Dae’Quan Wright is heading back to college football, and for Ole Miss fans the news lands with a familiar mix of pride and what-might-have-been.
Agents confirmed Sunday that the Cleveland Browns will waive the tight end, clearing the path for him to join Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers for the 2026 season if he clears waivers.
Wright, who spent his final two collegiate seasons in Oxford, is believed to be the first player to ink an agreement to return to the college ranks after signing with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent.
Wright arrived at Ole Miss after earlier stops and quickly became a reliable target in Lane Kiffin’s offense. In 2025 he hauled in 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns, providing the Rebels with a big, physical presence in the middle of the field and in the red zone.
Those two seasons in Oxford solidified his reputation as a productive pass-catcher and a hard worker who bought into the program’s culture. Many in the Rebel Nation still remember the touchdowns and the two-point conversions that helped swing close games.
After going undrafted, Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and later was claimed by the Browns. He never appeared in a preseason game for Cleveland and spent more than a week sidelined by injury, though he dressed for the second preseason contest.
The legal landscape shifted dramatically when a temporary restraining order allowed him and other athletes to pursue an extra year of eligibility.
Wright entered the transfer portal, and Kiffin, now the first-year head coach at LSU, moved quickly to bring his former tight end south to Baton Rouge.
For Ole Miss supporters the development carries a double edge. Wright’s production and presence were assets during his time in Oxford, and seeing him thrive again is something most fans will quietly root for.
At the same time, the knowledge that he will now line up for a conference rival under the same coach who once led the Rebels adds a layer of complexity. Kiffin’s reach-out to Browns coach Todd Monken weeks earlier only underscored how intentional the reunion was.
Wright’s path is still not fully settled until the waiver process concludes, yet the intent is clear. A player who helped define Ole Miss’s recent tight-end production is set to continue his career at LSU.
Rebel fans can look back on those 2024 and 2025 seasons with appreciation for what Wright delivered in Oxford while watching to see how his next chapter unfolds.
