Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris Eligible for 2027 UFL Season After LSU, NFL Roster Saga

Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris have at least one pathway to play professionally after getting stuck in a career limbo.

Amanda Christovich and Mark Maske of Front Office Sports reported Wednesday the pair are eligible to join the UFL. Their interest in taking part in the league is unknown, though.

Wright and Harris both signed with NFL teams this spring after going undrafted. However, they sought a return to the college game once the NCAA amended its eligibility rules. Athletes are now permitted to play five seasons within a five-year window.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin attempted to bring his former Rebels players with him to Baton Rouge. Their status remained up in the air as the season was kicking off, and it was only after the Tigers' 51-10 win that school president Wade Rousse confirmed Kiffin had dropped the idea.

On Sept. 16, The Ringer's Tom Pelissero shared a memo from the NFL outlining that Wright and Harris were also prohibited from returning during the current season:

The UFL has the flexibility to make its own rulings on player eligibility. Back in June, league co-owner Mike Repole made overtures to former Cincinnati and Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby after he got stuck in a similar one-year purgatory.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton asserted this summer the UFL can be a pathway for aspiring NFL players to sharpen their game. Defensive back Sean Fresch Jr. is signed to Denver's practice squad after playing in the UFL in 2025 and 2026.

For Wright and Harris, this would present an opportunity to shake off some rust before they try to revive their NFL careers. They may decide it's not worth it given the risk of injury and how much of the UFL season overlaps with offseason NFL workouts.