news-engine

It’s clearly “go big or go home” for LSU coach Lane Kiffin as he continues adding former Ole Miss and NFL athletes to his 2026 roster. Monday’s commitment from 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackle Zxavian Harris truly underscored that point. Harris, an All-SEC performer in 2025, is the second former Rebel slated to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge following a Louisiana lawsuit that made 30-plus athletes eligible to return for a fifth season. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright is also expected to land at LSU if he clears waivers Monday after his release from the Cleveland Browns. Harris confirmed he’s heading to LSU on social media by reposting a report of his impending move, calling it a “business decision.” Like Wright, Harris was with an NFL team this preseason. He signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in May; he was cut on Aug. 8 because he wasn’t able to practice following a March foot surgery. Saints coach Kellen Moore said Monday that Harris never mentioned going back to college when he was cut. “I just think it's unfortunate there's no regulation to anything right now,” said Moore, whose younger brother Kirby is the head coach at Washington State. “There's kids that just work their tail off all offseason and all season long, and they have to make decisions on their roster now because of added players. “There's a challenging balancing act to this. And hopefully, there can be some leadership and some regulations developed here shortly.” Harris is the third newly eligible senior to add to LSU’s roster, following Friday’s commitment from Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka. If he’s fully healthy, Harris is a massive addition — literally and figuratively — to LSU’s defense. He had 58 tackles, including nine for loss, for an Ole Miss squad that made a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals. LSU has talent at defensive tackle, including highly touted freshmen Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson. In preseason practices, Geralds and Anderson have both taken first-string reps ahead of veterans Dominick McKinley, Stephiylan Green and Malik Blocton. Kiffin doesn’t have to overly rely on freshmen to carry the mantle in the trenches with Harris’ addition. It’s a logical move, but it does come with some surprise because of Harris’ comments following Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss. At the Sugar Bowl, Harris told ESPN that Kiffin’s departure was a “slap in the face.” Kiffin had reportedly been invited by Gov. Jeff Landry to attend the playoff contest and there were rumors he might join the game broadcast. “All he's been trying to do is steal our shine,” Harris said at the time. Apparently, things have been smoothed over, and the Tigers have added another former Rebel ahead of a Sept. 5 opener at Clemson. LSU heads to Ole Miss for Kiffin’s return to Oxford, Mississippi, on Sept. 19. Along with Harris and Wright, Kiffin added former Ole Miss athletes Princewill Umanmielen (edge rusher), TJ Dottery (linebacker), Winston Watkins (receiver) and Devin Harper (offensive lineman) via the transfer portal in January.