Ronnie Harrison Bio
Ronnie Harrison Jr. (born April 18, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played safety earlier in his career before making a permanent switch to linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts. Harrison played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Across his professional career, he has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons.
Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 207 lb, Harrison has built his reputation as a versatile defensive contributor who can play in coverage, support the run game, and deliver tackles in space. He is a two-time College Football Playoff national champion and a former First-team All-SEC selection.
Early Life and Background
Ronnie Harrison Jr. was born on April 18, 1997, in Tallahassee, Florida. He grew up in the Tallahassee area and attended Florida State University School, a local institution tied to Florida State University. The school has long produced notable college-level talent, and Harrison’s time there helped shape his development as a two-way football player.
At Florida State University School, Harrison played both quarterback and safety, demonstrating his athletic versatility at an early age. As a senior, he recorded 39 tackles on defense while also contributing 2,076 passing yards with 13 touchdowns, 1,015 rushing yards, and 16 rushing touchdowns on offense. His rare ability to impact games on both sides of the ball made him one of the most sought-after high school recruits in the region.
Following his senior season, Harrison committed to the University of Alabama to play college football, choosing the Crimson Tide over other major programs. His decision to attend Alabama placed him in one of the most competitive defensive pipelines in college football.
Path to American Football
Harrison arrived at the University of Alabama in 2015 as a true freshman and quickly carved out a role on the Crimson Tide defense. In his first season, he served as a backup and recorded 17 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack, contributing to a defense that won the College Football Playoff national championship that year.
As a sophomore in 2016, Harrison took over as the starting safety and delivered a breakout campaign, finishing with 86 tackles, two interceptions, and one touchdown. His combination of size, range, and physicality made him a centerpiece of the Alabama secondary and helped solidify his draft stock heading into his final college season.
Following the 2017 campaign, in which he earned First-team All-SEC honors and won a second College Football Playoff national title, Harrison announced on January 11, 2018, that he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft. He was projected as a second-round pick and ranked among the top safety prospects in his class by multiple draft analysts.
Ronnie Harrison Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Harrison in the third round with the 93rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, making him the seventh safety taken that year. On May 24, 2018, the Jaguars signed him to a four-year, $3.38 million contract that included a signing bonus of $803,032. He entered his rookie season as the backup strong safety behind veteran Barry Church.
Harrison was elevated to the starting role in Week 13 of his rookie season after Church was a healthy scratch, and he was officially named the starter on December 14, 2018. However, in the following game in Week 15, Harrison suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on December 17, 2018. In 2019, he posted a strong Week 3 performance against the Tennessee Titans with a team-leading 10 tackles, recorded his first interception of the season against Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, and added an interception and a fumble recovery in a Week 7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2018–2019)
Harrison’s two seasons in Jacksonville established him as a physical, downhill safety with strong tackling ability. Although his rookie year ended prematurely due to a knee injury, his 2019 play showed consistent growth, particularly in run support and short-area coverage. His performance gave the Jaguars a young defensive building block before the team ultimately decided to move in a different direction at the position.
On September 3, 2020, Harrison was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, concluding his tenure in Jacksonville.
Cleveland Browns Era (2020–2022)
Harrison quickly made an impact in Cleveland. In Week 5 of the 2020 season against the Indianapolis Colts, he intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, marking his first interception as a Brown and his first career NFL touchdown. The following week against the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded his first career sack, taking down Joe Burrow in a 37–34 win.
His 2020 season was interrupted in December when he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, though he was activated on December 30, 2020. During the 2021 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Harrison was ejected after a confrontation involving running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and a member of the Chiefs coaching staff, and he was later fined $12,128. On April 12, 2022, Harrison signed a contract to return to the Browns, completing his Cleveland tenure.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–2024)
On August 14, 2023, Harrison signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was released on August 29, 2023, before being re-signed to the practice squad. On November 21, 2023, the Colts promoted him to the active roster and announced a position switch from safety to linebacker, a transition that would define the next phase of his career. In his first game back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass in the first quarter, and two weeks later he returned a Jake Browning interception 36 yards for a touchdown.
On March 13, 2024, Harrison re-signed with the Colts on a one-year contract. He was released on August 25, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 28, 2024. His time in Indianapolis allowed him to establish himself as a hybrid defender capable of playing in the box while retaining coverage skills.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025)
On August 10, 2025, Harrison signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On October 25, 2025, Harrison was signed to the Atlanta active roster, where he continued to contribute as a linebacker.
Miami Dolphins Era (2026–Present)
On March 25, 2026, Harrison signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, where he currently wears number 56 and remains an active member of the roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Harrison is known for his physical tackling in the box, short-area quickness, and ability to play effectively in both run support and coverage. His transition from safety to linebacker has allowed him to leverage his coverage instincts while embracing the run-fit responsibilities of the position. Throughout his career, he has shown a knack for forcing fumbles, breaking up passes, and delivering timely interceptions, including multiple pick-sixes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Harrison’s signature moments are his 47-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 and his 36-yard pick-six against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. He is also a two-time College Football Playoff national champion (2015, 2017) and a First-team All-SEC honoree (2017).
Ronnie Harrison Career Wins
As a defensive player, Ronnie Harrison Jr.’s statistical milestones include 274 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 7 interceptions, 27 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive touchdowns through the 2025 NFL season. He has also recorded multiple multi-interception performances and a 47-yard pick-six, marking him as a proven playmaker in the defensive secondary and at linebacker.
Jacksonville Jaguars Highlights
During his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Harrison appeared in games from 2018 through 2019, starting late in his rookie season and contributing on defense and special teams. He recorded interceptions, fumble recoveries, and a team-leading tackle performance against the Titans in 2019.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
With the Cleveland Browns, Harrison played from 2020 through 2022, posting his first career NFL touchdown and first career sack during the 2020 season. He appeared in coverage, run support, and special teams roles throughout his Browns tenure.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Harrison joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, where he made an immediate impact with interceptions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals, including a pick-six. He was re-signed in 2024 and contributed as a linebacker.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
Harrison signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, was waived as part of final cuts, re-signed to the practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster on October 25, 2025.
Ronnie Harrison Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ronnie Harrison Jr.’s parents and broader family background is limited, and no verified family details are available in the provided sources. He is known publicly by his full name, Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Personal Life
Ronnie Harrison Jr. was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, where he attended Florida State University School. Verified public information about his spouse, partner, or children is not available in the provided sources.
2025 Season Performance
Ronnie Harrison Jr.’s 2025 season began when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 10, 2025. After being waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, he was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, keeping him within the organization.
On October 25, 2025, Harrison was promoted to the Falcons’ active roster, providing the team with additional linebacker depth for the second half of the season. His role allowed him to continue his development at the linebacker position, a transition he had made with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
Looking ahead, Harrison signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 25, 2026, signaling continued opportunity at the NFL level and a fresh start with a new defensive scheme. His proven ability to contribute on special teams, in coverage, and in run support positions him well for an expanded role in 2026.
