LSU Steals Ex-Ole Miss Star DT Straight From NFL
LSU Tigers Score Two Big Veterans Just Before 2026 Season Starts
How a legal ruling and some forgiveness brought proven talent to Baton Rouge at the perfect time
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine your favorite football team suddenly gets two experienced players—right before the first game—without using a normal draft or trade. That’s exactly what happened to the LSU Tigers.
In the span of one week, LSU added:
- Zxavian Harris — A standout defensive lineman from Ole Miss
- Dae’Quan Wright — A tight end who was just cut by the Cleveland Browns
Both players are "veterans" (older, experienced guys) who got a special second chance to play college football.
How Did This Happen? The "Magic" Rule
IMPORTANT POINT
A Louisiana court ruling gave Class of 2022 recruits a temporary restraining order granting them a fifth year of eligibility. This is like getting an extra "do-over" year that normally doesn’t exist.
Why this matters:
- Usually, college players get 4 years to play
- These players already used their 4 years
- The court said: "Wait, you deserve one more!"
- LSU jumped on this chance immediately
Meet Zxavian Harris: The Defensive Force
His College Resume (At Ole Miss)
- 4-star recruit in 2022
- Breakout senior season (2025):
- 58 tackles
- 9.0 tackles for loss (behind the line of scrimmage)
- 3.0 sacks (tackling the quarterback)
- Career totals (52 games):
- 123 tackles
- 17.5 tackles for loss
- 5.5 sacks
- Invited to the NFL Scouting Combine (the big job interview for pro football)
His Brief NFL Tryout
- Went undrafted in 2026
- Signed with New Orleans Saints for training camp
- Waived (cut) on August 8
- No other NFL team picked him up → Back to college he goes!
Why LSU Needed Him Desperately
The Problem: A Huge Hole in the Middle
| Stat | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 31% of defensive line snaps returning | Only about 1/3 of last year’s experience is back |
| Ranked 79th in the country | Near the bottom for experience |
| Plan was to start 3 true freshmen | Very risky in the SEC (toughest conference) |
The Experts Were Worried
Blake Ruffino (247Sports) after watching spring practice: "It gets to a point where, those last two weeks, it was at will… I do worry about that defensive line."
Translation: The offensive line was pushing the defensive line around like they weren’t even there.
The Backup Plan Wasn’t Great Either
- Malik Blocton (from Auburn) — Experienced but not amazing stats
- Stephiylan Green (from Clemson) — Same story
- Deuce Geralds & Richard Anderson — Talented freshmen, but freshmen in the SEC trenches = gamble
The Plot Twist: Harris & Coach Kiffin Had Bad Blood
The Backstory
- Lane Kiffin was Harris’s head coach at Ole Miss
- Kiffin left for LSU before the playoffs — mid-season!
- Harris felt betrayed
What Harris Said at the Time
"It was like a slap in the face and then a backhand. We took that personally."
"He tried to be a damn announcer… trying to be a troll. He was just trying to steal our shine."
Translation: Harris was furious. He accused Kiffin of trying to steal attention from Ole Miss’s big bowl game.
The Happy Ending: Water Under the Bridge
Why They’re Working Together Now
- Money talks — LSU has "the most expensive roster in the sport"
- Championship chance — Real shot at a national title
- Modern college football reality — Don’t burn bridges; things change fast
Result: Harris brings proven SEC production to exactly the spot LSU needed help.
Bonus: Dae’Quan Wright Joins Too!
- Former Ole Miss tight end
- Briefly on Cleveland Browns roster
- Waived by Browns → Returns to college via same rule
- Kiffin pursued him aggressively (shows Kiffin "doesn’t care what you think")
What This Means for LSU’s 2026 Season
The Schedule Test
LSU faces THREE of the top 10 offensive lines in the country (per Blake Brockermeyer’s rankings).
The New Reality
| Before Harris | After Harris |
|---|---|
| Question mark at defensive tackle | Proven SEC starter |
| Relying on freshmen & mediocre transfers | Veteran leadership + talent |
| 79th in returning experience | Major upgrade in the middle |
Summary
LSU just hit the jackpot twice in one week. Thanks to a Louisiana court ruling giving 2022 recruits a 5th year, the Tigers added:
- Zxavian Harris — A 123-tackle, 5.5-sack defensive lineman who just tried out for the Saints
- Dae’Quan Wright — An NFL-caliber tight end
This solves LSU’s biggest weakness (interior defensive line) right before facing three elite offensive lines. Oh, and Harris is reuniting with Coach Kiffin despite calling his departure "a slap in the face" — proving that in modern college football, winning and money heal all wounds.
FAQ
What is a "fifth year of eligibility" and why do these players get it?
Normally, college athletes have 4 years to play. A Louisiana court granted a temporary restraining order giving Class of 2022 recruits an extra year — essentially a legal "do-over" because of unique circumstances (likely related to COVID or transfer rule changes).
Why was Harris cut by the Saints if he was so good in college?
NFL teams have limited roster spots. Being "undrafted" means no team picked him in the draft. He got a tryout (training camp) but didn’t make the final 53-man roster. Many great college players don’t make NFL teams — the jump is massive.
What does "tackles for loss" mean?
When a defensive player tackles the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage (before they gain yards). It’s a sign of a disruptive defender who beats blockers quickly. Harris had 9.0 last year — that’s elite.
Why is starting freshmen on the defensive line in the SEC so risky?
The SEC has the biggest, strongest offensive linemen in college football. Freshmen (18-19 years old) are usually physically outmatched by 22-23 year old seniors. It’s like putting a high school senior against a grown man.
Can Harris and Kiffin really work together after those comments?
In modern college football, absolutely. Players transfer to former rivals constantly. Coaches recruit players they’ve criticized. Everyone wants to win — and get paid. Harris gets a championship shot; Kiffin gets a proven defender. Both win.
Go Tigers!