Najee Harris
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Najee Harris
| image = File:NajeeHarris2022.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Harris with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022
| current_team = Los Angeles Chargers
| number = 22
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|3|9}}
| birth_place = Martinez, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 242
| high_school = Antioch (Antioch, California)
| college = Alabama (2017–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 24
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2024}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Pro Bowl (2021)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2021)
- 2× CFP national champion (2017, 2020)
- Doak Walker Award (2020)
- Unanimous All-American (2020)
- First-team All-SEC (2020)
- Second-team All-SEC (2019)
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 4,312
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.9
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 28
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 180
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 1,149
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 6
| pfr = HarrNa00
}}
Najee Mzee Harris{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris Fact Checks His Wikipedia Page |url=https://www.chargers.com/video/najee-harris-fact-checks-his-wikipedia-page |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.chargers.com |language=en-US}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɑː|dʒ|i}} {{respell|NAH|jee}}; born March 9, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Early life
Harris is from the San Francisco Bay Area. One of five children of a single mother, he grew up in several troubled neighborhoods, including time in a homeless shelter when he was in middle school before the family moved to Antioch.{{Cite web |last=Kroichik |first=Ron |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Najee Harris once was homeless. Now, he's an NFL first-round pick |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/Najee-Harris-once-was-homeless-Now-he-could-16126311.php |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |orig-year=April 25, 2021}}
Harris played high school football at Antioch High School in Antioch, California.{{Cite web |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=November 28, 2015 |title=Antioch's Najee Harris has run into national spotlight |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Antioch-s-Najee-Harris-has-run-into-national-6660949.php |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=SFGate (San Francisco Chronicle)}} As a sophomore in 2014, Harris rushed for 2,263 yards with 23 touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2015 |title=Top-ranked Antioch football player's future is bright |url=http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2015/08/18/top-ranked-antioch-football-players-future-is-bright/ |access-date=August 18, 2015 |website=East Bay Times}}{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Luke |date=October 1, 2015 |title=Antioch High School's Najee Harris leading team to new heights |url=http://www.thepress.net/sports/antioch-high-school-s-najee-harris-leading-team-to-new/article_4ab7614e-6160-11e5-a671-6be8ffa749cc.html |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=The Press |orig-year=September 22, 2015}} As a junior he had 2,744 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=August 28, 2016 |title=The Najee Chronicles |url=http://projects.sfchronicle.com/2016/najee-harris/ |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}} As a senior, he had 2,776 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Najee-Harris-62925 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=247Sports}}
=High school statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||
| colspan="10" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Missouri Tigers}}" | Antioch Panthers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||||||
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2013 | 5 | 33 | 165 | 5.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 271 | 2,263 | 8.4 | 23 | 5 | 49 | 9.8 | 0 |
| 2015 | 12 | 243 | 2,744 | 11.3 | 36 | 5 | 129 | 25.8 | 3 |
| 2016 | 13 | 291 | 2,776 | 9.5 | 34 | 15 | 260 | 17.3 | 2 |
| [https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/antioch/antioch-panthers/athletes/najee-harris/football/stats/?careerid=4iiktk31hkgdd Totals] | 41 | 838 | 7,948 | 9.5 | 94 | 25 | 438 | 17.5 | 5 |
=Recruiting=
Harris was considered the #1 recruit in the class of 2017, by Scout and Rivals. 247Sports rated him as the No. 2 overall recruit behind Jaelan Phillips while ESPN ranked him the No. 11 overall recruit.{{Cite web |title=2017 ESPN 300 |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/playerrankings/_/view/rn300/sort/rank/class/2017 |access-date=November 19, 2016 |website=ESPN}} Harris received offers from multiple top football programs including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, USC Trojans, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
