Report: Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris charged with domestic violence, obstructing arrest

David Eckert of the Clarion Ledger reports Monday that Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris has been charged with domestic violence and obstructing arrest according to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department records.

“We were made aware of that, and we’re still gathering information on that, and I don’t have any other comment but that,” head coach Lane Kiffin said at his Monday press conference regarding the matter.

Harris was charged on Sunday and booked at 6:42 p.m. at the Lafayette County jail. Which follows a previous run-in with the law in July of 2023 after being charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, being a minor in possession, not using headlights, running a stop sign, and felony fleeing.

Harris’ 2023 incident led to him being entered into a pre-trial intervention program for his fleeing felony, a program he is now being removed from following the recent domestic violence arrest. Now placing his previous case back on the docket.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound defensive lineman is a Madison, Mississippi native who played high school football at Germantown High School. A four-star prospect ranked the No. 14 defensive lineman and the No. 112 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Harris appeared in all 13 games of his true freshman season for Ole Miss as a reserve defensive lineman and special teams contributor. Recording three tackles, half a tackle for loss, and a blocked extra point attempt before seeing an increased role in 2023.

Last season Harris appeared in 11 games and made seven starts for Ole Miss. Ending the year with 30 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and three QB hurries. Also making an impact on special teams once again with an SEC-leading 3 blocked kicks, which also ranked second in the FBS.

Harris was expected to be a key contributor on the Ole Miss defensive line this season as the tallest and heaviest member of the Rebels’ team. Joining forces up front with returning players up front like Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues along with new additions like Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen.

But given his recent arrest and previous history, Harris’ future with the program will surely be worth monitoring moving forward as Week 1 of the college football season quickly approaches.