With less than two weeks remaining before hosting Clemson in its Sept. 5 season opener, LSU continues making roster moves following recent legal rulings regarding athlete eligibility.
Head coach Lane Kiffin’s program received a commitment from former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who spent part of the summer in NFL training camp with the New Orleans Saints. The 6-foot-8, 335-pound interior lineman went undrafted in April before being released by New Orleans early in camp.
Harris stands among 16 college athletes granted an additional season of eligibility by a Louisiana court ruling, allowing players previously in professional camps to enter the transfer portal. During the 2025 campaign at Ole Miss, Harris started all 15 games, recording 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, four passes defended, an interception, and a blocked kick.
Addressing the additions, Kiffin defended LSU’s active recruitment of players made eligible through court injunctions.
“At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play somewhere else around the country,” Kiffin said. “We made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are.”
Reunion and Roster Dynamics
The commitment establishes a notable reunion between Harris and Kiffin. Following Kiffin’s postseason departure from Ole Miss to take the LSU head coaching position, Harris publicly criticized the decision, labeling the move a “slap in the face.”
“We got something for him,” Harris said at the time. “He was just trying to steal our shine. That’s all he tried to do. That’s all he’s been trying to do.”
In addition to Harris, LSU secured a commitment from former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright. Wright spent time on NFL rosters with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns this offseason before being granted eligibility under the same Louisiana court ruling.
SEC Eligibility Rules and Opener Outlook
Despite the commitments, neither player’s availability for Week 1 against Clemson is guaranteed. Southeastern Conference regulations prohibit student-athletes from executing intra-conference transfers outside designated portal windows. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey recently issued a memorandum reminding member institutions of the rule.
As head coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson finalize preparations for the Sept. 5 opener in Baton Rouge, the Tigers face the prospect of encountering a restructured LSU roster featuring added SEC and NFL camp experience.
