Josh Harris is an American professional football long snapper for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers from 2007 to 2011. Harris signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent nine seasons with the team before joining the Chargers in 2022. He earned Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors following the 2021 season.
Josh Harris Bio
Josh Harris is a German-born long snapper who has built a reliable NFL career spanning over a decade. His consistency and precision as a specialist have made him a valued member of every team he has joined. Harris appeared in 215 career games entering the 2025 season and has contributed 37 total tackles throughout his professional career. He reached the pinnacle of the sport when he played in Super Bowl LI with the Falcons in the 2016 season.
Early Life and Background
Josh Harris was born on April 27, 1989, in Fulda, Germany, to German parents. His family later moved to the United States, where he settled in Carrollton, Georgia. Harris attended Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, where he competed as a three-sport athlete, participating in football, wrestling, and baseball. His diverse athletic background helped develop the hand-eye coordination and body control essential for his future role as a specialist.
During his time at Carrollton High School, Harris honed his skills primarily on the football field, attracting attention from college programs with his athletic versatility. His performance in high school laid the foundation for his eventual transition to the college ranks, where he would become a key contributor for a national championship program.
Path to American Football
Harris continued his athletic career at the collegiate level, playing for the Auburn Tigers from 2007 through 2011. His tenure at Auburn proved transformative, as he developed into a reliable long snapper while the program achieved significant success. The pinnacle of his college career came in 2010 when Auburn captured the BCS national championship, with Harris contributing as the special teams snapper during that historic season.
After completing his college career in 2011, Harris entered the NFL draft as an undrafted prospect. His combination of size, athleticism, and specialized skills caught the attention of multiple teams, leading to his signing as an undrafted free agent. He chose to sign with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning his professional journey in April 2012.
Josh Harris Career
Atlanta Falcons (2012–2021)
Harris signed with the Atlanta Falcons on April 26, 2012, following the 2012 NFL draft. He competed against veteran Joe Zelenka during training camp and ultimately won the position when the team reduced its roster to 53 players. Harris made his NFL debut in the season opener, a Week 1 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking the beginning of a decade-long tenure with the franchise.
On September 17, 2014, Harris signed a four-year contract extension with the Falcons, securing his place as the team’s long snapper for the foreseeable future. His consistency proved invaluable to the special teams unit, and the organization demonstrated its confidence in his abilities through the extension. The 2016 season brought the highest point of his Falcons career when the team advanced to Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. Although the Falcons fell short in a dramatic 34-28 overtime loss, Harris gained invaluable experience playing on the sport’s biggest stage.
Harris continued his strong play, and on November 2, 2018, he signed another three-year extension that would keep him with the team through the 2021 season. Unfortunately, his 2018 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 4 due to a hip injury. The following seasons saw Harris battle back from injury and maintain his position as one of the league’s reliable snappers. On September 1, 2021, the Falcons waived Harris, only to re-sign him the very next day. His perseverance paid off spectacularly when he was selected to his first Pro Bowl on December 22, 2021. He was later recognized as a Second-team All-Pro for his exceptional work during the 2021 season, the pinnacle achievement of his nine-year Falcons career.
Los Angeles Chargers (2022–Present)
On March 16, 2022, Harris joined the Los Angeles Chargers, signing a four-year contract worth $5.6 million. The move represented a new chapter for the veteran snapper, who joined a Chargers team featuring quarterback Justin Herbert and a promising roster. Harris brought his wealth of experience and consistency to a new franchise, immediately slotting into the starting long snapper role.
The 2025 season presented challenges for Harris when he was placed on injured reserve on August 26 due to an undisclosed injury. The injury forced him to miss at least the first four games of the season. He was activated from injured reserve on November 8, 2025, ahead of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning to action after an extended absence. Following the 2025 season, Harris continued his tenure with the Chargers, re-signing with the team on March 11, 2026, on a one-year contract worth $1.82 million.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Harris has distinguished himself through exceptional consistency and reliability. His mechanics have remained steady throughout his career, enabling him to deliver accurate snaps to both punters and holders in every situation. His experience spanning over 200 games has equipped him with the composure to perform under pressure in critical moments, including playoff and Super Bowl environments. His ability to quickly recover and contribute after injuries has also demonstrated his durability and work ethic.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harris’s most significant career milestone remains his Pro Bowl selection following the 2021 season, which validated his years of consistent performance. Playing in Super Bowl LI with the Falcons during the 2016 season stands as another defining moment, exposing him to the highest level of competition. His recovery from the 2018 hip injury and subsequent return to form showcased his resilience and professionalism. The 2025 season’s injury and successful return added another chapter to his story of perseverance.
Josh Harris Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Harris has accumulated significant team successes alongside his individual accolades. His nine seasons with the Falcons included numerous playoff appearances and one Super Bowl appearance. The 2021 season brought his most prominent individual recognition with Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
NFL Highlights
Harris earned Pro Bowl selection in 2021, representing the NFL’s top long snappers in the annual all-star game. He was also named Second-team All-Pro that same season, recognizing him as one of the two best snappers in the league. These honors came after years of consistent performance that went largely unnoticed by casual fans. His selection to the Pro Bowl marked the culmination of a career built on reliability and professionalism.
College Achievements
Prior to his NFL career, Harris was part of the Auburn Tigers team that won the BCS national championship in 2010. This college championship remains one of the most significant victories of his football career, coming during his final collegiate season.
| Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|
| NFL | Pro Bowl (2021) |
| NFL | Second-team All-Pro (2021) |
| College | BCS National Champion (2010) |
| Super Bowl | Super Bowl LI Participant (2017) |
Josh Harris Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Josh Harris was born in Fulda, Germany, to German parents before his family relocated to the United States. Details about his parents, siblings, or extended family members involved in athletics are not widely available in public sources. Harris has maintained a private approach to his family life throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Harris has resided in the Atlanta area during his time with the Falcons and has since established his home in the Los Angeles area with the Chargers. He maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle jharris_47. Harris has focused primarily on his football career, with limited public information available about his personal relationships or family status. His professional achievements and dedication to his craft have remained the primary focus throughout his public career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with adversity for Harris, who was placed on injured reserve on August 26 due to an undisclosed injury. The injury required him to miss the first four games of the season, interrupting his streak of consecutive appearances. During his absence, the Chargers relied on backup options at the long snapper position while awaiting his recovery. Harris demonstrated his commitment to returning to form during his rehabilitation period.
Harris was activated from injured reserve on November 8, 2025, rejoining the active roster ahead of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His return provided stability to the Chargers’ special teams unit at a critical point in the season. The veteran snapper’s ability to recover and perform at a high level after the injury reinforced his reputation as a consummate professional. As the season progressed, Harris aimed to help the Chargers make a push toward the playoffs while continuing his role as one of the NFL’s most reliable specialists.