Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright cannot sign with, visit or work out for NFL clubs during the 2026 season after their attempt to return to college football at LSU, the league told teams in a Wednesday memo.
NFL bars Harris and Wright for 2026 season
Harris, a defensive tackle, and Wright, a tight end, had been eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft following Mississippi’s run to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. Neither was selected in the draft, and both participated in NFL tryouts during the summer.
They later sought to resume their college careers at LSU, where former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin had taken over. The players filed suit in an effort to restore their NCAA eligibility.
- Harris and Wright went undrafted after last season at Mississippi and took part in NFL tryouts.
- Both players attempted to transfer to LSU and play under Kiffin.
- The Southeastern Conference adopted a rule preventing players who had turned professional from returning to play college football.
- A Louisiana court paused enforcement of that SEC restriction.
- LSU nevertheless did not include Harris or Wright on its roster when the Tigers began their season.
- The NFL then informed its clubs that neither player may engage with an NFL team for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The league’s memo stated that the two players were draft-eligible, returned to college and participated with their college team after NFL training camps had opened. Under NFL rules, that sequence leaves them ineligible to visit, try out or sign with a club during the current season.
Teams warned to check player eligibility
Harris and Wright were the only players specifically identified in the memo. The NFL also said the notice was not intended as a complete list of every 2026 draft-eligible player who returned to college football.
Clubs were instructed to consult the league’s player personnel department if questions arise over an individual player’s status. Each team remains responsible for confirming that a player is eligible before pursuing him.
Potential punishment for an eligibility violation can include financial penalties, the forfeiture of draft picks, or both.
