The NFL issued a memo declaring players who left the league for college football ineligible to sign or visit teams, directly addressing the Green Bay Packers’ recent tryout of former Mississippi defensive lineman Zxavian Harris on Tuesday.
The National Football League sent a directive to club decision-makers on Wednesday clarifying that players who left the professional ranks to return to the college game for the 2026 season cannot be signed or brought in for visits. The memo follows a decision by the Green Bay Packers to host defensive lineman Zxavian Harris for a tryout on Tuesday.
Harris entered the 2026 draft cycle as one of the highest-rated undrafted free agents, standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 330 pounds, but slid out of the draft due to character concerns. Harris was arrested during his time at Mississippi for domestic violence, obstructing arrest, DUI, reckless driving, being a minor in possession, not using headlights, and running a stop sign across two separate occasions.
College Bids and Roster Decisions at LSU
After signing as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints and getting waived in early August, Harris attempted to join the football program at Louisiana State University, following former Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright, a former Cleveland Brown, also enrolled at LSU.
While Wright practiced with the team, Harris never practiced. Under pressure from the conference and other SEC programs, LSU ultimately left both players off its 2026 roster, which was finalized just 24 hours prior to the team’s opening kickoff of the season.
League Eligibility Rules and Packers’ Tryout
For weeks, the NFL has maintained that clubs are barred from signing players who chose to join non-NFL teams, placing individuals like Harris and Wright in the same category as athletes who sign with the Canadian Football League. CFL players remain ineligible for NFL contracts until both seasons conclude, meaning Harris and Wright would technically become eligible when reserve-futures deals are issued at the end of the professional season.
Despite these restrictions, the Green Bay Packers welcomed Harris for a visit on Tuesday, prompting the league office to issue its Wednesday memo. The communication emphasizes that verifying player eligibility is the sole responsibility of each individual club, with violations carrying potential club discipline, though the league has not announced any specific punishment for Green Bay.
The NFLPA Response
The National Football Players Association intends to challenge the league’s stance to secure NFL employment for both players during the current season. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich obtained a statement from the union regarding the directive.
We are aware of the memo and are in touch with each of the players’ representatives. We will explore all options to ensure each players’ rights are protected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
NFLPA, Front Office Sports statement
The Green Bay Packers have not issued a public statement regarding their decision to bring Harris in for a tryout.
