springdale, has longstanding ties to Arkansas and the surrounding region.

Yurachek said the company’s involvement reflects both its regional connection and its commitment to supporting Razorbacks athletics.

“I think they’re stepping up and really want to show their support,” Yurachek added. “Hopefully, that support encourages others to continue to support at an even higher level than they already are.”

A Model for the Future

With NIL compensation, brand integrations and jersey patches spread across 19 sports, the Arkansas–Tyson partnership could serve as a blueprint for future sponsorship structures in college athletics.

As schools continue navigating the evolving NIL landscape, agreements like this highlight how universities and corporate partners are beginning to reshape the financial model supporting student-athletes.