Deonte Harty Bio
Deonte Harty (born December 4, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. Originally signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Harty has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic return specialists in professional football. He earned First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during his rookie season with the Saints, becoming the first undrafted player in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Harty previously played for the Buffalo Bills before joining his hometown Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Deonte Harty was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in the Baltimore suburb of Middle River. He attended Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he lettered in three sports: football, basketball, and track and field. During his senior year in 2014, Harty delivered an exceptional football season that placed him among Maryland’s top high school performers.
That senior season, Harty was named the 2014 Varsity Sports Network Offensive Player of the Year for football. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors and was selected to The Baltimore Sun’s First-team All-Metro for the 2014 football season. Harty led the Friars to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference Championship and Archbishop Curley’s first undefeated football season in school history.
In a standout performance against traditional MIAA A Conference powerhouse Loyola Blakefield, Harty amassed 206 total yards with 140 rushing and 66 receiving, scoring two touchdowns in a 28-0 shutout victory. For the season, he recorded 2,030 yards of total offense with 25 touchdowns in 10 games. He ran for 1,450 yards on 130 carries with 20 rushing touchdowns. In the 2014 MIAA Championship game, Harty had 211 total yards and scored five touchdowns in a 56-14 victory over Saint Paul’s School.
Path to the NFL
After high school, Harty continued his football career at Assumption University, playing for the Assumption Greyhounds from 2015 to 2018. His collegiate career helped develop the skills that would make him a professional prospect despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Despite not being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Harty’s talent caught the attention of NFL scouts. His exceptional athleticism, combined with his proven track record as a dynamic playmaker, made him an attractive prospect for teams seeking help in the return game and as a situational wide receiver.
Deonte Harty Career
New Orleans Saints (2019-2022)
Harty signed with the New Orleans Saints as a rookie undrafted free agent in 2019. After an impressive training camp that included a 78-yard touchdown return against the New York Jets in the pre-season, he made the final cut and was named to the Saints 53-man roster. He made his NFL debut on Monday Night Football as the Saints’ primary kick returner in the season-opener against the Houston Texans.
During Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, Harty scored his first NFL touchdown on a 53-yard punt return. This marked the NFL’s first punt return touchdown of the 2019 season. He finished his rookie year as the leader in punt returns, combined returns, and punt return yards. Harty was selected to the Pro Bowl and became the first undrafted player in Saints franchise history to make the Pro Bowl roster as a rookie. He was also one of only four players in the league to have a punt return touchdown in 2019 and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2020, Harty was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Saints on August 14 and was activated two days later. He scored his first professional receiving touchdown in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers. Harty was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2020, and was activated on January 9, 2021. On March 14, 2022, the Saints placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Harty. He was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2022, ending his season.
Buffalo Bills (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Harty signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. He became one of the team’s main kick returners while also seeing action on offense. He caught his first touchdown with the Bills against the New York Giants during the season. In the regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins, Harty returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown, sparking a fourth-quarter comeback for the Bills. Buffalo went on to win 21-14 and finish atop the AFC East. Harty was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. He was released by the Bills on March 6, 2024.
Baltimore Ravens (2024-Present)
On April 14, 2024, Harty signed with the Baltimore Ravens, returning to his home state of Maryland. This homecoming allowed Harty to play for his hometown team after establishing himself as a professional playmaker in the NFL. The Ravens acquired Harty to bolster their special teams unit with his proven return abilities and offensive versatility.
Driving Style and Strengths
Harty is renowned for his explosiveness and elusiveness as a return specialist. His low center of gravity and quick acceleration allow him to navigate through traffic and find creases in coverage. He possesses excellent vision and the ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces. His track background contributes to his straight-line speed, making him a threat to take any return to the end zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harty’s most notable career milestone remains his 2019 rookie season when he became the first undrafted player in Saints history to earn Pro Bowl honors. His 53-yard punt return touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 of 2019 was the first punt return touchdown in the NFL that season. His 96-yard punt return touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the 2023 regular season finale helped secure the Bills’ division title and earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
Deonte Harty Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Harty has established himself as a consistent performer in both the return game and as a receiving option. His career statistics reflect his dual-threat ability as both a return specialist and a complementary offensive weapon.
NFL Career Highlights
In five seasons of professional football, Harty has recorded 79 receptions for 943 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns across all phases. He has accumulated 3,172 return yards during his career. His rookie season in 2019 stands as his most prolific, when he led the NFL in punt return yards and earned First-team All-Pro honors as a return specialist. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game has made him a valuable asset to every team he has played for.
Professional Career Statistics
Across his NFL career with the Saints, Bills, and Ravens, Harty has demonstrated his ability to make an impact on special teams and offense. His career totals include 79 receptions for 943 receiving yards and 123 rushing yards. He has accumulated 3,172 return yards and seven total touchdowns throughout his professional career.
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 79 |
| Receiving Yards | 943 |
| Rushing Yards | 123 |
| Return Yards | 3,172 |
| Total Touchdowns | 7 |
Personal Life
Name Change and Family
In December 2021, Harty legally changed his name from Deonte Harris to Deonte Harty to honor his stepfather. This decision reflected his desire to recognize the man who played a significant role in his life and football development while growing up in the Baltimore area.
High School Achievements
Harty’s high school career at Archbishop Curley demonstrated his multi-sport athleticism. Beyond football, he lettered in basketball and track and field at the Baltimore school. His exceptional 2014 football season placed him among Maryland’s elite high school players, setting the stage for his future professional career.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens, Harty continues to provide value as a return specialist and depth at the wide receiver position. His experience of five NFL seasons, including two Pro Bowl selections and First-team All-Pro recognition, gives him a solid foundation as he enters what should be a productive period of his career. The Ravens benefit from his veteran presence in the special teams unit and his ability to contribute on offense when called upon. Harty’s homecoming to Baltimore has provided him with an opportunity to showcase his talents in front of his hometown fans while helping the Ravens compete for playoff positioning in the AFC.