Charles Harris Bio
Charles Harris (born March 6, 1995) is an American former professional football defensive end who spent his career in the National Football League. He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, where he was taken 22nd overall. Harris later suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers before finishing his career as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a Super Bowl champion after the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 250 pounds, Harris was a pass rusher who built a reputation as a developmental edge defender with starter upside coming out of the SEC. Across his NFL career, he recorded 195 total tackles, 19.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and five pass deflections, according to his official career statistics.
Early Life and Background
Charles Harris was born on March 6, 1995, in Kansas City, Missouri, where he grew up and developed into one of the most heavily recruited defensive prospects in the state. He attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, the same Kansas City high school that helped launch his football career. As a junior, Harris posted 40 tackles and six sacks, showcasing early signs of the edge-rushing ability that would later define his reputation.
During his senior season, Harris elevated his production with 60 tackles and 12 sacks, putting himself firmly on the radar of college recruiters nationwide. He was also used as a tight end-like weapon on offense, catching 15 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating the type of overall athleticism that NFL scouts would later value. Beyond football, Harris played basketball in high school and trained in boxing, two pursuits that helped sharpen his footwork, hand speed, and competitive toughness.
Path to the NFL
Coming out of Lincoln Prep, Harris was a consensus top-rated defensive end and one of the most sought-after pass rushers in the country. He ultimately chose to commit to the University of Missouri, joining a Southeastern Conference program known for producing NFL defensive linemen. The decision to play in the SEC gave Harris a chance to test himself against the best collegiate competition in the country on a weekly basis.
After redshirting his first year at Missouri in 2013, Harris appeared in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2014, recording 19 tackles and two sacks while learning the speed of the college game. He took over as a full-time starter in 2015 and delivered a breakout season with 56 tackles and seven sacks, which earned him Second-team All-SEC honors. He repeated as a Second-team All-SEC selection in 2016, cementing his status as one of the top edge rushers in college football and a likely first-round pick.
Charles Harris Career
Pre-Draft and Draft Selection
Entering the 2017 NFL draft process, Harris was invited to the NFL Combine, where he completed all drills except the short shuttle and three-cone drill. He returned to Missouri for his Pro Day, where he ran the short shuttle, three-cone drill, vertical jump, and broad jump, and performed positional drills for scouts. He was projected by draft experts as a first or second round pick, and was ranked the seventh-best edge rusher by Sports Illustrated, the third-best linebacker by ESPN, and the fifth-best defensive end by analysts Bucky Brooks, Mike Mayock, and NFLDraftScout.com.
The Miami Dolphins selected Harris in the first round with the 22nd overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft, giving him a clear runway to develop into a long-term pass-rushing answer. His draft slot reflected both the Dolphins’ belief in his raw tools and the strong impression he had made on league evaluators over three years at Missouri.
Miami Dolphins (2017–2019)
Harris spent his first three NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins after arriving as a first-round pick in 2017. He worked into the defensive end rotation as a rookie, learning the speed and complexity of professional offensive lines while contributing on passing downs. Over the next two seasons, he continued to add strength and polish to his game, gradually earning more snaps as an edge defender.
Despite flashes of the athletic ability that made him a first-round selection, Harris struggled to consistently produce as a full-time starter in Miami’s defensive scheme. On May 1, 2020, the Dolphins traded Harris to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2021 seventh-round draft pick, closing out his first chapter in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons (2020)
After arriving in Atlanta via trade, Harris was waived of his fifth-year option the very next day, making him a free agent following the 2020 season. He joined a Falcons defense in transition and was asked to provide edge depth during a shortened and unusual offseason. Harris appeared in multiple games for Atlanta, including a notable Week 8 contest against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football.
That Panthers game proved eventful, as Harris was ejected after hitting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s head while Bridgewater was sliding, an example of the league’s strict enforcement of player safety rules. His lone season in Atlanta ended without a long-term commitment, setting up his next free-agent move.
Detroit Lions (2021–2023)
On March 19, 2021, Harris signed with the Detroit Lions, where he would enjoy the most stable and productive stretch of his NFL career. He earned a rotational role as a defensive end, and his strong play led the Lions to reward him with a two-year, $13 million contract extension signed on March 18, 2022. The deal reflected the organization’s belief that Harris had finally found his footing in a defensive system that fit his skill set.
His time in Detroit was not without setbacks, as he was placed on injured reserve on November 28 during his extended tenure with the team. Even so, Harris became a reliable veteran presence on the Lions’ defensive line across three seasons, providing both pass-rushing production and leadership in the locker room before reaching free agency again.
Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles (2024)
On September 11, 2024, Harris signed with the Carolina Panthers, returning to a familiar opponent’s roster as a veteran pass rusher. He was waived by Carolina on November 25, ending a brief stint with the team. Just one day later, on November 26, 2024, Harris was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, giving him an opportunity to join a contending roster deep into the season.
Harris made his Eagles debut on December 8, 2024, playing four defensive snaps in a 22–16 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He was waived by Philadelphia on December 28 but re-signed to the team’s practice squad on December 31. He finished the season as a member of the Eagles’ practice squad and was part of the team that won Super Bowl LIX, a 40–22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Charles Harris Career Wins
Charles Harris did not record an individual championship or a major statistical award at the NFL level, but his career was highlighted by team success and consistent rotational production. His signature team accomplishment came with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was part of the Super Bowl LIX championship roster after the Eagles’ 40–22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Earlier in his career, Harris was a two-time Second-team All-SEC selection in 2015 and 2016, the only individual honors verified from his playing record.
NFL Statistics Highlights
Across his NFL career, Harris appeared in games for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles. According to his official career statistics, he finished with 195 total tackles, 19.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and five pass deflections. His most productive run came during his three seasons with the Detroit Lions, where his pass-rushing consistency helped him land a two-year, $13 million contract extension in March 2022.
Other Performances
At the collegiate level, Harris was a two-time Second-team All-SEC selection, one of the most decorated individual honors available to a Missouri Tigers defender during his era. He posted 56 tackles and seven sacks during his breakout 2015 season and continued to produce as a starter in 2016. He is also a Super Bowl LIX champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, the only verified team championship of his professional career.
Charles Harris Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public, verified details about Charles Harris’s immediate family, parents, and personal relationships are not available from the supplied source material. Harris is known to have grown up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, but specific information about his parents, siblings, or extended family has not been confirmed.
Personal Life
Verified information about Charles Harris’s marital status, spouse, or children is not available. Outside of football, Harris was known in his younger years for playing basketball and taking boxing classes, two activities that complemented his development as a defensive end. Any further details about his personal life are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
2025 Outlook
Charles Harris was listed as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles organization in 2024, including time on the practice squad late in the season, and is a Super Bowl LIX champion. With the official bio describing him as a former professional football player, his on-field outlook for 2025 is not confirmed by current verified sources. Any potential return to the field, coaching role, or front-office involvement with an NFL team in 2025 has not been documented in the materials provided.