Both tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris are unsigned at the college and pro levels as things stand. That is set to continue through the remainder of the 2026 season.
Wright and Harris were among the players who entered the 2026 NFL draft with their college eligibility having been exhausted at the time. Since then, an NCAA ruling granting an extra year of eligibility for high school class of 2022 has been passed, opening the door to players attempting to return to college despite having spent time on NFL offseason rosters. The ensuing firestorm initially left plenty of questions unanswered, but a degree of clarity has since emerged.
Wright and Harris did not join LSU’s roster in spite of their desire to reunite with former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. A return to the NFL had already been cited as something which would not be possible in their cases. The league has since confirmed as much in a memo sent to each of its teams (h/t Tom Pelissero of The Ringer).
“The following players who were eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft returned to college and participated with their college football team after the opening of NFL training camp, and therefore, they are ineligible to visit, tryout with, or be signed by NFL clubs during the 2026 NFL season,” the memo reads (while listing Wright and Harris).
As for other players who were draft-eligible for 2026 and have returned to college, the memo directs teams to verify those cases on an individual basis. For Wright and Harris, this latest update means they will not play football at all this season (barring any other, unforeseen, developments that is). Wright’s agent Drew Rosenhaus recently noted a return to the NFL was being explored. He confirmed (via Mark Maske of Front Office Sports) legal options are still being explored at this time.
The NFLPA issued a statement (via Maske and Amanda Christovich) saying it will “explore all options to ensure each players’ rights are protected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement.” Regardless of how that plays out, Wright and Harris are now set to turn their attention to a potential NFL return as free agents next offseason.
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