He verbally committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide in April 2015, but Harris was still undecided between Michigan and Alabama up until the day before spring classes began in January 2017.Najee Harris, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNDfvgqPyHw "NFL Pro Najee Harris Fact Checks His Wikipedia Page,"] Los Angeles Chargers via YouTube.com, April 4, 2025; time=1:58–2:27 Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa persuaded Harris to join him on his flight to Alabama after the two were roommates for the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, leading to Harris’ official commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Harris was one of the most hyped running back recruits since Bryce Brown in 2009 and Leonard Fournette in 2014. Multiple recruiting experts compared him to Adrian Peterson.{{Cite web |last=Donohue |first=Tyler |date=January 24, 2017 |title=College Football's Next Big Thing: 2017 No. 1 Overall Recruit Najee Harris |url=https://1bleacherreport.com/articles/2687782 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=Bleacher Report}}
{{College athlete recruit start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2017}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Najee Harris
| position = RB
| hometown = Antioch, CA
| highschool = Antioch (CA)
| feet = 6
| inches = 3
| weight = 226
| 40 =
| commitdate = April 18, 2015
| scout stars = 5
| rivals stars = 5
| 247 stars = 5
| espn grade = 93
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| 40 =
| year = 2017
| rivals ref title = Alabama Football Commitments
| scout ref title = 2017 Alabama Football Commits
| espn ref title = ESPN
| rivals school = alabama
| scout s = 162
| espn schoolid = 130
| scout overall = 1 (RB); 1 (West); 1 (Cal)
| rivals overall = 1 (RB); 1 (Natl); 1 (Cal)
| 247 overall = 1 (Natl); 1 (RB); 1 (Cal)
| espn overall = 1 (RB); 1 (West); 1 (Cal)
| accessdate = April 13, 2016
| bball =
}}
College career
Harris played for the University of Alabama from 2017 to 2020 under head coach Nick Saban.{{Cite web |last=Marczi |first=Matthew |date=August 19, 2022 |title=Najee Harris Explains How Man-To-Man Conversation With Nick Saban Led To 'Rock Solid' Relationship After Years Of Bumping Heads |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2022/08/najee-harris-explains-how-man-to-man-conversation-with-nick-saban-led-to-rock-solid-relationship-after-years-of-bumping-heads/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}
=2017 season=
{{see also|2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football team}}
As a freshman, Harris played in all 14 games but had limited carries as players like Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, and Josh Jacobs handled the main workload.{{Cite web |title=2017 Alabama Crimson Tide Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2017.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Harris finished the season with 370 yards on 61 carries averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He scored three rushing touchdowns on the season.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/najee-harris-1/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Sports Reference}} In the national championship against Georgia, Harris had six carries for 64 rushing yards in the 26–23 victory.{{Cite web |title=College Football Championship – Alabama vs Georgia Box Score, January 8, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-01-08-georgia.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=January 10, 2022 |title=CFP national championship game by the numbers |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2022/01/cfp-championship-game-by-the-numbers-alabama-vs-georgia.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=AL.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Alabama stuns Georgia in overtime, wins national football title, 26–23 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ncaa-football-championship-alabama-beats-georgia-26-23-overtime/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
=2018 season=
{{see also|2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team}}
In his sophomore season, Harris was third running back behind Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs.{{Cite web |title=2018 Alabama Crimson Tide Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2018.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Harris started the season with a rushing touchdown in four of the first five games but did not find the endzone the rest of the season. Harris had his best game against Arkansas State, carrying the ball 13 times and gaining a career-high 135 yards.{{Cite web |title=Arkansas State at Alabama Box Score, September 8, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-09-08-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Harris played in 15 games, recording 783 yards on 117 carries and scoring four rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/najee-harris-1/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Sports Reference}}
=2019 season=
{{see also|2019 Alabama Crimson Tide football team}}
With Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs off to the NFL, Harris became the starting running back for Alabama Crimson Tide.{{Cite web |last=Zenor |first=John |date=August 20, 2019 |title=Najee Harris finally gets to be Alabama's primary runner |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/najee-harris-finally-gets-alabamas-primary-runner-154436826--ncaaf.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI4doM0PnFiJP-SwZUcz-Yyhrh_kbbvrrMAZ_vgsFJcmmjR-Wu8ll2lPz7H9H1RPufMc35SpLxpt7jCJMsTz-JHmnSRUG4_U3EzIPUvjnCU0QBU_Qd0NNQd3g8Lpym9c5PmaP99orP4tksJKD—HJT_-ogmQmSxhW4JlZSkVMssK |access-date=September 25, 2019 |website=yahoo.com}} He and Brian Robinson Jr. largely dominated the backfield production for the Crimson Tide.{{Cite web |title=2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2019.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
