Will Harris Bio
William Jamahl Harris is an American professional football safety for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Suwanee, Georgia, Harris attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, before playing college football for Boston College from 2015 to 2018. The Detroit Lions selected Harris in the third round (81st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Over his NFL career, he has played for the Detroit Lions (2019-2023), New Orleans Saints (2024), and currently the Washington Commanders (2025-present). Harris has established himself as a versatile defensive back capable of playing multiple positions including safety, nickelback, and cornerback.
Early Life and Background
Will Harris was born on December 19, 1995, in Suwanee, Georgia. He attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, where he developed into a notable football prospect. His collegiate career at Boston College (2015-2018) prepared him for the professional level before entering the NFL Draft in 2019.
At Boston College, Harris played as a safety for four seasons, developing the skills and football IQ that would translate to the professional level. He demonstrated versatility and playmaking ability, which made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.
Path to Professional Football
Prior to the 2019 NFL Draft, Harris garnered attention from NFL scouts and analysts. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 10th best safety prospect in the draft, while Sports Illustrated listed him as the 28th best defensive back prospect overall. NFL draft analyst Matt Miller of Bleacher Report had Harris ranked as the 13th best safety in the class. Projections for him varied from the third round to the sixth round.
Harris was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Lions traded with the Minnesota Vikings to move up and secure the selection, sending their third-round (88th overall) and sixth-round picks (204th overall) to acquire the necessary draft capital.
Will Harris Career
Detroit Lions (2019-2023)
On June 4, 2019, Harris signed a four-year, $3.72 million rookie contract with the Lions. He entered training camp competing against Tavon Wilson, Charles Washington, and Andrew Adams for a backup safety role. Head coach Matt Patricia named him a backup safety behind Tracy Walker III and Quandre Diggs to begin his rookie season.
Harris made his professional debut on September 8, 2019, in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He earned his first career start on November 3, 2019, after Tracy Walker sustained a knee injury. In Week 17, he recorded his first career sack on Aaron Rodgers. He finished his rookie season with 43 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and one sack in 16 games with six starts.
In 2020, Harris saw limited action due to a position battle and coaching changes. He recorded 35 combined tackles in 16 games with five starts. The Lions fired head coach Matt Patricia mid-season and promoted Darrell Bevell to interim head coach.
The 2021 season brought a new regime as Dan Campbell took over as head coach. Harris competed with Dean Marlowe for a starting safety spot and earned the role, pairing with Tracy Walker III. He started all 17 games for the first time in his career, recording 93 combined tackles, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble.
In 2022, after the Lions acquired multiple safeties in the off-season, Harris transitioned more to cornerback and nickelback duties. He recorded 57 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and his first career interception during a victory against the Washington Commanders.
Entering 2023, Harris signed a one-year, $2.58 million fully-guaranteed contract. The Lions moved him to nickelback as they built depth at safety. He appeared in all 17 games with two starts, recording 18 combined tackles, three pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
New Orleans Saints (2024)
On May 1, 2024, Harris signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. He competed for a starting safety role against Johnathan Abram and Jordan Howden, seeking to replace Marcus Maye. He began the season as the starting strong safety alongside Tyrann Mathieu.
In the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Harris made two tackles, one pass deflection, and recorded his only interception of the season on the first offensive play, picking off Bryce Young. He missed four consecutive games mid-season due to a hamstring injury. He finished the 2024 season with 74 combined tackles, five passes defensed, and one interception in 13 games with 13 starts.
Washington Commanders (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Harris signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Washington Commanders, with $3.39 million guaranteed and a $2 million signing bonus. On September 22, 2025, the Commanders placed him on injured reserve after he suffered a fractured fibula in Week 3. The team activated him on November 29, ahead of their Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos, returning to contribute to a Commanders defense looking to make a push in the playoff race.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harris brings versatility to the defensive backfield, capable of playing safety, nickelback, and cornerback positions. His ability to line up at multiple spots provides defensive coordinators with flexibility in their schemes. He has demonstrated solid tackling ability and playmaking skills, including his first career interception and sack during his rookie season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harris achieved several milestones throughout his career. His first career start came in Week 9 of his rookie season after Tracy Walker was injured. He recorded his first career sack on Aaron Rodgers in Week 17 of 2019. The 2021 season marked his first full year as a starter, appearing in all 17 games. In 2022, he recorded his first career interception during a victory against his current team, the Washington Commanders.
Will Harris Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Harris has accumulated 358 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, 22 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries across regular season games.
Career Highlights
Harris has appeared in 62 career games with 37 starts through the 2024 season. His best statistical season came in 2021 when he started all 17 games and recorded 93 combined tackles. His rookie season saw him record his first career sack on future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. The 2022 season brought his first career interception.
Notable Performances
Throughout his career, Harris has shown consistency in making plays. His Week 1 interception with the Saints in 2024 set the tone early in the season. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a situational defender has kept him on NFL rosters for six seasons.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Combined Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 6 | 43 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Detroit Lions | 16 | 5 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Detroit Lions | 17 | 17 | 93 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | 15 | 10 | 57 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Detroit Lions | 17 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | New Orleans Saints | 13 | 13 | 74 | 0 | 1 |
2025 Season Performance
Will Harris joined the Washington Commanders in March 2025 on a two-year contract worth $8 million. His season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve in September after suffering a fractured fibula in Week 3. Harris was activated in late November ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos, providing the Commanders defense with experienced depth at the safety position. The Commanders were competitive in the NFC East, and Harris’s versatility as a player who can line up at multiple defensive back positions gave the coaching staff valuable flexibility as they navigated the stretch run of the season.