Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris changes a game of inches to a game of fingertips
They, the unidentifiable and all-encompassing “they,” say football is a game of inches.
An inch overthrown, an inch outside the goalposts, an inch short of a first down, etc.
But in Saturday’s game against Texas A&M, won by Ole Miss 38-35, it was a game of a fingertip – to be exact, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris’ fingertip.
The 6-7 310-pound sophomore got a fingertip on a field goal attempt by the Aggies to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Harris’ fingertip deflected the football just enough to alter its course to short and wide right.
A marvelous scene for the home team.
“I said the whole time lining up ‘I’m about to get this ball.’ I jumped and felt it tip by finger and that was that,” said Harris, who missed the previous two games in concussion protocol but started against A&M. “I was pretty happy with that.
“It hit the tips of my middle three fingers just enough. I had tipped a PAT they kicked earlier, but it went through – I didn’t get enough of it. I got enough of the field goal attempt. I enjoy being on the field goal team because every time I am out there all I am thinking is block, block, block. Get the ball.
“In junior high and high school, I blocked at least 20 kicks. I don’t know the exact number, but it was a lot.”
Harris is happy with the way things are going for him so far this season.
“They have me playing every D-Line position. I feel I fit into anything the coaches call so I know I cam going to get my share of playing time,” Harris continued.
Harris said the way things are going, with a regular rotation on the defensive line, everyone is fresh.
“We are all fresh. None of us are fatigued and that is pretty special nine games into the season,” he noted. “We have a lot of energy because our coaches take care of us and take care of our legs.”
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As a true freshman last season, Harris got significant playing time, but at times he felt he was thrown into a fire and didn’t know which way to escape.
“Everything this year is much clearer. My mindset is so much better,” he added. “I was nervous last year because there were times I didn’t know what I was doing. I know what I’m doing now. I know all the details of how to do my job.”
Despite missing two games this season, Harris has 20 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss including 1 QB sack with 2 passes broken up and 2 blocked kicks.
Harris knows the Reb defensive front has their hands full with Georgia’s offensive line, but he’s confident the Rebels can compete.
“They have a really good offensive line, especially their left tackle, but I feel we can play with them,” he stated.
Football can indeed be a game of inches, but for Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris, it can also be a game of fingertips.