On September 14, Harris had two receiving touchdowns in the 47–23 victory over South Carolina.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at South Carolina Box Score, September 14, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-09-14-south-carolina.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On October 19, against Tennessee in the Third Saturday in October, he had 21 carries for 105 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 35–13 victory.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee at Alabama Box Score, October 19, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-10-19-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On November 9, against LSU, he had 19 carries for 146 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and one receiving touchdown in the 46–41 loss.{{Cite web |title=LSU at Alabama Box Score, November 9, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-11-09-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the following game at Mississippi State, Harris had four total touchdowns in the 38–7 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Mississippi State Box Score, November 16, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-11-16-mississippi-state.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the Iron Bowl against Auburn, Harris had 27 carries for 146 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the 48–45 loss.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Auburn Box Score, November 30, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-11-30-auburn.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Alabama finished with a 10–2 record and qualified for the Citrus Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2019-schedule.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the Citrus Bowl, Harris had 24 carries for 136 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 35–16 victory over Michigan.{{Cite web |title=Citrus Bowl – Michigan vs Alabama Box Score, January 1, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-01-01-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the 2019 season, Harris had 209 carries for 1,224 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 304 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/najee-harris-1/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Sports Reference}} Despite speculation that he would declare for the 2020 NFL draft, Harris announced that he would return to Alabama for his senior year.{{Cite web |last=Kercheval |first=Ben |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Alabama star RB Najee Harris decides to return to school in 2020, holding off NFL Draft |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-star-rb-najee-harris-decides-to-return-to-school-in-2020-holding-off-nfl-draft/ |access-date=January 15, 2020 |website=CBS Sports}}
=2020 season=
{{see also|2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team}}
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Alabama's season was cut to an all-conference, ten-game season beginning on September 26.{{Cite web |last=Silverstein |first=Adam |date=July 30, 2020 |title=SEC football schedule 2020: 10-game, conference-only slate begins Sept. 26 with two open dates |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sec-football-schedule-2020-10-game-conference-only-slate-begins-sept-26-with-two-open-dates/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} In 2020, Harris was the starting running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He and Robinson continued to have a large majority of the backfield carries.{{Cite web |title=2020 Alabama Crimson Tide Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2020.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the regular season opener against the Missouri Tigers, Harris had 17 attempts for 98 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 38–19 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Missouri Box Score, September 26, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-09-26-missouri.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
His best game of the season was against Ole Miss, where he attempted 23 rushes for 206 rushing yards with five rushing touchdowns in the 63–48 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Ole Miss Box Score, October 10, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-10-10-mississippi.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Against the Georgia Bulldogs he ran for 31 attempts with 152 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and 4.9 yards on average in the 41–24 victory.{{Cite web |title=Georgia at Alabama Box Score, October 17, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-10-17-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the following game against Tennessee, he had 157 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 48–17 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Tennessee Box Score, October 24, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-10-24-tennessee.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On December 5, against LSU, he had 21 carries for 145 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 55–17 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama at LSU Box Score, December 5, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-12-05-louisiana-state.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the SEC Championship, he had 245 scrimmage yards (178 rushing, 67 receiving) and five total touchdowns in the 52–46 victory.