Thomas Harper Bio
Thomas Westley Harper is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 5, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, he played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before launching his NFL career. Standing 5 ft 10 in and listed at 189 lb, Harper has built his path to the league as an undrafted free agent, steadily earning roster opportunities across multiple franchises.
After a winding first two professional seasons that included stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, Harper joined the Detroit Lions in late August 2025. His progression from a two-star high school recruit to a starting-caliber safety in the NFL reflects a steady, workmanlike climb through the ranks of American football.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Westley Harper was born on November 5, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to his parents Kevin and Alacia. He grew up in the Knoxville area and attended Karns High School, where he first developed as a multi-sport athlete. Before turning to football, Harper spent his early years playing basketball, a background that helped shape his athleticism and court awareness.
As a sophomore at Karns High School, Harper tried out for the football team and quickly established himself as a two-way player. He became a top wide receiver and defensive back for the Karns Beavers, earning all-district and all-region honors while being named team MVP. He was the first player in school history to record over 1,000 receiving yards, finishing his high school career with impressive production on both sides of the ball.
During his junior season, Harper totaled 1,086 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and was named all-state. As a senior, he recorded 1,279 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 155 tackles, 16 passes defended, and three interceptions on defense. Rated as a two-star recruit, he chose Oklahoma State, the only Power Five program to extend an offer, in part to play alongside his older brother, linebacker Devin Harper.
Path to American Football
Harper’s journey to the NFL began as a late-blooming high school prospect who turned a basketball background into a versatile football skill set. His production at Karns High School drew the attention of college scouts despite his modest recruiting rating. Oklahoma State’s offer gave him an opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football and to join his brother on the same roster.
At Oklahoma State, Harper worked his way up from a special teams role as a true freshman to a starting position by his senior season. His combination of size, tackling ability, and coverage skills made him a reliable defender in the Big 12 Conference. After the 2022 season, he transferred to Notre Dame to use his final year of eligibility, adding experience in a different conference and against a higher level of competition.
Going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft did not slow Harper’s progress. His college film, special teams experience, and defensive versatility positioned him as a priority undrafted free agent, opening the door to his professional career in the NFL.
Thomas Harper Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Harper’s college career at Oklahoma State began in 2019, when he appeared in 12 games as a true freshman, primarily on special teams, recording 13 tackles. The following season, he played all 11 games, including one start, and posted 31 tackles while earning second-team Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors. His steady development on coverage units and as a reserve defensive back helped him build a foundation for a larger role.
In 2021, Harper played 12 games and totaled 20 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss, continuing to contribute on special teams and in the secondary. He won a starting role in 2022, appearing in seven games and recording 30 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss before deciding to transfer. Seeking a final season of growth, he joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2023.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2023)
Harper transferred to Notre Dame for the 2023 season, appearing in 11 games and posting 39 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, three passes defended, and two sacks. His production in a new defensive scheme showed expanded range as a pass rusher and run defender. He was on track to play in the postseason before opting out of Notre Dame’s 2023 Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State due to injury, closing his college career on a strong statistical note.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Harper signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. His opportunity with the Chargers was brief, as he was waived on August 27, 2024, as part of the team’s final roster cuts. Although his time in Los Angeles was short, the experience gave Harper his first taste of an NFL training camp and preseason routine.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–2025)
On August 28, 2024, Harper was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders, securing his spot on an active roster early in his rookie season. With the Raiders, he carved out a role in the secondary and on special teams, gaining valuable in-game experience throughout the 2024 campaign. He remained with Las Vegas until August 28, 2025, when he was waived as the team shaped its roster.
Detroit Lions Era (2025–Present)
On August 29, 2025, Harper was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, where he currently wears jersey number 12 and is listed as a safety on the active roster. Joining a competitive defensive room in Detroit, he has continued to contribute on special teams and in reserve defensive roles. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 63 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections, showing growth as a playmaker in the secondary.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harper is a compact, physical safety whose basketball background shows up in his quick reactions and field awareness. He excels in run support and tackling in space, using his 5 ft 10 in, 189 lb frame to deliver sure tackles near the line of scrimmage. His coverage skills, refined through Big 12 and Notre Dame schemes, allow him to play effectively in zone looks, while his special teams reliability has kept him on NFL rosters across three organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Harper’s early career came when he became the first player in Karns High School history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, signaling his arrival as a legitimate college prospect. In the NFL, his transition from undrafted free agent to a productive safety with multiple interceptions in his first two seasons stands out as a milestone of perseverance. Being claimed off waivers three times in roughly thirteen months also highlights his consistent value to teams building out their defensive depth.
Thomas Harper Career Wins
Although Thomas Westley Harper’s professional resume is still in its early chapters, his statistical production since joining the Detroit Lions illustrates steady development. Through the 2025 season, he has accumulated 63 total tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections, while also chipping in a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His first NFL interceptions came during the 2024 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his arrival as a ball-hawking presence in the secondary.
Detroit Lions Highlights
Since joining the Detroit Lions in late August 2025, Harper has served as an active safety and core special teams contributor. His growing tackle totals and ability to break on the football in coverage have been central to his role within the Lions defense. As the 2025 season continues, his production in both run support and pass coverage remains a key storyline for his development in Detroit.
Other Performances
During his 2024 stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, Harper appeared in regular season games and contributed on defense and special teams, helping him earn a longer look in the league. His 2023 season at Notre Dame, where he posted 39 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, three passes defended, and two sacks, remains his most productive college campaign. Earlier, his senior season at Karns High School, with 1,279 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, marked him as one of Tennessee’s most productive two-way players.
Thomas Harper Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Thomas Westley Harper was born to his parents Kevin and Alacia and raised in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area. His older brother, Devin Harper, is a linebacker who has played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the Harper family a notable football lineage. The two brothers overlapped at Oklahoma State, where Devin played linebacker while Thomas worked his way up in the secondary, sharing a rare family connection at a Power Five program.
Personal Life
Harper’s personal life centers on his family roots in Knoxville and his close relationship with his brother, Devin. Choosing Oklahoma State in part to play alongside his brother underscored the importance of family in his development as a player. Off the field, he maintains a public presence on social media, where he engages with fans and shares updates from his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Thomas Westley Harper’s first full year with the Detroit Lions after being claimed off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders in late August. He has quickly integrated into the Lions’ secondary, serving as an active safety while handling core special teams duties. His stat line through the season, including 63 total tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections, reflects his expanded role and growing comfort in Detroit’s defensive scheme.
Harper’s ability to contribute in multiple phases, from run support to zone coverage, has made him a valuable rotational piece for the Lions. The trust shown by the Detroit coaching staff, evident in his continued active status, suggests a long-term fit if his development continues. With the defense leaning on his tackling and turnover-producing instincts, Harper has positioned himself as a depth player with starter-level production in key stretches.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the 2025 season offers Harper a chance to cement his role in Detroit and build toward a more prominent position in 2026. Continued growth in pass coverage and turnover creation could elevate him from a waiver claim to a long-term piece of the Lions’ secondary. His journey from a two-star recruit in Knoxville to an active NFL safety remains one of the NFL’s quietly compelling development stories.
