LSU is adding another major piece to its defensive front, as former Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris is expected to join the Tigers for the 2026 season, TigerBait has confirmed.
On3's Hayes Fawcett was first to report the news Monday afternoon.
The 6-foot-8, 330-pound Harris gives Lane Kiffin and the Tigers an experienced SEC defensive lineman who started all 15 games for Ole Miss last season during the Rebels' run through the College Football Playoff.
Harris finished the 2025 season with 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. He also recorded an interception, four pass breakups and a blocked kick.
After four seasons at Ole Miss, Harris went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. The Saints waived Harris earlier this month after he had been placed on the non-football injury list.
His path back to college football opened following a recent Louisiana court ruling involving players from the 2022 recruiting class seeking a fifth season of eligibility.
Harris entered the transfer portal following the ruling and now is set to reunite with Kiffin at LSU.
He becomes the latest veteran player LSU has pursued as a result of the court action. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright is also expected to join the Tigers after being waived by the Cleveland Browns, while former Notre Dame EDGE Junior Tuihalamaka committed to LSU last week.
For LSU, Harris brings considerably more than size to the defensive line. He appeared in 54 games during his Ole Miss career and developed into a full-time starter during his senior season.
Harris also has extensive experience playing against SEC competition and should give the Tigers another proven option on the interior of their defensive front as LSU prepares for its Sept. 5 season opener against Clemson.
The addition represents another aggressive roster move by Kiffin and LSU as the Tigers take advantage of the rapidly changing eligibility landscape just days before the start of the 2026 season.
