Harold Landry Bio
Harold Antonio Landry III is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 5, 1996, in Spring Lake, North Carolina, he played college football for the Boston College Eagles before being selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Landry has built his reputation as a pass-rushing edge defender, with career production that includes a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and steady sack totals throughout his NFL tenure.
Early Life and Background
Harold Antonio Landry III was born in Spring Lake, North Carolina, on June 5, 1996, to Doreen and Harold Landry. He grew up in the Fayetteville area of North Carolina and attended Pine Forest High School, where he played multiple positions on the defensive side of the football. As a senior, he produced 96 tackles and 17 sacks, drawing attention from college recruiters around the country.
After finishing high school, Landry committed to Boston College to continue his football career. He joined a program with a strong defensive tradition and developed physically during his college years, eventually reaching a listed height of 6 feet 2 inches and 252 pounds as a professional.
Path to American Football
Landry appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman at Boston College in 2014, recording 11 tackles while adjusting to the college game. As a sophomore, he became a starter and produced 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks across 12 appearances, showing the pass-rushing traits that would later define his professional profile.
His breakout came as a junior in 2016, when he led the nation with 16.5 sacks and set a Boston College single-season record, earning Second-team All-ACC honors. He returned for his senior year rather than entering the 2017 NFL Draft and was named Third-team All-ACC in 2017. Landry was invited to the Senior Bowl but skipped the event because of a lingering ankle injury, and he participated in the NFL Combine on March 4, 2018, ahead of the draft.
Harold Landry Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Landry was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round, 41st overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft and signed his rookie contract on June 14, 2018. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Houston Texans and recorded his first career sack in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, taking down quarterback Carson Wentz in a 26–23 overtime victory. He finished his rookie season with 4.5 sacks, 44 tackles, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
In his second professional season in 2019, Landry posted a then-career-high nine sacks along with 68 tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and a pass deflection. He recorded a strip sack against Jameis Winston and his first career interception off Kyle Allen, and he added a postseason sack of Lamar Jackson during a Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Landry continued his growth as a starter in 2020, finishing with 5.5 sacks, a then-career-high 69 tackles, an interception, and a career-high five pass deflections. He added two more sacks of Lamar Jackson in the Wild Card round against the Ravens, helping establish him as a core piece of the Titans defense.
The 2021 season was his most productive year. Landry set career highs with 12 sacks and 74 tackles, also adding a forced fumble as Tennessee finished atop the AFC at 12–5. On January 26, 2022, he was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, marking his first appearance in the league’s annual all-star game.
Return and Final Titans Years (2022–2024)
On March 8, 2022, Landry signed a five-year, $87.5 million extension with $52.5 million guaranteed. His momentum was halted on August 31, 2022, when he tore his ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve, prematurely ending his season.
He returned as a starter in 2023 alongside Denico Autry and Arden Key, recording three sacks and five tackles in a Week 14 win over the Miami Dolphins to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week, finishing with 69 tackles and 10.5 sacks. In 2024, Landry started all 17 games and recorded his first career safety against C.J. Stroud in a Week 32–27 upset win over the Houston Texans, finishing with 71 tackles, nine sacks, 18 pressures, and four pass deflections. On February 26, 2025, the Titans granted him permission to seek a trade and released him on March 7 after failing to find a trade partner.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Landry signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the New England Patriots. In his Patriots debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, he recorded 2.5 sacks of quarterback Geno Smith, signaling an immediate impact on his new defense.
Across 15 games in 2025, Landry posted 49 total tackles (27 solo), 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, continuing his consistent pass-rushing production. His contract with New England runs through the 2028 season, anchoring the Patriots’ edge-rushing unit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Landry is known for his quick first step, length on the edge, and ability to convert speed to power against offensive tackles. He pairs his rush skills with disciplined run defense and coverage awareness, allowing defensive coordinators to keep him on the field in a wide variety of situations. His sack totals in 2021, 2023, and 2025 reflect a player who has learned to pair technique with patience at the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his 16.5-sack junior season at Boston College, his first career Pro Bowl in 2022, the five-year extension he signed with Tennessee in March 2022, and his first career safety against the Houston Texans in 2024. His transition to the New England Patriots in March 2025 marked the beginning of his second NFL chapter.
Harold Landry Career Wins
Harold Landry’s career is measured primarily in production and honors rather than head-to-head win totals, and his verified accolades include a 2021 Pro Bowl selection and All-ACC recognition in 2016 and 2017.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
Across seven seasons with the Titans from 2018 to 2024, Landry established himself as one of the franchise’s most productive edge rushers, including a 12-sack season in 2021 and a 10.5-sack rebound in 2023 after his ACL injury. He made his biggest postseason impact in the 2019 Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens and the 2020 Wild Card round against the same opponent, recording multiple sacks in each game.
Other Performances
At the college level, Landry set a Boston College single-season record with 16.5 sacks in 2016 and earned Second-team All-ACC honors that year, followed by Third-team All-ACC recognition in 2017. His pre-draft profile was strong enough that mock drafts frequently linked him to the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Tennessee Titans before the 2018 NFL Draft.
Harold Landry Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Landry was raised by his parents, Doreen and Harold Landry, in the Spring Lake and Fayetteville area of North Carolina. His father, also named Harold Landry, supported his early athletic development, and the family has remained a steady presence throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Harold Landry is married to his wife, Danielle, and the couple has two sons, Greyson and Ollie. He and Greyson share the same June 5 birthday. The family has been based in the United States throughout his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Harold Landry’s 2025 campaign was his first with the New England Patriots after signing a three-year contract in March. In 15 games, he produced 49 total tackles (27 solo), 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, immediately establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Patriots’ pass rush.
His debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he logged 2.5 sacks of Geno Smith, set the tone for the year and gave the Patriots defensive staff confidence in his fit within their scheme. Landry’s sack production placed him among the team’s defensive leaders and validated New England’s decision to invest in him as a free-agent addition.
Looking ahead, Landry is signed through the 2028 season and is expected to remain a starter on the edge for New England. With a full offseason in the Patriots’ system and continued health, he is positioned to chase another double-digit sack season and a return to the Pro Bowl in the coming years.
