Devin Harper

Devin Harper is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Born on May 13, 1998, in Austell, Georgia, Harper attended Karns High School in Tennessee before playing college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2016 to 2021. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick (193rd overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. Harper has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and currently resides in Pennsylvania while continuing his professional football career. Throughout his journey from high school dual-sport athlete to professional linebacker, Harper has demonstrated consistent special teams ability and developmental defensive skills that have kept him on NFL rosters.

Early Life and Background

Devin Harper was born to his parents Kevin and Alacia Harper in Austell, Georgia, on May 13, 1998. He grew up in the Austell area before his family relocated to Tennessee, where he would attend high school. Harper comes from a football family, as his younger brother Thomas Harper went on to become a safety for the Detroit Lions, following a similar path in professional football.

Harper attended Karns High School in Karns, Tennessee, where he immediately showcased his athletic versatility by playing both running back and linebacker on the football field. During his junior season in 2015, he was part of a struggling team that failed to win any games, but this experience would serve as motivation for his senior year. Beyond football, Harper also participated in basketball and track and field, demonstrating a well-rounded athletic ability that would benefit his football career.

Path to American Football

As a senior at Karns High School in 2016, Harper experienced a breakthrough season. He contributed to a 3-7 record while putting up impressive statistics on offense, collecting 1,403 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 213 all-purpose yards per game. Defensively, he recorded 40 tackles including 5.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His most remarkable performance came when he rushed for 345 yards in a single game against South-Doyle High School. These achievements earned him All-District and All-Knoxville Interscholastic League honors, marking him as a promising two-way talent in Tennessee high school football.

In basketball, Harper also excelled during his senior year. He led the Karns basketball team to the sectional round of the District 3-A Playoffs, earning District 3-AAA Player of the Year honors along with All-Region recognition. This dual-sport success demonstrated his exceptional athleticism and competitive drive, qualities that would translate well to the next level of football.

After high school, Harper accepted a football scholarship from Oklahoma State University, where he intended to pursue his dream of playing linebacker at the collegiate level. His journey from a winless junior season to a scholarship athlete at a major program showcased his resilience and dedication to improvement.

Devin Harper Career

Oklahoma State Cowboys (2016-2021)

Harper arrived at Oklahoma State University in 2016 and began his college career on the path to becoming a linebacker. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he played primarily on special teams, recording 5 tackles and blocking one punt. This early special teams experience would become a hallmark of his game throughout his professional career. The coaching staff recognized his work ethic and placed him in a position to contribute immediately, even as a young player adjusting to the demands of major college football.

As a sophomore in 2018, Harper saw increased playing time, appearing in all 13 games with one start. He recorded 44 total tackles including 5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble, and returned an interception for a touchdown. His standout performance came against the University of Kansas, where he tallied 9 tackles. This season represented his emergence as a reliable defender within the Cowboys defensive scheme, showing improved instincts and physicality against Big 12 competition.

Harper faced challenges during his junior year in 2019, playing through pain while wearing a cast for part of the season. Despite this adversity, he appeared in 10 games with one start, amassing 34 total tackles with 5 for loss and 3 sacks. He added 6 tackles against Kansas in another solid performance. His ability to compete through injury demonstrated the toughness that NFL scouts would later value in evaluating his professional potential.

During his senior season in 2020, Harper appeared in all 11 games played (two games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with one start. He posted 37 tackles, ranking sixth on the team, while also recording 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, one interception, and one pass defensed. His 5 tackles against West Virginia University highlighted his consistency against quality opponents. Harper was also recognized for his academic achievements, earning All-Big 12 academic honors that season.

As a super senior in 2021, Harper enjoyed his most productive college season. He became a full-time starter and was voted by his teammates as a team captain, reflecting his leadership and character. Starting 13 out of 14 games, he finished with 96 tackles, ranking second on the team, along with 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks (third on the team), 15 quarterback hurries (second in school history), 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. His career-defining moment came in the 2021 Bedlam matchup against Oklahoma, where he was instrumental in preserving a 37-33 victory by making critical plays on three consecutive downs in the final two minutes, including a sack that resulted in a 5-yard loss and a tackle that prevented a first down. He also contributed 10 tackles in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, helping the Cowboys complete a historic 37-35 comeback win against the University of Notre Dame.

Dallas Cowboys (2022-2023)

Harper was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, realizing his dream of playing professional football. He entered the league as a developmental linebacker with special teams value. During his rookie season, he was declared inactive for 4 games before being placed on the reserve/injured list with Achilles tendinitis on October 29, 2022. Harper appeared in the first 3 games of the season, playing exclusively on special teams without recording any defensive statistics. The injury provided an early test of his resilience at the professional level.

In 2023, Harper returned to competition with the Cowboys but faced increased competition for playing time. After rookie DeMarvion Overshown suffered a season-ending injury, Markquese Bell passed Harper on the depth chart for the strongside linebacker position. Harper appeared in the first 3 games of the season, recording 2 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle while playing primarily on special teams units. On September 28, 2023, he was waived by the Cowboys to make room for center Brock Hoffman, who was needed to provide depth on the offensive line. This transaction marked the end of his tenure with the organization that had originally drafted him.

