NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Ole Miss DL Zxavian Harris

Matt HolderFeb 2, 2026

At 6'8" and 330 pounds, Zxavian Harris is a massive defensive tackle with the size and flashes of strength to intrigue defensive line coaches as a potential Day 3 pick.

However, he plays tall and gets pushed around too much for a prospect of his build, not including significant character concerns that could take him off some teams' draft boards altogether. Harris has been previously arrested twice, once in 2023 for DUI and felony fleeing and in 2024 for domestic violence and obstructing arrest, per ESPN.

The Ole Miss product was a 4-star recruit in the 2022 high school class and received limited playing time as a true freshman. He became a part of the Rebels' defensive line rotation during the '20'23 campaign, eventually developing into a starter and accumulating 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

As a junior, the Canton, Miss., native lost his starting spot to Texas A&M transfer and Arizona Cardinals' first-round pick Walter Nolen. Ole Miss also had JJ Pegues (a Las Vegas Raiders' sixth-round pick) at defensive tackle. However, Harris was a significant contributor off the bench with 32 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

He became a full-time starter again this past season and experienced the most productive campaign of his career, racking up 56 tackles, nine TFLs, three sacks, an interception and three passes defended.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 01 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Ole Miss vs Georgia

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- Harris has great size and length, giving him a rare frame and unique traits to develop.

- When he does get his hands up against the run, he has the strength to hold his gap against base blocks and shed to make tackles in his gap.

- A good swim move that he defeat blocks with.

- Effective as the spike on run stunts, showing the physicality to catch offensive linemen off guard and create havoc in the backfield by picking off offensive linemen.

- When he doesn't win as a pass-rusher, he gets his hands up and bats passes down at the line of scrimmage.

- Experience playing several defensive line alignments. Ole Miss used Harris anywhere from a 4i-technique to a 0-tech nose tackle.

Areas of Improvement

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- During the pre-draft process, Harris must answer questions about his character and off-the-field issues after his two arrests.

- Slow off the ball. Lacks quickness and agility. Harris doesn't even have good block recognition, leading to him getting reached or scooped out of his gap. Also, he lacks the rotational strength to prevent his shoulders from getting turned against reach and scoop blocks.

- Plays tall and with little knee bend, making it difficult for him to anchor against down blocks and combo blocks.

- Doesn't have any pass-rush moves than he can win with consistently. Pad level and lack of a get-off kill his bull-rush, and he's often late with his hands when working finesse moves.

- Balance is an issue. He struggles to break down in the backfield, leading to missed tackles, and gets knocked off his path easily, ending up on the ground too much for someone of his size.