Former Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris tried to return to college, but was unable. Now, he is looking to make it in the NFL.
Zxavian Harris played four years of college football at Ole Miss, but went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. Harris spent the offseason as a member of the New Orleans Saints, but was cut by the team in August. This led to his attempt to return to college football, following his former coach, Lane Kiffin, to LSU. While players were granted a fifth year of eligibility, it did not apply to those who had a stint with an NFL team, leading to Harris not being eligible to return to college football. The NFL then determined that [Harris, along with Dae'Quan Wright, would not be eligible for the upcoming season](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-news-league-delivers-final-ruling-on-zxavian-harris-daequan-wright-playing-in-2026) this year due to their attempted return to college.
Now, [a memo sent to teams](https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2109751518891303421?s=20) shows that Harris is eligible to be signed by any team, per Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix.
“Clubs were previously advised by NFL Player Personnel Memorandum 122-26, dated September 16, 2026, that the following player was not eligible to be signed by an NFL club during the 2026 NFL Season because he had played college football after the opening of NFL training camps,” the memo said, referring to Harris.
“Mr. Harris has disputed the report that he played college football after the opening of NFL training camps. The NFL interviewed Mr. Harris and sought independent verification of his activities after the start of NFL training camps and agrees with the NFLPA's contention that ‘plays college football' means, at a minimum, participation in a practice (or game) for the applicable college football team. The Management Council has confirmed that Mr. Harris did not participate in an organized practice with a college football team and therefore is a free agent and eligible to visit NFL clubs and to sign an NFL Player or Practice Squad Contract with any club.”
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While Harris attempted to return to college to play for LSU, he did not participate in any practices with the team. Harris's legal team noted that since he did not participate with LSU, he should be able to sign a contract with a team to continue his football career. Now, the NFL is agreeing.
Meanwhile, his college in the league's FIS system has been changed from Louisiana State to Mississippi. There is no indication if or where Harris could be signed. Further, this did not change the status of Wright, who attempted to return to LSU with Harris.