Cincinnati Bengals (2023-2024)

Harper was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2023, providing him with an immediate opportunity to continue his NFL career. With the Bengals, he appeared in 6 games and made 2 special teams tackles, continuing his role as a core special teams player. He was declared inactive for 8 games during his time in Cincinnati, reflecting the competitive nature of the linebacker position on an NFL roster. On August 27, 2024, Harper was waived by the Bengals, making him available for other teams to claim or sign.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-Present)

Harper joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 29, 2024, when he was signed to the practice squad. This move provided him with continued exposure to the Steelers organization and coaching staff. On January 14, 2025, Harper signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh, officially joining the team for the 2025 season and beyond. This contract represented a vote of confidence from the Steelers coaching staff in his abilities and potential contributions. However, his 2025 season encountered immediate obstacles when he was waived with an injury designation on August 18, 2025, and reverted to injured reserve the following day before being released on August 20, 2025.

Playing Style and Strengths

Harper is known primarily for his special teams contributions at the professional level. His college career demonstrated his ability to play multiple positions along the linebacker corps, with experience at both inside and outside linebacker spots. At Oklahoma State, he showcased blitzing ability with 11.5 career sacks and the instincts to make plays in the backfield, evidenced by his 20.5 career tackles for loss. His experience as a two-way high school player gives him body control and spatial awareness that translates to coverage situations on special teams. His leadership was evident during his final college season when he served as a team captain, and his ability to play through injury at Oklahoma State demonstrated the physical toughness that coaches value in special teams roles.

Notable Events and Milestones

The defining moment of Harper’s career came during the 2021 Bedlam game against Oklahoma. With less than 2 minutes remaining and his team clinging to a 37-33 lead, Harper made three consecutive critical plays to preserve the victory. He forced an incomplete pass on first down, recorded a 5-yard sack on second down, and then tackled quarterback Caleb Williams short of the first down marker on third down, forcing a turnover on downs that sealed the win. This performance in one of college football’s most heated rivalries showcased his clutch ability and competitive character under pressure. He followed that performance with 10 tackles in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, contributing to one of the biggest rallies in Oklahoma State history.

Devin Harper Career Statistics

Harper has appeared in 12 NFL games across three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers, primarily contributing on special teams units. His professional career has been marked by persistence through roster transitions and injury setbacks, with his special teams tackles demonstrating his value on coverage units.

College Highlights (Oklahoma State 2017-2021)

During his five seasons at Oklahoma State, Harper developed from a special teams contributor into a team captain and full-time starter. His career totals include 216 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. His most productive season came in 2021 when he earned All-Big 12 recognition as a senior, posting 96 tackles and 6 sacks while anchoring the Cowboys defense. His 15 quarterback hurries in 2021 rank second in school history, highlighting his disruptive presence in opponents backfields. He was also recognized for his academic achievements, earning All-Big 12 Academic Honors during his senior season.

NFL Career Statistics

Through the 2024 season, Harper has recorded 5 career tackles in NFL regular season play. His career has spanned three organizations in four seasons, with his primary contribution coming on special teams. Despite limited defensive statistics at the professional level, his continued roster presence reflects the value teams place on his special teams ability and locker room character.

Devin Harper Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Harper was born to Kevin and Alacia Harper in Austell, Georgia. His family has strong football connections, as his younger brother Thomas Harper also pursued a professional football career. Thomas Harper plays as a safety for the Detroit Lions, making the Harper family one of the relatively rare families with multiple brothers playing in the NFL. This shared professional football journey has likely created a supportive dynamic between the brothers as they navigate the challenges of life in the league.

Personal Life

Harper is married to his wife and together they have one child, a son named Ryder, whom they welcomed on August 9, 2019. Ryder was born two years before Harper was drafted into the NFL, meaning Harper navigated early fatherhood alongside his final years of college football and the transition to professional life. Harper’s social media presence, including his Instagram account, occasionally provides glimpses into his family life and the balance he maintains between his football career and his responsibilities as a father. His ability to manage these commitments while pursuing a professional football career demonstrates his time management skills and dedication to both his family and his sport.

2025 Season Outlook

Harper enters the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers seeking to establish himself within the organization following a challenging 2024 campaign that ended with an injury designation and subsequent release. His signing of a reserve/future contract in January 2025 indicated the Steelers saw potential value in his special teams abilities and locker room character. However, the 2025 season has already presented setbacks with his August injury designation and release from the roster.

For Harper to remain in the NFL, he will need to recover fully from his injury and demonstrate the special teams consistency that has defined his professional career. His experience across three organizations provides him with adaptability to different defensive schemes and locker room cultures. The Steelers coaching staff will evaluate his ability to contribute on coverage units while potentially developing his defensive role. His path to sustained NFL success relies on health, special teams performance, and the continued development of relationships within coaching staffs that can advocate for his roster spot.