{{Cite web |title=Alabama vs Florida Box Score, December 19, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-12-19-florida.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.{{Cite web |last=Casagrande |first=Michael |date=December 25, 2020 |title=Alabama has 2 Heisman finalists, Najee Harris 5th in voting |url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/12/alabama-has-2-heisman-finalists-najee-harris-5th-in-voting.html |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=AL.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/najee-harris-1/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Sports Reference}} Alabama went 11–0 and qualified for the College Football Playoff as the #1 seed.{{Cite web |title=2020 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2020-schedule.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2020 Polls |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2020-polls.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the Semifinals, the Rose Bowl against Notre Dame, Harris had 15 carries for 125 rushing yards in the 31–14 victory.{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl – Notre Dame vs Alabama Box Score, January 1, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-01-01-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the national championship, Harris had 158 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns in the 52–24 victory over Ohio State to earn his second national championship.{{Cite web |title=College Football Championship – Ohio State vs Alabama Box Score, January 11, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-01-11-alabama.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Harris finished his career as the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843), total scrimmage yards (4,624) and touchdowns (57) for the Crimson Tide. He was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker Award.{{Cite web |title=Consensus All-America Teams (2020–2020) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2020-2029.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |
| colspan="2"| Legend |
|---|
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the NCAA |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Scrimmage | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Touch | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2017 || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| Alabama
| 10 || 61 || 370 || 6.1 || 3 || 6 || 45 || 7.5 || 0 || 67 || 415 || 6.2 || 4 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 || Alabama
| 15 || 117 || 783 || 6.7 || 4 || 4 || 7 || 1.8 || 0 || 121 || 790 || 6.5 || 4 | |||||||||||||
| 2019|| Alabama
| 13 || 209 || 1,224 || 5.9 || 13 || 27 || 304 || 11.3 ||style="background:#cfecec;"|7 || 236 || 1,528 || 6.5 || 20 | |||||||||||||
| 2020 || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|Alabama
| 13 || 251 || 1,466 || 5.8 || style="background:#cfecec;"|26 || 43 || 425 || 9.9 || 4 || 294 || style="background:#cfecec;"|1,891 || 6.4 || style="background:#cfecec;"|30 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/najee-harris-1.html Career] | 51 | 638 | 3,843 | 6.0 | 46 | 80 | 781 | 9.8 | 11 | 718 | 4,624 | 6.4 | 58 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 3/8
| weight = 232
| dash =
| ten split =
| twenty split =
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical =
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench =
| arm span = 33 1/4
| hand span = 10 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Najee Harris Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/najee-harris/32004841-5249-3163-f8f5-73c55f8a5c0d |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris, Alabama, RB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021689&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2021 NFL Draft Profile |url=http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/104766 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |website=insider.espn.com}}
}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
==2021 season==
File:Najee Harris (51655046635) (cropped).jpg
{{see also|2021 Pittsburgh Steelers season}}
Harris was selected in the first round with the 24th overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Steelers select Najee Harris in first round |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-select-najee-harris-in-first-round |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Steelers.com}} He was the first running back selected.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/draft.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On May 25, 2021, Harris signed his rookie contract with the Steelers, worth $13.1 million including a $6.9 million signing bonus over four years.{{Cite magazine |last=Druin |first=Donnie |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Najee Harris Signs Rookie Contract With Steelers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-najee-harris-rookie-contract |access-date=October 10, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
In Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Harris recorded 142 all purpose yards, including 14 catches in 19 targets. This tied the NFL record for most catches in a game for a rookie running back, and were the second-highest amount of targets for a running back since 1992 (when the data was first tracked).{{Cite web |last=Pryor |first=Brooke |date=September 29, 2021 |title=Why big receiving games for Steelers' Najee Harris likely won't be the norm |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/32818/why-steelers-najee-harris-may-not-have-another-big-receiving-game |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}} In Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, Harris recorded 122 yards on 23 carries and a rushing touchdown in the 27–19 win.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 10th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202110100pit.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} It marked his first game rushing over 100 yards. He became the first Steelers' rookie to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing on his first five games, since Franco Harris in 1972.{{Cite web |last=Pryor |first=Brooke |date=October 10, 2021 |title=Steelers' offensive line leads way to big games for Najee Harris, Ben Roethlisberger |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/32858/steelers-offensive-line-leads-way-to-big-games-for-najee-harris-ben-roethlisberger |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}} In Week 17, Harris ran for a career-high 188 yards and the game-sealing touchdown in a 26–14 win over the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 3rd, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201030pit.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Harris finished his rookie season with 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and 74 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished fourth in rushing yards, fourth in all-purpose yards, and led all running backs in receptions.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/rushing.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His 381 touches led the NFL and had zero fumbles.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Scrimmage Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/scrimmage.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was selected as an alternate for the 2022 Pro Bowl, replacing Bengals running back Joe Mixon.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/probowl.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2021.htm |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2021.htm |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2022 season==
{{see also|2022 Pittsburgh Steelers season}}
Harris got off to a slow start in 2022. Through the first eight games of the season, he only managed to eclipse 50 rushing yards three times and scored three total touchdowns. It brought into question whether the Lisfranc sprain he suffered in training camp was affecting his production, although Harris claimed that was not the case.{{Cite web |last=Jaggi |first=Tommy |date=2022-11-09 |title=Steelers RB Najee Harris claims foot injury did not affect him at all this year |url=https://stillcurtain.com/2022/11/09/steelers-rb-najee-harris-foot-injury-no-affect/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Still Curtain |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Edholm |first=Eric |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Steelers RB Najee Harris sustained Lisfranc injury in camp, but remains on track to start Week 1 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-rb-najee-harris-sustained-lisfranc-injury-in-camp-but-remains-on-track- |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} Following the team's bye week, he would go on to rush for more than 50 yards in seven of the last nine games and score seven total touchdowns. His best game of the season came in a Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Harris rushed for a season high 111 yards and caught the game winning touchdown from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett with less than a minute to play.{{Cite web |last=Suggs |first=David |date=January 2, 2023 |title=Najee Harris did way more than just post his first 100-yard rushing game of the season in Steelers win vs. Ravens |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/najee-harris-100-yard-game-steelers-ravens-afc-north/fqbj6ekh7vvzte58idwlz7jr |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Sporting News |language=en}}
He finished the 2022 season with 272 carries for 1,038 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and 41 receptions for 229 yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} This made Harris the first Steelers player to rush for 1,000 yards in their first two seasons{{Cite web |last=Marczi |first=Matthew |date=January 8, 2023 |title=Najee Harris Becomes 1st Player In Team History With 1000 Rushing Yards In 1st Two Seasons |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/01/najee-harris-becomes-1st-player-in-team-history-with-1000-rushing-yards-in-1st-two-seasons/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}
==2023 season==
{{see also|2023 Pittsburgh Steelers season}}
In Week 4, Harris had 104 scrimmage yards in a loss to the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans - October 1st, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202310010htx.htm |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In Week 11, Harris would only be able to gain 36 all purpose yards against division rivals the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/11-19-2023-pit-at-cle-17534 | title=Browns 13–10 Steelers (Nov 19, 2023) Box Score }} Harris's frustration with the team's performance began to boil over following the game. Harris seemed to be pessimistic about the season's outlook, stating to reporters in a post-game locker room interview that the poor play was "fixable" but questioned whether or not it would be fixed.{{cite web | last=DeArdo | first=Bryan | title=Steelers RB Najee Harris vents his frustration about offense after loss to Browns: 'I'm tired of this s---' | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-11-19 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-rb-najee-harris-vents-his-frustration-about-offense-after-loss-to-browns-im-tired-of-this-s/ | access-date=2024-10-01}} The following week would see Harris's best game of the season thus far. Harris had 15 carries for 99 yards with a five yard rushing touchdown in a 16–10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite web | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/11-26-2023-pit-at-cin-17551 | title=Steelers 16–10 Bengals (Nov 26, 2023) Box Score }}
In Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, Harris had 27 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the 30–23 victory.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks – December 31st, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202312310sea.htm |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He capped off the regular season with 26 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 17–10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.{{cite web | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-6-2024-pit-at-bal-17652 | title=Steelers 17–10 Ravens (Jan 06, 2024) Box Score }} In the 2023 season, Harris rushed 255 times for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games and starts,{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} making him the only running back in franchise history to start their career with three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.{{cite web | last=Inabinett | first=Mark | title=Najee Harris reaches NFL rushing milestone for third year in a row | website=AL.com| date=2024-01-07 | url=https://www.al.com/sports/2024/01/najee-harris-reaches-nfl-rushing-milestone-for-third-year-in-a-row.html | access-date=2024-10-25}}
Harris would then make his second post-season appearance of his career in the AFC Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills on January 15, 2024. Harris had 12 carries for 37 yards and caught two passes on three targets for 15 yards in the 31–17 Steelers loss. The post-season loss brought Harris's post season statistics to an 0–2 record.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills – January 15th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401150buf.htm |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2024 season==
{{see also|2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season}}
On May 2, 2024, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Harris' contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Steelers decline RB Najee Harris' fifth-year option |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-decline-rb-najee-harris-fifth-year-option |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=NFL.com}} In Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, Harris had 20 carries for just 70 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry in the 18–10 Steelers win.{{Cite web |title=Steelers 18-10 Falcons (Sep 8, 2024) |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/9-8-2024-pit-at-atl-18492 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} On September 29, Harris would have one of the statistically worst games of his career, getting just 13 carries for 19 yards with his longest carry being for five yards. He would also make three catches on six targets for 54 yards. The Steelers would lose 24–27 to the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |title=Steelers 24-27 Colts (Sep 29, 2024) |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/9-29-2024-pit-at-ind-18532 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} In the Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Harris would score his first touchdown of the season on a 36 yard rush. He would also eclipse 100 rushing yards in game for the first time since Week 18 of the 2023 season with 106.{{Cite web |title=Steelers 32-13 Raiders (Oct 13, 2024) |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/10-13-2024-pit-at-lv-18570 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} Harris would hit the century mark again in the following week against the New York Jets, rushing 21 times for 102 yards and, with less than 30 seconds left in the game, another touchdown to seal the win.{{cite web | last=McKessy | first=Jack | last2=Reineking | first2=Jim | last3=Rivera | first3=Joe | last4=Viera | first4=Tom | title=Steelers vs. Jets score, results: Russell Wilson accounts for 3 TDs | website=USA TODAY | date=2024-10-20 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/10/20/steelers-jets-live-score-updates-sunday-night-football/75704115007/ | access-date=2024-10-25}} He finished the 2024 season with 263 carries for 1,043 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go with 36 receptions for 283 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Najee Harris 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Harris made another postseason start with the Steelers in their 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Wild Card round in which he had six carries for 17 yards.{{cite web | title=Steelers 14-28 Ravens (Jan 12, 2025) | website=StatMuse | date=2025-01-12 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-11-2025-pit-at-bal-18756 | access-date=2025-01-12}}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
