The NFL reversed its ruling on defensive tackle Zxavian Harris on Monday, clearing him to sign with any team as a free agent after an earlier decision had blocked him from the league following his failed attempt to play college football again at LSU. The Zxavian Harris NFL eligibility ruling ends weeks of uncertainty for the former Ole Miss standout, who was declared ineligible in September when he tried to join Lane Kiffin’s roster.
What Happened
The NFL initially ruled Harris ineligible to sign with any NFL team in September, shortly after he attempted to return to college football at LSU. That decision came after Harris, a four-star recruit in the 2022 signing class, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, signed with the New Orleans Saints and was waived in August before trying to resume his college career.
Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright both tried to join LSU and Kiffin in September despite having already signed professional contracts. A Louisiana court ruling had allowed athletes from the Class of 2022 to obtain temporary restraining orders granting a fifth year of eligibility, which Harris and Wright attempted to use to get back on a college field.
LSU ultimately decided not to add either player to its roster after the SEC threatened consequences that included possible forfeiture of games, federal legal challenges and expulsion from the conference, according to CBS Sports. The SEC later filed a federal lawsuit against Kiffin, LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry and the university over the attempted move, per CBS Sports.
According to Bleacher Report, the NFL confirmed through an interview with Harris and independent verification that he never participated in an organized practice with a college football team, a key fact in reversing course on his status.
The Ruling
The NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams announcing that Harris is now an eligible free agent who can visit clubs and sign with any team’s active roster or practice squad, according to Yahoo Sports. The memo was also obtained by Front Office Sports, according to CBS Sports. Wright was not mentioned in that memo and remains ineligible to sign with an NFL team.
Harris’s Options Now
Harris enters the market as a free agent with starting experience at Ole Miss, where he recorded 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior last season. He was not good enough to make the Saints’ 53-man roster before his attempt to return to college, and Yahoo Sports noted he may draw practice squad interest now that his eligibility has been restored.
The reversal gives Harris a clean path back into the league, though the same relief does not extend to Wright, whose status remains unresolved under the NFL’s current position.
What’s Next
Harris is now permitted to visit and sign with any of the league’s 32 teams. The SEC’s federal lawsuit against LSU, Kiffin and Ausberry remains active, and no hearing date has been reported. Wright’s eligibility situation has not been addressed by the league beyond his omission from the Harris memo.
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