
Ole Miss has the best defensive line in college football this season and Zxavian Harris is not getting as much credit as he deserves. The monstrous interior lineman continues to be overshadowed by Jared Ivey, J.J. Pegues, Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen even though his role in the rotation is just as important as his higher-profile counterparts.
In reality, Harris actually overshadows the rest of his teammates. Literally speaking, that is.
The Mississippi-native is listed on the official roster at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, which is actually one inch and 15 pounds less than his recorded height and weight in high school. Whether it is true or not, Harris is the second-tallest and seventh-heaviest player on the team. He is unquestionably the biggest defensive lineman.

As a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022, Harris chose the Rebels over 12 other scholarship offers. Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia and Indiana were also in the mix but it came down to the two in-state programs. Ole Miss ultimately received his commitment over Mississippi State.
Harris has recorded 22 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and one forced fumble through the first 10 games of his sophomore year. The monstrous defensive tackle was actually the highest-graded player at his position in the country on Saturday— even above Pegues and Nolen.
Highest Graded Week 11 Defensive Tackle:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 12, 2024
🔵 Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss: 94.8@OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/GLagdTWuRA
His strip during the third quarter helped to put the game away for Ole Miss.
Fumble on the play…
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 9, 2024
REBS RECOVER 🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/pre0PKISaG
Athleticism aside, Harris’ massive frame is a large part of why he is able to wreak havoc on SEC offensive lines. He is a giant human.
Ole Miss recently posted a video of Lane Kiffin’s speech at halftime of Saturday’s upset win over Georgia. It really puts Harris’ size into perspective. His presence in the back of the room is menacing.

And it’s not like the people around him are really that small…
No. 24, Ulysses Bentley IV, is 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. No. 1, Umanmielen, is 6-foot-4, 255 pounds. Zxavian Harris makes them both look minuscule while standing just about as far away as possible.
Here he is standing next to Nolen, who is 6-foot-3, 305:

That’s a very big dude!