Since the first college football game was played in 1869 all the way until the start of this August, a period of more than 150 years, it was believed that no player had ever signed a contract with an NFL team only to go back to college.
In a span of roughly 24 hours, Lane Kiffin is attempting to manage the feat twice.
Former Mississippi defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, who had signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints before being waived earlier this month, is reportedly expected to join Kiffin at LSU, per CBS Sports.
The anticipated move comes one day after the Tigers came to an agreement with former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright after he had been waived by the Cleveland Browns. If Wright clears waivers, he’ll be able to join his former coach at LSU.
As a senior last season, the 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackle started all 15 games for the Rebels while helping lead the team to a school-record 13 wins and a run to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Harris finished the season with 58 tackles and three sacks. A Mississippi native, Harris had spent each of his previous three college seasons playing for Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Like Wright, Harris was part of a lawsuit that ended with a Louisiana judge granting a temporary restraining order against the NCAA to a group of class of 2022 recruits who were seeking a fifth year of eligibility.
During a media availability on Monday, Kiffin defended his recruiting strategy of adding fifth-year players while not specifically citing players such as Wright and Harris, who have yet to officially sign with the program.
"Through (players) winning injunctions and entry into the portal, they are available to recruit,” Kiffin said. “Ourselves and many places around the country are recruiting them... Because of the rulings, they are going to play for you or someone else. We made the decision to recruit them. It’s wrong to be critical of these kids. They were granted a fifth year and a judge said they were wronged."
At LSU, he’ll join a team that was picked 13th in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll heading into its first season under Kiffin, who went 55-19 in six years at Ole Miss.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: LSU, Lane Kiffin to add second NFL player to roster in DT Zxavian Harris
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