Demetrius Harris

Demetrius Harris (born July 29, 1991) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college basketball at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, which has no college football program. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Demetrius Harris
refer to caption
Harris with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-29) July 29, 1991
Carrollton, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville
(Jacksonville, Arkansas)
College:UW–Milwaukee
Position:Tight end
Undrafted:2013
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:82
Receiving yards:809
Total touchdowns:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

After a standout high school career at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas, where he made All-State in both football and basketball, Harris originally signed with Arkansas State to play football, but, after failing to qualify academically, he decided to switch to basketball instead. Attending Mineral Area College, Harris played basketball for two seasons, before transferring to Milwaukee for his final two eligible seasons.

After playing off the bench his junior year, Harris was a starter his senior year, starting in 28 of 32 games. Despite the Panthers having a lowly 8–24 record, Harris finished 9th in the Horizon League in field goal shooting (46.9%) and led the Panthers in rebounds. After the conclusion of the basketball season, even though he had not played organized football since high school, NFL scouts showed interest in Harris playing football again, citing his size (6'7", 230 lb.) as ideal for the tight end position. Among the teams that showed interest in Harris included the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys.[1] To show off his skills for scouts, he held a workout with the Milwaukee Panthers football club team, otherwise known as MPFC.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 5+1⁄2 in
(1.97 m)		 237 lb
(108 kg)		 35+5⁄8 in
(0.90 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)
All values from Pro Day[2]

2013–2015 seasons

Harris was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft.[3][4]

After spending his 2013 season on the Chiefs' practice squad, Harris made the official roster in 2014, though his rookie season was cut short by a broken foot, ending his season after eight games.

In the 2015 season, Harris caught seven passes for 74 yards as a backup tight end, mainly used for blocking. Harris caught his first NFL touchdown pass, a 15-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith, on the final game of the regular season, against the Oakland Raiders. On January 8, 2016, Harris signed a three-year, $6.3 million contract extension.[5]

2016 season

In the 2016 season, on Christmas Day, against the Denver Broncos, Harris caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Dontari Poe, who became the largest player in NFL history to throw a touchdown, in the fourth quarter.[6] He appeared in all 16 games, of which started 11, in the 2017 season. He totaled 17 receptions for 123 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[7]

2017 season

In the 2017 season opening 42–27 victory against the New England Patriots, Harris caught the first receiving touchdown of the NFL season with a seven-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith in the first quarter.[8] He appeared in all 16 games, of which he started seven, in the 2017 season. He totaled 18 receptions for 224 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[9]

2018 season

On May 22, 2018, Harris was suspended the first game of the 2018 season after pleading guilty to a marijuana possession misdemeanor in March 2017.[10] He appeared in 15 games, of which he started three, in the 2018 season. He finished with 12 receptions for 164 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[11]

Cleveland Browns

On March 14, 2019, Harris signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.[12] He appeared in 15 games, of which he started six. He finished with 15 receptions for 149 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[13]

Harris was released by the Browns on February 17, 2020.[14]

Chicago Bears

On February 19, 2020, Harris was signed by the Chicago Bears.[15] He appeared in 15 games and started five in the 2020 season.[16]

Arizona Cardinals

On August 11, 2021, Harris signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[17] In the 2021 season, he appeared in 14 games and started four.[18]

NFL career statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2014KC 833206.710000
2015KC 16977410.625100
2016KC 1611171237.213110
2017KC 1671822412.451100
2018KC 1531216413.735300
2019CLE 156151499.923300
2020CHI 1557456.49000
2021ARI 133273.57000
Total11447818068.851910

References
  1. McGinn, Bob (April 13, 2013). "UW-Milwaukee's Demetrius Harris trading basketball for football pads". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  2. "Demetrius Harris, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, TE, 2013 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  3. Covitz, Randy (August 20, 2014). "Chiefs' Demetrius Harris could be a slam-dunk at tight end". KansasCity.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  4. Palmer, Tod (July 27, 2014). "Tight end Demetrius Harris confident he can catch on with the Chiefs". KansasCity.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  5. "Demetrius Harris, Chiefs agree on three-year deal". NFL.com. January 8, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  6. "Chiefs rout Broncos 33–10 to keep AFC West title hopes alive". FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV. December 26, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  7. "Demetrius Harris 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  8. "Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots – September 7th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  9. "Demetrius Harris 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  10. Alper, Josh (May 22, 2018). "Demetrius Harris suspended one game". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  11. "Demetrius Harris 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  12. Gribble, Andrew (March 14, 2019). "Browns sign versatile TE Demetrius Harris". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  13. "Demetrius Harris 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  14. "Browns release 4 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. February 17, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  15. Williams, Charean (February 19, 2020). "Bears sign former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  16. "Demetrius Harris 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  17. Murphy, Blake (August 10, 2021). "Cardinals Announce Signing of 3 Defensive Ends, 1 Tight End". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  18. "Demetrius Harris 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
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