The NFL is shifting gears on defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. After initially ruling Harris would not be eligible to sign with a professional team this season, the NFL reversed course Monday, telling teams Harris is an eligible free agent.
The league reportedly sent a memo to all 32 teams announcing that news, per NFL Network.
The NFL sent this memo to clubs regarding the decision to reinstate Zxavian Harris’ eligibility for the 2026 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/4yeVT1Focn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 12, 2026
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Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright found themselves the subject of controversy in September, when both men attempted to join Lane Kiffin at LSU despite spending time with NFL teams over the summer.
After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, Harris signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints. He was waived by the team in August, however. Wright spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns before he was waived in late August.
With their NFL futures in jeopardy, Harris and Wright decided to see if they were eligible for a fifth year of college so they could play for LSU. That kicked off multiple contentious back-and-forths between Harris, Wright, LSU, the SEC and the NCAA.
In the end, LSU decided it wasn’t worth risking the ire of the SEC and left both Harris and Wright off its roster.
The NFL then issued its initial ruling on both players, deeming them ineligible to sign with NFL teams in 2026 after attempting to return to college football.
Harris, however, had that decision reversed Monday after the NFL determined he did not participate in a single practice or game with LSU. Because of that, the league decided to make Harris an eligible free agent. Wright was not mentioned in the league’s memo and remains ineligible to sign with an NFL team.
Now that he’s eligible, it’s unclear whether Harris will be signed by any team. Prior to his attempt to return to college, Harris was clearly on teams’ radars, but was not good enough to make a final 53-man roster. Because of that, it’s possible Harris draws attention as a possible practice squad player.