On March 12, 2025, Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $9.5 million contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/agree-to-terms-with-najee-harris-donte-jackson-2025|title= Chargers Agree to Terms with Najee Harris and Donte Jackson |work=Los Angeles Chargers|date=March 12, 2025}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2"| Legend |
|---|
| style="width:3em;"| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} | |
| 2021 | PIT
| 17 || 17 || 307 || 1,200 || 3.9 || 37 || 7 || 74 || 467 || 6.3 || 25 || 3 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | PIT
| 17 || 17 || 272 || 1,034 || 3.8 || 36 || 7 || 41 || 229 || 5.6 || 19 || 3 || 3 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | PIT
| 17|| 17 || 255 || 1,035 || 4.1 || 25 || 8 || 29 || 170 || 5.9 || 32 || 0 || 2 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | PIT
| 17 || 17 || 263 || 1,043 || 4.0 || 36 || 6 || 36 || 283 || 7.9 || 32 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00.htm Career] | 68 | 68 | 1097 | 4,312 | 3.9 | 37 | 28 | 180 | 1,149 | 6.4 | 32 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} | |
| 2021 | PIT
| 1 || 1 || 12 || 29 || 2.4 || 8 || 0 || 2 || −1 || −0.5 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | PIT
| 1 || 1 || 12 || 37 || 3.1 || 11 || 0 || 2 || 15 || 7.5 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | PIT
| 1 || 1 || 6 || 17 || 2.8 || 5 || 0 || 3 || 41 || 13.7 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrNa00/gamelog/post/ Career] | 3 | 3 | 30 | 83 | 2.8 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 55 | 7.9 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Personal life
Harris graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Consumer Sciences in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Karle |first=Rick |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Najee Harris' mom says experience at Alabama has been life-changing |url=https://www.wvtm13.com/article/najee-harris-mom-says-experience-at-alabama-has-been-life-changing/35192039 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=WVTM |language=en}} During his last college football season, Harris began celebrating touchdowns by striking the iconic World Cup pose of Megan Rapinoe. He mentioned finding Rapinoe's views on feminism and standing for her beliefs as "motivating" and "inspirational".{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Tom |date=May 6, 2021 |title=Najee Harris lived amid 'two blocks of hell.' He trained in the dark. He dodged trouble like he did defenders. And now, it's all daylight. |url=https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2021/05/06/pittsburgh-steelers-najee-harris-nfl-draft-2021-antioch-california-tmr |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=dkpittsburghsports.com}}
In January 2019, Harris signed with Beast Mode Marketing, the marketing agency of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.{{Cite web |last=Wisniewski |first=Lindsey |date=January 19, 2021 |title=Najee Harris goes Beast Mode, signs with Marshawn Lynch's marketing agency. |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/seahawks/alabama-star-najee-harris-goes-beast-mode-signs-marshawn-lynchs-marketing-agency |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=nbcsports.com}}
On the day of the 2021 NFL draft, Harris declined the invitation to the event in Cleveland, Ohio, opting instead to host a party for the kids served at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, the homeless shelter he spent his childhood at. He later gathered with family and friends to watch the draft at a restaurant owned by Marshawn Lynch, in Emeryville, California.{{Cite web |last=Nakano |first=Andrea |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Bay Area Football Phenom Najee Harris Drafted by Steelers |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/04/29/bay-area-football-phenom-najee-harris-drafted-by-steelers/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com}}
In 2021, Harris founded the nonprofit organization Da' Bigger Picture Foundation along with assistance from California governor Gavin Newsom, which provides assistance to families impacted by homelessness and hunger.{{Cite web |last=Snarr |first=Peter |date=June 25, 2021 |title=Bay Area native Najee Harris advocates for homeless with Newsom |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/bay-area-native-najee-harris-advocates-for-homeless-with-newsom/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=kron4.com}}
References
{{Reflist|35em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Footballstats |nfl=najee-harris|espn=4241457|yahoo=33412|pfr=H/HarrNa00|cbs=2741200/najee-harris/}}
- [https://rolltide.com/sports/football/roster/najee-harris/6329 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
- [https://www.chargers.com/team/players-roster/najee-harris/ Los Angeles Chargers bio]
{{Los Angeles Chargers roster navbox}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Najee Harris—awards, championships, and honors
|list=
{{2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2020 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Doak Walker Award}}
{{Alabama Crimson Tide football rushing leaders navbox}}
{{2021 NFL Draft}}
{{SteelersFirstPick}}
{{Steelers2021DraftPicks}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Najee}}
Category:Players of American football from Antioch, California
Category:American football running backs
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:All-American college football players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players