OXFORD — According to some predictions, Ole Miss football defensive tackle Zxavian Harris had one of the steepest falls during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Harris was not picked. Only two Rebels, wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling and offensive tackle Jayden Williams, were taken.
Unlike a handful of other Rebels who were not among the 257 selections, Harris has not signed a contract as an undrafted free agent. Offensive lineman Diego Pounds, safety Kapena Gushiken, linebacker Tahj Chambers, safety Wydett Williams, tight end Dae'quan Wright and receiver Harrison Wallace have signed with teams.
Entering the week, ESPN projected Harris as the No. 63 overall player in the draft and the No. 5 defensive tackle. He is ranked as the best player available.
Head coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss talks with a fan at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Walker Glahn poses with the Sugar Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Fans get autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Robert Edwards gets a football autographed by head coach Pete Golding at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Tammy Kennedy, left, gets a shirt autographed by Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.David Kellum, left, talks with head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Defensive lineman Will Scholes (52) signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Tiffany Hill gets a shirt autographed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Drew Denstel poses with the Sugar Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Ben Hawkins, left, and Waylon Kennon pose with the Egg Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Ricky Blitzer gets a photo of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium signed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Submarine Perkins signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Head coach Pete Golding signs autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Ole Miss’ Micah Stallworth poses with his mother Shanika Stallworth at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Andrew Levy, Terry Levy, James Levy, and Kell Levy get items autographed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Oscar Bird signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Trinidad Chambliss signs a football for fans at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro signs a newspaper clipping showing his game winning kick against Georgia, at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.John Braasch holds an autographed schedule in front of the Sugar Bowl trophy, at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Oscar Bird, left, and Lucas Carneiro hold a photo of themselves from the Rebels win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Morgan, Chance, and Henry Ragsdale pose with the Egg Bowl trophy at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Robert Edwards, left, gets a football autographed by head coach Pete Golding at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Fans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Head coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Fans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Offensive coordinator John David Baker speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss signs items at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Fans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Head coach Pete Golding signs autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Head coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.1 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.1 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.2 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterQuarterback Trinidad Chambliss talks with a fan at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.3 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterWalker Glahn poses with the Sugar Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.4 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterFans get autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.5 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterRobert Edwards gets a football autographed by head coach Pete Golding at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.6 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterTammy Kennedy, left, gets a shirt autographed by Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.7 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterDavid Kellum, left, talks with head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.8 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterDefensive lineman Will Scholes (52) signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.9 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterTiffany Hill gets a shirt autographed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.10 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterDrew Denstel poses with the Sugar Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.11 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterBen Hawkins, left, and Waylon Kennon pose with the Egg Bowl trophy at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.12 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterRicky Blitzer gets a photo of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium signed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.13 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterSubmarine Perkins signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.14 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding signs autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.15 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOle Miss’ Micah Stallworth poses with his mother Shanika Stallworth at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.16 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterAndrew Levy, Terry Levy, James Levy, and Kell Levy get items autographed at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.17 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOscar Bird signs a schedule at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.18 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterTrinidad Chambliss signs a football for fans at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.19 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOle Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro signs a newspaper clipping showing his game winning kick against Georgia, at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.20 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterJohn Braasch holds an autographed schedule in front of the Sugar Bowl trophy, at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.21 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOscar Bird, left, and Lucas Carneiro hold a photo of themselves from the Rebels win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.22 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterMorgan, Chance, and Henry Ragsdale pose with the Egg Bowl trophy at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.23 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterRobert Edwards, left, gets a football autographed by head coach Pete Golding at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.24 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterFans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.25 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.26 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterFans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.27 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOffensive coordinator John David Baker speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.28 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterOle Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss signs items at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.29 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterFans gather to get autographs from head coach Pete Golding at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.30 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding signs autographs at “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.31 / 31Fans met the 2026 Ole Miss football team during Meet the Rebels Day at the Manning CenterHead coach Pete Golding speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.Harris was projected as a third-round pick in a seven-round USA TODAY Sports mock draft released April 16. He was projected to be the first Ole Miss player selected.
Harris had three sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2025. At 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, he was an excellent run stopper who also showcased a disruptive ability in special teams as a kick blocker.
Although he was a steady contributor for the Rebels, off-the-field concerns may have taken him off some team's draft boards.
Harris was arrested and charged with domestic violence and obstructing arrest in 2024.
Harris also faced charges in 2023 of driving under the influence, reckless driving, being a minor in possession, not using headlights, running a stop sign and felony fleeing.
According to the Lafayette County District Attorney's office, Harris was entered into a pre-trial intervention program for his felony fleeing charge from 2023.
Harris participated in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he dinged former coach Lane Kiffin in an interview, but had right foot surgery after, according to The Athletic.
Harris did not participate in the Ole Miss pro day on March 18. His right foot was in a boot.
On April 27, Golding was asked during a spring practice press conference about Harris going undrafted.
"With Zay, I don't think it's how you start, it's how you finish," Golding said. "I think a lot of that could be looking at the body type and all those types of things. Zay loves football. He's tough, he's competitive. He's got a really good skillset."
Golding said Harris could benefit from not being chosen because it allows him to potentially sign with a team that is the perfect fit.
Golding said Harris will continue to develop his body, and the future is bright.
"Hopefully he gets in a room with a vet and sees it done the right way on a day-to-day basis," Golding said.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Zxavian Harris NFL draft slide explained. Why Ole Miss DT isn't UDFA