Zxavian Harris spent the spring trying to make the New Orleans Saints roster. Less than three weeks after New Orleans waived him, the former Ole Miss defensive tackle is heading back to college football to play for a very familiar coach.
Harris committed to LSU after gaining another path to college eligibility through a Louisiana court ruling. The move reunites him with Lane Kiffin, which is notable considering Harris was one of Kiffin’s loudest critics after the coach left Ole Miss for Baton Rouge last winter.
CFB World Reacts to Zxavian Harris Joining LSU
Among the immediate reactions to Harris’ commitment were “monster pickup” and “we forgive you”, as fans noticed both the talent LSU was adding and the irony of Harris reuniting with Kiffin.
The Buckeye Nut focused on the larger trend developing at LSU. “LSU has landed commitments from TWO former NFL players in just 48 hours,” the account wrote in an X post, pointing to Harris and former Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright.
“This is absolutely crazy for college football.”
LSU has landed commitments from TWO former NFL players in just 48 hours. 🐯🤯
🏈 DL Zxavian Harris — New Orleans Saints
🏈 TE Dae’Quan Wright — Cleveland BrownsThis is absolutely crazy for college football.
Where does this go from here? 👀 https://t.co/5T15KTealD
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) August 24, 2026
Another account jokingly suggested there had been a plan all along. “Zxavian was playing the long game here,” the post read. “Said all this to catch Ole Miss fans off guard with this move.”
“Everything Ole Miss” reacted by resurfacing comments about Harris playing for Kiffin and LSU, adding, “Leaders lead. Followers follow,” in its post. Trace Girouard also joined the reaction to Harris’ decision in a separate post.
Will Echoles with some thoughts on Zxavian Harris playing for Lane Kiffin and LSU
Leaders lead. Followers follow. pic.twitter.com/Eptx28cNrK
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) August 24, 2026
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The irony comes from what Harris said after Ole Miss beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He accused Kiffin of trying to “steal our shine” after leaving the Rebels before their College Football Playoff run and described his former coach as a “troll.”
Harris Returns to College After Saints Cut
Harris went undrafted in April despite entering the draft process as a highly regarded defensive tackle prospect. New Orleans signed the 6-foot-8, 330-pound lineman as an undrafted free agent in May.
His NFL opportunity never really got off the ground. Harris underwent foot surgery in March, did not practice or play a preseason snap for New Orleans, and was waived Aug. 8 when the Saints reshuffled their defensive front.
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A Louisiana judge later granted temporary relief to athletes from the 2022 high school class seeking a fifth year of eligibility, opening the door for Harris to enter the transfer portal and return to college.
Harris brings legitimate SEC production if he can get healthy. He recorded 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks during his final Ole Miss season. His 80.4 DT Impact score ranked 36th nationally in 2025.
Now he returns to the coach he once accused of abandoning and trolling his team.
College football’s new eligibility era has produced stranger paths than anyone expected.
Going from Ole Miss to a Saints roster, back to college, and straight into Kiffin’s LSU locker room is already near the top of the list.
