Reports: Ex-Ole Miss TE Dae'Quan Wright, in Browns camp, leads group to transfer portal

Field Level Media|published: Thu 20th August, 18:58 2026

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'quan Wright (8) makes a touchdown catch against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright took advantage of a federal judge's ruling and entered the NCAA transfer portal Thursday, according to multiple reports.

Wright, who was part of Ole Miss' College Football Playoff semifinal team last season, was one of 16 former college football players to receive an extra year of NCAA eligibility Wednesday night when a Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit filed by athletes in multiple sports against the NCAA. Seven of the 16 football players in the case had entered the portal as of Thursday afternoon, ESPN reported, but Wright was the only one in an NFL training camp.

The Louisiana ruling came after a judge in a separate case in Colorado gave high school athletes in the 2022 recruiting class a fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA is appealing the Colorado ruling. The NCAA claims that all athletes have a five-year eligibility clock, but athletes in the 2022 class whose final season was in 2025-26 did not receive a fifth year.

The players under the TRO have seven days to enter the portal. A court date in the case is scheduled for Aug. 31, ESPN reported.

Wright caught 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels in 2025. In four seasons with Ole Miss and Virginia Tech, he caught 113 balls for 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns. He signed as an undrafted free agent with Cleveland after the 2026 draft.

One of Wright's Ole Miss teammates, defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, also entered the portal. ESPN reported that the other initial entrants were former SMU running back TJ Harden, former BYU offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, former Appalachian State defensive back Ethan Johnson, and former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki.

ESPN also reported that two other players in NFL camps, Jack Pyburn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Wydett Williams Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals, can go back to school under the TRO.

--Field Level Media

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