Najee Harris

Najee Mzee Harris Bio

Najee Mzee Harris is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is known for his powerful running style, reliability as a receiver out of the backfield, and his durability as a workhorse back. He became one of the most decorated college running backs in Alabama history before beginning his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Najee Mzee Harris was born on March 9, 1998, in Martinez, California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of five children raised by a single mother. Harris spent time in a homeless shelter during middle school before his family moved to Antioch, California. His difficult upbringing shaped his resilience and determination later in life.

Harris attended Antioch High School in Antioch, California, where he became a standout football player. As a sophomore in 2014, he rushed for 2,263 yards with 23 touchdowns. His junior year saw him improve to 2,744 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. As a senior, he finished with 2,776 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top high school running backs in the country.

Path to the NFL

Harris was considered the number one recruit in the class of 2017 by Scout and Rivals, while 247Sports rated him as the number two overall recruit. He received offers from multiple top programs including Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, and Notre Dame. He verbally committed to Alabama in April 2015 but remained undecided between Michigan and Alabama until the day before spring classes began in January 2017. Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa persuaded Harris to join him, and Harris officially committed to the Crimson Tide. He was compared to Adrian Peterson by multiple recruiting experts and was considered one of the most hyped running back recruits since Leonard Fournette in 2014.

Najee Mzee Harris Career

College Career at Alabama (2017–2020)

Harris played for the University of Alabama from 2017 to 2020 under head coach Nick Saban. As a freshman, he played in all 14 games but had limited carries behind Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, and Josh Jacobs. He finished with 370 yards on 61 carries averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scored three rushing touchdowns. He was part of Alabama’s national championship team that defeated Georgia 26–23 in the title game.

In his sophomore season, Harris was third on the depth chart behind Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs. He had his best game against Arkansas State, carrying the ball 13 times for a career-high 135 yards. Harris played in 15 games, recording 783 rushing yards on 117 carries and scoring four rushing touchdowns.

In 2019, with Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs in the NFL, Harris became Alabama’s starting running back. He finished the season with 1,224 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, plus 27 receptions for 304 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Despite speculation he would enter the 2020 NFL Draft, Harris announced he would return for his senior year.

In the 2020 season shortened due to COVID-19, Harris had his best statistical year. He finished with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. His best game came against Ole Miss with 206 rushing yards and five touchdowns. In the SEC Championship, he had 245 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns. Harris finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. In the national championship against Ohio State, he had 158 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns in the 52–24 victory. He finished his college career as Alabama’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843), total scrimmage yards (4,624), and touchdowns (57). He was a unanimous All-American, won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, and led the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (26) and total touchdowns (30).

Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2024)

Harris was selected in the first round with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the first running back selected in that draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 25, 2021, worth $13.1 million including a $6.9 million signing bonus over four years. In Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Harris recorded 142 all-purpose yards including 14 catches, tying the NFL record for most catches in a game by a rookie running back. In Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 122 yards on 23 carries and a rushing touchdown.

Harris finished his rookie season with 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, plus 74 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns. He led the NFL with 381 touches and had zero fumbles. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2022, Harris dealt with a Lisfranc sprain suffered in training camp. Despite the injury, he finished with 1,038 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. His best game came in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens with a season-high 111 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown. He became the first Steelers player to rush for 1,000 yards in their first two seasons.

In 2023, Harris rushed for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, becoming the only running back in Steelers franchise history to start their career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. In the 2024 season, he rushed for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns while catching 36 passes for 283 yards. The Steelers declined the fifth-year option on his contract in May 2024. Harris made his final appearance with Pittsburgh in the AFC Wild Card round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Los Angeles Chargers (2025–Present)

On March 12, 2025, Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $9.5 million contract. However, his debut season with the Chargers was cut short when he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, ending his 2025 campaign.

Playing Style and Strengths

Harris is known for his physical running style and ability to break tackles. He possesses excellent vision and patience, allowing holes to develop before hitting them. His durability as a workhorse back has been a hallmark throughout his career, with hundreds of touches per season in the NFL. He is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield, demonstrated by his 74 catches as a rookie. His ability to contribute in both the running and passing game makes him a complete back at the professional level.

Notable Events and Milestones

Harris achieved several significant milestones throughout his career. In college, he became Alabama’s all-time leader in rushing yards, scrimmage yards, and touchdowns. In the NFL, he became the first Steelers player to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and the only running back in franchise history to achieve three straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career. His rookie season performance, leading the NFL in touches with zero fumbles, showcased his reliability and ball security.

Najee Mzee Harris Career Wins and Achievements

Harris has accumulated numerous accolades across his college and professional career. In the NFL, he has been selected to the Pro Bowl and named to the All-Rookie Team. In college, he was a two-time College Football Playoff national champion, a unanimous All-American, and the Doak Walker Award winner. He led the NCAA in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns during the 2020 season.

NFL Highlights

Harris has recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start his NFL career. He has accumulated 4,373 career rushing yards with 28 rushing touchdowns and 183 receptions for 1,174 receiving yards with six receiving touchdowns. His rookie season of 1,200 rushing yards and 381 total touches with zero fumbles remains one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns for a running back in NFL history.

College Achievements

Harris finished his Alabama career as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843), total scrimmage yards (4,624), and touchdowns (57). He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in 2020 and was named a unanimous All-American. He was a two-time CFP national champion and led the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (26) and total touchdowns (30) during his senior season.

Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Harris grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area raised by a single mother. He was one of five children in his family. During his middle school years, Harris and his family lived in a homeless shelter before eventually moving to Antioch, California. This background has profoundly shaped his character and his commitment to giving back to communities facing similar challenges.

Personal Life

Harris graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Consumer Sciences in 2020. In January 2019, he signed with Beast Mode Marketing, the marketing agency of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch. On the day of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris declined the invitation to attend the event in Cleveland, Ohio, instead hosting a party for children served at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, the homeless shelter where he spent part of his childhood. He later watched the draft at a restaurant owned by Marshawn Lynch in Emeryville, California.

In 2021, Harris founded the Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation with assistance from California governor Gavin Newsom. The nonprofit organization provides assistance to families impacted by homelessness and hunger. During his college career, Harris celebrated touchdowns by striking the iconic World Cup pose of Megan Rapinoe, saying he found her views on feminism and standing for her beliefs as motivating and inspirational. In July 2025, Harris suffered an unspecified superficial eye injury during a Fourth of July celebration, though the injury was not serious.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with Harris joining the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed a one-year, $9.5 million contract in March 2025, marking a new chapter in his NFL career. The addition of Harris gave the Chargers a proven workhorse back who had demonstrated the ability to handle heavy workloads throughout his career. The Chargers coaching staff was optimistic about integrating Harris into their offensive scheme, leveraging both his rushing and receiving abilities.

However, the season took a dramatic turn in Week 3 when Harris suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a victory over the Denver Broncos. The injury ended his 2025 season immediately and raised questions about his future trajectory. The Achilles injury is one of the most serious in professional sports, typically requiring 9 to 12 months of recovery. This setback occurred just weeks after he signed his new contract with the Chargers, creating uncertainty about his status for the 2026 season.

The injury came at a challenging time for Harris, who was still establishing himself within the Chargers organization. His leadership experience from Pittsburgh and his track record of durability before this injury provided some optimism for his recovery. The Chargers medical staff began working on his rehabilitation immediately. Looking ahead to 2026, Harris will need to prove he can return to form after the injury. His work ethic and determination, shaped by his difficult upbringing and previous challenges, will be tested as he works toward a comeback. The Chargers organization has expressed support for his recovery, though his long-term role with the team remains to be determined as he progresses through rehabilitation.