N’Keal Harry Bio
N’Keal Harry is a Canadian former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, where he was recognized as a standout player and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors twice. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Harry’s career included stints with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, before joining the Seattle Seahawks. His journey in professional football has been marked by significant achievements and challenges, transitioning through various teams and roles in the league.
Early Life and Background
N’Keal Harry was born on December 17, 1997, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He moved as a baby to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where his grandmother brought him to the Phoenix metro area with the blessing of his mother, seeking greater opportunities for his future. Harry tried several sports as a child, including soccer, football, and basketball, among others. His grandmother had hoped he would choose a less dangerous sport but agreed to let him play football.
Harry starred at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona, after transferring from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. He earned five-star recruiting honors from Rivals.com and was recognized by many recruiting services as one of the top wide receiver recruits in the country. In his junior season, Harry caught 13 touchdown passes on 30 receptions for 657 yards, establishing himself as a highly sought-after college prospect.
Path to American Football
Despite recruiting efforts from Texas A&M, Oregon, USC, and other top-tier programs, Harry chose to remain close to home and committed to Arizona State University. In the 2016 season-opening game against Northern Arizona University, Harry became just the ninth true freshman in school history to start a season opener. In his freshman season, he posted 58 catches for 659 yards and five touchdowns while also running for 69 yards and scoring twice. For his efforts, he was honored by Scout, Football Focus, and Campus Insiders as a Freshman All-American.
During his sophomore campaign, Harry had 82 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him First-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors. His junior season began with media accolades, as he was selected to the 2018 Associated Press preseason All-American team. On October 27, 2018, he made one of the greatest catches in football history according to Colin Cowherd. His acrobatic one-handed catch, along with a punt return touchdown, helped lead the Sun Devils to a win over the USC Trojans. The following week, Harry scored three touchdowns in an upset over the 15th-ranked Utah Utes.
N’Keal Harry Career
New England Patriots (2019–2021)
Harry was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 32nd overall pick. He was the second wide receiver selected in the first round that year, behind Marquise Brown of the Baltimore Ravens. Harry was also the first wide receiver that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick drafted in the first round during his tenure and the first the Patriots drafted in the first round since Terry Glenn in 1996. On May 14, 2019, Harry signed a four-year deal worth $10.1 million featuring a $5.3 million signing bonus.
On September 2, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve as a result of an ankle injury sustained during training camp. On November 2, 2019, Harry was activated off injured reserve. On November 24, 2019, Harry caught his first career receiving touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Tom Brady in the 13-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. During his rookie season, he appeared in seven games and totaled 12 receptions for 105 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
In 2020, Harry showed improvement in the Patriots offense. In the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, he finished with five receptions for 39 yards. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, Harry finished with a career-high eight receptions on 12 targets for 72 receiving yards. On July 6, 2021, Harry requested to be traded from the Patriots, citing the need for a fresh start. He suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2021. After the release of Cam Newton, Harry switched his jersey number from number 15 to number one. He was activated on October 2 and continued with the team through the remainder of the season.
Chicago Bears (2022)
On July 12, 2022, Harry was traded to the Chicago Bears for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on September 1 with an ankle injury and was activated on October 10. Harry made his season debut on October 24 against his former team, the New England Patriots, in what became a homecoming of sorts for the Canadian-born receiver.
Minnesota Vikings (2023–2024)
Harry signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 6, 2023. He was released on August 24 but was re-signed to the Vikings practice squad on September 4. He was signed to the active roster on October 11 before being released again on November 28. He was re-signed to the practice squad on December 4. The Vikings signed Harry to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. On June 4, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that Harry would transition from wide receiver to tight end. He was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad before being released on October 21.
Seattle Seahawks (2024)
On November 11, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks signed Harry to their practice squad. He was released on December 3, bringing his NFL career to a close after six seasons in the league.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harry was known for his size and physicality at the wide receiver position, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 225 pounds. His ability to make contested catches and work the middle of the field provided value to each offense he joined. His collegiate highlight-reel one-handed catch against USC demonstrated his exceptional hand-eye coordination and body control when the play extended.
N’Keal Harry Career Statistics
Across six NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks, Harry accumulated modest but verifiable statistics. His career demonstrated consistency in the limited opportunities he received throughout his professional journey.
NFL Statistics
Harry appeared in games with the Patriots, Bears, and Vikings over his six professional seasons. He finished his NFL career with 64 receptions for 714 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. His rookie season with the Patriots saw him catch two touchdowns in seven games, while his 2020 season represented his most productive year with 26 receptions for 214 yards.
N’Keal Harry Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Harry was raised primarily by his grandmother, who made the significant decision to bring him from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Phoenix metro area to provide him with greater educational and athletic opportunities. Despite initially hoping he would pursue a less physical sport, his grandmother ultimately supported his passion for football and allowed him to play at Chandler High School, where he developed into one of the top recruits in the country.
Personal Life
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Harry holds Canadian nationality. He spent his formative years moving between Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines before settling in Arizona with his grandmother. His athletic family background and early exposure to multiple sports helped develop the versatility that characterized his playing style throughout his football career.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his release from the Seattle Seahawks practice squad in December 2024, N’Keal Harry’s immediate professional football future remains uncertain. After six seasons in the NFL with four different franchises, Harry’s career demonstrated flashes of the talent that made him a first-round draft pick, including his collegiate success at Arizona State and early moments with the Patriots. His transition to tight end with the Vikings represented an attempt to extend his career by adapting his skill set to a new position. As of 2025, Harry’s status in professional football continues to evolve as he evaluates his options for continuing his athletic career.