OXFORD – If he’s being completely honest, Ole Miss senior defensive tackle Zxavian Harris was stunned Georgia State’s quarterback even threw the ball.
Harris was named the SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week following his Week 1 performance against the Panthers. The Germantown product racked up 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack and the first interception of his college career.
That interception came early in the third quarter off the hand of Georgia State starter Christian Veilleux. Harris stepped back from the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball and used his 6-foot-8, 330-pound frame to get in the passing lane. Harris jumped, briefly bobbled the ball before securing it and picked up a yard on the return. He then proceeded to the home sideline and dunked on the basketball hoop in celebration, bringing the goal to the ground in the process. Harris estimated it was his first interception since his sophomore year of high school.
The No. 20 Rebels begin SEC play this weekend at Kentucky, their earliest start for conference play in a full season since 2019. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC. The last four games between Ole Miss and Kentucky have been decided by three points or less, including the Wildcats’ 20-17 upset in Oxford last season.
“I was surprised he threw it to me,” Harris said with a smile. “Like, when I wrapped around, I’m looking him dead in the chest. Like, ‘OK, he’s not going to throw it to me,’ and the next thing you know … I said, ‘Oh lord, I caught it. OK, I have to run.’ I didn’t even look at the person who tackled me. I was looking at the end zone.”
Harris, a preseason third-team All-SEC pick expected to play a big role up the middle of Ole Miss’ defense this season, has started 11 games in his Rebels career and has 70-career tackles – including 10 for loss – and 3.5 sacks. He also blocked the sixth kick of his career last weekend, putting him one away from tying the SEC’s all-time record. Harris, who also played basketball in high school, was well aware of where he stands in the record books when asked about his kick-blocking prowess. His key to the art form is really quite simple: “Just go get it.”
He plans on blocking a few more in his final college season, too.
“I just need one more. I’m really trying to get like three more the rest of the season,” Harris said. “So, I’m trying to smash that record.”
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