Zxavian Harris Cleared to Sign With NFL Teams After College Football Bid Fails
The former Mississippi defensive lineman, initially deemed ineligible, received clearance from the NFL to pursue professional opportunities.
Defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who attempted to return to college football after signing NFL deals, has been cleared by the league to sign with professional teams this season. The NFL initially ruled Harris ineligible for the 2026 season in mid-September. However, a memo obtained by the Associated Press indicates a reversal, allowing the former Mississippi player to sign with NFL teams.
Harris's clearance follows a failed attempt to play for LSU this season alongside former college coach Lane Kiffin. He and former teammate Dae'Quan Wright had sued the NCAA and the SEC in an effort to return to college football. While a Louisiana court issued an injunction to suspend the SEC's rule barring professional athletes from returning to college play, LSU ultimately did not roster Harris or Wright for the current season.
The NFL memo stated that the league interviewed Harris and verified his activities after the start of NFL training camps. It agreed with the NFL Players Association's assertion that playing college football minimally requires participation in a practice or game for the college team. The memo does not mention Wright, suggesting his eligibility status remains unchanged.
Harris went undrafted in the spring and subsequently signed with the New Orleans Saints' practice squad. He was waived by the Saints on August 8, which preceded his attempt to join LSU. The LSU Tigers currently hold a 4-2 record this season, with notable wins against Texas A&M but losses to Mississippi and Kentucky. The team dropped to No. 22 in rankings after their defeat by Kentucky and is scheduled to host No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday.