Demone Harris Bio
Demone Harris (born December 30, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Harris built his career through perseverance, going from an undrafted free agent to a Super Bowl champion in less than two seasons. He has spent time on the rosters and practice squads of multiple National Football League franchises since 2018.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 265 pounds, Harris is known for his size and athleticism on the edge. Over the course of his professional career, he has been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers.
Early Life and Background
Demone Harris grew up in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, where he attended Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School. During his high school years, Harris focused primarily on basketball and did not begin playing football until his junior year. His late introduction to the sport required him to develop his skills quickly while balancing the demands of both athletics and academics.
Despite arriving late to football, Harris showed enough promise at Bishop Timon – St. Jude to attract college attention. He continued his football development in his hometown, eventually earning the opportunity to walk on at the University at Buffalo. That pathway to the college level set the stage for his emergence as a legitimate professional prospect.
Path to American Football
Harris attended the University at Buffalo, where he walked on to the football program and redshirted as a freshman. His early years with the Buffalo Bulls required patience and steady physical development as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of the college game. The program offered him a foundation that few walk-ons are able to secure.
By his redshirt junior season in 2017, Harris had developed into a recognized contributor for the Bulls. He was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, an award that honors the nation’s top player who began his career as a walk-on, and he was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team. These honors demonstrated that his perseverance had translated into measurable on-field production.
Demone Harris Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Demone Harris entered the NFL in 2018 after going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. After being waived at the start of the regular season, Harris was quickly signed to the Buccaneers practice squad and eventually promoted to the active roster on October 10. He made his NFL debut on October 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, contributing on special teams.
Following his initial stint in Tampa Bay, Harris bounced between practice squad opportunities during 2019. On October 22, 2019, he was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad after an injury to linebacker Pernell McPhee. Less than a month later, on November 21, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him off the Ravens practice squad, opening the next chapter of his career.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Harris played his first game for the Kansas City Chiefs on December 8, 2019, at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots. In that contest, he recorded his first career tackle, bringing down New England running back Rex Burkhead. Just weeks later, on February 2, 2020, Harris was part of the Chiefs roster that won Super Bowl LIV by a score of 31–20 over the San Francisco 49ers, claiming the biggest prize in the sport as a young professional.
His time in Kansas City featured a steady stream of elevations and practice squad moves throughout 2020 and into 2021. Harris appeared in one game during the 2020 season, recording three tackles of Melvin Gordon in a blowout win over the Denver Broncos on October 25. He re-signed with the Chiefs on February 9, 2021, and continued to serve as a depth edge rusher through the preseason before ultimately moving on from the organization later that year.
Houston Texans Era (2021–2023)
On November 10, 2021, Demone Harris was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 11, 2022, signaling the franchise’s intent to keep him in the fold. The following preseason, on August 30, 2022, Harris was waived by the Texans but returned to the practice squad the next day.
Harris was promoted to the Texans’ active roster on September 10, 2022, before being waived again on November 2 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 11, 2023. On August 2, 2023, Harris was released by the Texans and announced his retirement from the NFL, temporarily stepping away from the professional game.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–2024)
Just two weeks after announcing his retirement, Harris came out of retirement and signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 15, 2023. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the team’s practice squad on September 18. Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 10, 2024.
On August 27, 2024, Harris was released by the Falcons and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on November 29, finishing the year with Atlanta. His time with the Falcons showed his continued value as a veteran depth piece on the defensive line.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025)
On August 14, 2025, Demone Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers. His tenure with the team was brief, as he was released on August 20, 2025. Despite the short stay, his signing reflected continued interest from around the league in his size and experience as a defensive end.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Harris’s career remains his participation in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory on February 2, 2020. That championship capped a swift rise from undrafted free agent to a professional playing on football’s biggest stage. His first career tackle against Rex Burkhead and his three-tackle game against the Denver Broncos also stand out as personal benchmarks along the way.
Demone Harris Career Wins
Demone Harris’s career wins are anchored by his Super Bowl LIV championship with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Beyond that team title, his professional resume is built around steady contributions as a rotational defensive lineman and a reliable practice squad contributor. The combination of his championship ring and longevity across six NFL organizations is the hallmark of a grinding professional journey.
Demone Harris Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Demone Harris was raised in Buffalo, New York, and attended Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School, the same city where he later starred at the University at Buffalo. His path into football came later than most, having focused on basketball before his junior year of high school. That late start required significant family and personal support as he transitioned between sports and ultimately committed to the gridiron.
2025 Season Performance
Demone Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 14, 2025, signaling his intent to extend his career into a new season. He was released by the team on August 20, 2025, ending a brief preseason stint with the organization. The transaction left him as a free agent available to sign with another franchise as training camps progressed around the league.
Given his history of joining practice squads and being elevated midseason, Harris remained a viable depth option for teams in need of edge-rushing help during the 2025 campaign. His veteran experience, combined with his size and prior Super Bowl credentials, gave him a profile that front offices around the league have consistently valued. Should an opportunity arise, his track record suggests another quick ascent from practice squad contributor to active roster contributor is well within reach.