Josh Harris

Josh Harris Bio

Josh Harris (born April 27, 1989) is an American professional football long snapper for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 224 pounds, Harris has built his career on the specialized skills of long snapping, a position that demands precision, consistency, and reliability. He has been active in the league since 2012 and is recognized as one of the most dependable specialists at his position.

After going undrafted out of Auburn in 2012, Harris signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent a decade establishing himself as a steady contributor. His career reached new heights in 2021 with his first Pro Bowl selection and a Second-team All-Pro honor. He later joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 and continues to serve in a key special teams role.

Early Life and Background

Josh Harris was born on April 27, 1989, in Fulda, Germany. Although born overseas, he grew up in the United States and developed his athletic foundation in the American South. He attended Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete. Harris competed in football, wrestling, and baseball, building the physical toughness and competitive discipline that would later serve him well in the NFL.

His high school years laid the groundwork for a future in college football. The combination of athletic versatility and work ethic helped Harris attract attention from college programs across the region. His experiences wrestling and throwing in baseball contributed to the hand-eye coordination and core strength required for the long snapping role.

Path to the NFL

Following high school, Josh Harris enrolled at Auburn University, where he played for the Auburn Tigers from 2007 through 2011. During his time with the Tigers, he contributed to one of the most successful eras in program history. Auburn captured the BCS National Championship in 2010, giving Harris early exposure to championship-level football and the high standards required of elite college programs.

After completing his college career, Harris entered the 2012 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. Although he was not selected in the draft, his performance at Auburn had prepared him for the next step. His opportunity came quickly when the Atlanta Falcons signed him to a rookie contract on April 26, 2012, launching a professional career that has now spanned more than a decade.

Josh Harris Career

Early Career with the Atlanta Falcons (2012-2014)

Josh Harris signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2012, just after the conclusion of that year’s NFL Draft. Heading into training camp, he competed with veteran long snapper Joe Zelenka for the primary snapping duties. Harris won the job during the preseason and made the 53-man roster, going on to make his NFL debut in a Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

His early tenure in Atlanta gave him a foundation of regular-season experience and special teams responsibility. By 2014, Harris had established himself as the team’s long snapper, and on September 17, 2014, he signed a four-year contract extension that kept him with the Falcons for the foreseeable future.

Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough and Super Bowl Run (2015-2021)

During the 2016 season, Josh Harris and the Atlanta Falcons put together one of the most prolific offensive performances in league history. The team advanced all the way to Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. The Falcons ultimately fell in heartbreaking fashion, losing 28-34 in overtime after holding a commanding lead late in the game.

Harris continued as the team’s long snapper into the late 2010s. On November 2, 2018, he signed a three-year extension with the Falcons through the 2021 season. Later that December, he was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. He returned to action and remained a key piece of the roster, and in September 2021 he was briefly waived and re-signed the following day. His strong play was recognized on December 22, 2021, when he was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He was later named Second-team All-Pro for the 2021 season, capping his Atlanta tenure with the highest individual honors of his career.

Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022-Present)

On March 16, 2022, Josh Harris signed a four-year, $5.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, ending a decade-long run in Atlanta. The move brought veteran experience and stability to the Chargers’ special teams unit and gave Harris an opportunity to extend his career in a new setting.

In August 2025, Harris was placed on injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury that required him to miss at least the first four games of the season. He was later activated on November 8, ahead of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On March 11, 2026, Harris re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year, $1.82 million contract, continuing his role with the franchise.

Driving Style and Strengths

Although long snapping does not involve driving a race car, the position demands its own form of precision and craft. Harris has earned a reputation for consistent snap accuracy, reliable timing on field goals and punts, and durable performance across a long NFL career. His ability to deliver clean, on-target snaps in varied weather and game situations has defined his value to multiple special teams units.

Notable Events and Milestones

Harris’s most notable on-field moment came during the 2016 season, when he helped the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots. He reached his highest individual recognition in 2021 with selections to the Pro Bowl and the Second-team All-Pro team. By 2025, he had played in 215 NFL games, recording 37 total tackles.

Josh Harris Career Wins

Josh Harris’s career success is measured less in traditional win totals and more in longevity, consistency, and special teams reliability. Across more than a decade in the NFL, he has been a steady presence on field goal, extra point, and punt units. His individual accolades, including a Pro Bowl nod and Second-team All-Pro selection, reflect the respect he has earned at his position.

Team and Championship Highlights

Harris won the BCS National Championship as a member of the Auburn Tigers in 2010, giving him an early taste of championship success. In the NFL, his deepest postseason run came during the 2016 season, when he helped the Atlanta Falcons reach Super Bowl LI. While Atlanta fell short in overtime, the run remains a defining team accomplishment of his career.

Other Performances

Beyond his team achievements, Harris has built a résumé marked by durability and steady contribution. He has appeared in 215 regular-season games through 2025, recording 37 total tackles, and he has been entrusted with the long snapping duties for two NFL franchises over the course of his career.

Josh Harris Family

Family Background and Personal Life

Josh Harris was born in Fulda, Germany, and later moved to the United States, where he was raised in Carrollton, Georgia. His upbringing in the American South shaped his path into high school and college football, and his background reflects a blend of international birth and American athletic development.

Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and Harris has kept much of his personal life private throughout his professional career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with a setback for Josh Harris, as he was placed on injured reserve on August 26 due to an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss at least the first four games. The Los Angeles Chargers turned to other options at long snapper during his absence while he worked toward a return. He was eventually activated on November 8, ahead of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, restoring veteran stability to the special teams unit for the second half of the season.

Following the season, Harris continued his commitment to the Chargers by signing a one-year, $1.82 million contract on March 11, 2026. The deal reflected both his experience and the value he brings to Los Angeles’ special teams. With more than 215 career games now behind him, Harris remains a trusted veteran presence whose precision and reliability continue to define his role in the league.