Deonte Harty Bio
Deonte Harty (né Harris; born December 4, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who has played in the National Football League since 2019. Standing 5 ft 6 in and listed at 170 lb, Harty has built his reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic return men while also contributing as a receiving option on offense. Over the course of his NFL career, he has suited up for the New Orleans Saints, the Buffalo Bills, and the Baltimore Ravens.
A native of the Baltimore area, Harty starred at Archbishop Curley High School before playing college football at Assumption University. Despite going undrafted in 2019, he immediately emerged as a Pro Bowl returner and All-Pro selection, an unusual path that has defined his professional story.
Early Life and Background
Deonte Harty was born on December 4, 1997, in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Middle River. He attended Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he played football, basketball, and track and field. At Curley, Harty developed into one of the most productive high school players in the Baltimore area, drawing attention for his speed and multi-sport athleticism.
As a senior in 2014, Harty was named the Varsity Sports Network Offensive Player of the Year for football. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors and was selected to The Baltimore Sun’s First-team All-Metro team. That season, he led the Friars to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) B Conference Championship and the program’s first undefeated football season, highlighted by a 28–0 shutout of Loyola Blakefield in which he produced 206 total yards and two touchdowns. He finished the year with 2,030 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns in ten games, including 1,450 rushing yards and 20 rushing scores.
Earlier in his high school career, Harty rushed for 933 yards and scored 18 touchdowns as a junior in 2013, then added 676 rushing yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore in 2012. His production across three varsity seasons established him as one of the top small-school offensive talents in the region.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Archbishop Curley, Harty was not heavily recruited by major college programs and committed to Assumption University, a Division II program in Worcester, Massachusetts. He played football for the Assumption Greyhounds from 2015 through 2018, where he set school records and continued to develop as a versatile skill player. His time at Assumption gave him the platform to showcase his speed and return ability to professional scouts.
Following his senior season, Harty declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. He went undrafted but drew interest from multiple teams thanks to his college production and his standout showing at pro day workouts. His path to the NFL mirrored that of many small-school prospects who rely on opportunity and special teams value to earn a roster spot.
Deonte Harty Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Harty signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and quickly impressed during the preseason, breaking free for a 78-yard touchdown return against the New York Jets. He earned a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster and opened his rookie season as the team’s primary kick returner, debuting on Monday Night Football against the Houston Texans.
During a Week 3 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Harty scored his first NFL touchdown on a 53-yard punt return, the league’s first punt return score of the 2019 season. He finished his rookie year as the NFL leader in punt returns, combined returns, and punt return yards, becoming the first undrafted player in Saints history to make the Pro Bowl. Harty was also named First-team All-Pro, selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and was one of just four players in the league to record a punt return touchdown that season.
New Orleans Saints Era (2019–2022)
After his standout rookie campaign, Harty continued to contribute on special teams and in the Saints’ passing game. He scored his first professional receiving touchdown in Week 7 of the 2020 season against the Carolina Panthers before a late-season stint on injured reserve cut his year short. In 2021, Harty was suspended three games after a July DUI arrest, an off-field incident that briefly interrupted his on-field momentum.
The Saints placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Harty in March 2022, signaling his continued value to the franchise. He was later placed on injured reserve in October 2022, and his time in New Orleans concluded at the end of that season after four years with the club.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Harty signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, where he became one of the team’s primary kick returners while also seeing action on offense. With Buffalo, he caught his first touchdown as a Bill against the New York Giants and quickly reestablished himself as a dangerous punt returner.
In the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, Harty delivered one of the signature moments of his career, returning a punt 96 yards for a touchdown to spark a fourth-quarter comeback as the Bills rallied to a 21–14 victory and clinched the AFC East title. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for that performance. Harty was released by the Bills on March 6, 2024.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–Present)
On April 14, 2024, Harty signed with the Baltimore Ravens, returning to his hometown area. With Baltimore, he has continued to serve as a return specialist while contributing on offense, providing the Ravens with a proven playmaker in the kicking game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Harty is widely regarded as one of the shiftiest return men in the NFL, using low pad level, sudden cuts, and elite acceleration to evade coverage units. Listed at 5 ft 6 in, he plays much larger than his frame, absorbing contact and finishing runs with balance. His versatility allows offensive coordinators to deploy him in the slot, on jet sweeps, and on traditional routes out of the receiver room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harty’s most celebrated moments include his 53-yard punt return touchdown against Seattle in 2019 and his 96-yard punt return score against Miami in 2023, the latter helping Buffalo capture the AFC East. He is also recognized as the first undrafted player in Saints history to earn a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, a milestone accomplished in his first NFL season.
Deonte Harty Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Deonte Harty has accumulated 79 receptions for 943 receiving yards, 123 rushing yards, 3,172 return yards, and 7 total touchdowns through the most recent completed seasons. His impact has been felt most prominently on special teams, where his field-flipping ability has regularly tilted field position for his teams.
NFL Highlights
Harty owns two of the most memorable punt return touchdowns of recent seasons: the 53-yarder against Seattle in 2019 and the 96-yarder against Miami in 2023. His 2019 campaign, which included a Pro Bowl nod, a First-team All-Pro selection, and an NFL punt return yards title, remains the cornerstone of his professional resume.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Harty captured the 2014 MIAA B Conference Championship at Archbishop Curley, leading the Friars to an undefeated season and a 56–14 title-game victory over St. Paul’s School. He also set multiple school records during his college career at Assumption University.
Deonte Harty Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Deonte Harty’s immediate family is limited. He was born Deonte Harris and, in December 2021, legally changed his surname to Harty to honor his stepfather, a personal decision that coincided with his emergence as one of the NFL’s top rookies.
Personal Life
Harty grew up in Middle River, Maryland, a Baltimore suburb, and returned to the region when he signed with the Ravens in 2024. Off the field, he has focused on professional football, with limited publicly available details about his personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Deonte Harty remains with the Baltimore Ravens, where he is expected to reprise his role as a primary return specialist and situational offensive contributor. His history of explosive plays, including the 96-yard punt return against Miami in 2023, gives Baltimore one of the league’s most reliable field-position weapons heading into the new campaign.
Harty’s veteran presence in the locker room, combined with his experience in both the Saints and Bills organizations, should help stabilize Baltimore’s special teams units. His ability to contribute in the slot and on motion plays also provides offensive coordinator flexibility in personnel groupings.
With health and opportunity on his side, Harty is positioned to add to his career totals of 79 receptions, 943 receiving yards, and 3,172 return yards. A productive 2025 campaign would further cement his reputation as one of the most consistent return men of his era.