Football player cleared to join NFL after LSU bid fails

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Defensive lineman Zxavian Harris has been cleared to sign with NFL teams after his attempt to return to college football at LSU was blocked.

Zxavian Harris, a former Mississippi defensive lineman and previously a New Orleans Saints player, has received clearance from the NFL to sign with teams in the 2026 season. The league initially ruled him ineligible in mid-September after he attempted to return to college football.

Harris had sought to play at LSU under his former college coach Lane Kiffin, joining teammate Dae'Quan Wright in the effort. The pair sued the NCAA and SEC to regain college eligibility. However, LSU ultimately left both players off its roster as the season began, citing legal uncertainties.

The SEC had passed a rule prohibiting professional athletes from returning to college, but a Louisiana court issued an injunction to block the restriction. In a memo obtained by the Associated Press, the NFL ruled that Harris could proceed to sign. The league said it had interviewed Harris and sought verification of his activities after NFL training camps began, agreeing with the players' union that 'plays college football' requires 'participation in a practice or game'. The memo did not mention Wright, suggesting his status remains unchanged.

How it is being reported

• LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is making the same mistake his predecessor did, will he suffer the same fate?Lane Kiffin's LSU is losing top Louisiana five-star recruits to Florida, Alabama, and even Nebraska, eerily mirroring the failures that sank Brian Kelly.Fox News · 15 Oct, 18:16
• Football star blocked from college return gets NFL lifeline after failed bid to play for Lane Kiffin's LSUOne of the two football players who attempted to return to college football after signing NFL deals has been given a green light to play professionally this year.Daily Mail Sport · 13 Oct, 22:03

In this story: Zxavian Harris · Lane Kiffin · Dae'Quan Wright · LSU · NFL · Mississippi · SEC

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