Countdown to Kickoff: Zxavian Harris is the Saints Player of Day 67
Article excerpt
Undrafted rookie Zxavian Harris has the tools to be a training camp standout for the New Orleans Saints. Here's how he can earn a roster spot.
In 67 days, the New Orleans Saints will officially open their 2026 regular season. The Saints will travel north to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13 to get their year started. Wearing No. 67 as New Orleans approaches training camp is Zxavian Harris, an undrafted rookie.
A physical specimen at defensive tackle, Harris slipped out of the draft largely because of reported off-field concerns. He'll try to put that aside as he attempts to make the Saints roster. We recognize him today in our ongoing Saints Player of the Day feature.
Name (age): Zxavian Harris (22)
Hometown: Gluckstadt, Miss.
Position: Defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-foot-8, 320 pounds
College: Mississippi Rebels
Relative Athletic Score: N/A
Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
NFL experience: Rookie
2026 salary cap hit: $885,000
At Germantown High School in Mississippi, Harris was a four-star prospect heavily recruited by national powers. He'd land at Ole Miss, where he'd remain for all four years and develop into a star. Harris had 17.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks with the Rebels. His best year was his last, when he recorded an interception and 3 sacks with 9 stops for loss among his 58 total tackles.
Harris slipped out of the draft largely because of off-field issues that included arrests in 2023 and 2024 along with foot surgery that prevented him from participating in the NFL Scouting Combine. Additionally, his conditioning was also an issue throughout college along with a need to improve his leverage and overall agility. However, the Saints could also be getting themselves a dynamic diamond in the rough if he can put his issues behind him.
Zxavian Harris brings tremendous power with an underrated burst. He has the positional versatility to be disruptive from multiple spots along the defensive line along with a rare blend of size, power, and speed. If you're looking for a dark horse to stand out for the Saints in training camp, Zxavian Harris could be a smart bet.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Zxavian Harris is the Saints Player of Day 67