Josh Harris Bio
Josh Harris 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 weighing approximately 225 pounds, he has built a steady career as a specialist since entering the league in 2012. Harris earned his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 while with the Atlanta Falcons. He later signed a multi-year contract with the Chargers in March 2022.
Early Life and Background
Josh Harris was born on April 27, 1989, in Fulda, Germany. He later moved to the United States and grew up in Carrollton, Georgia, where he attended Carrollton High School. At Carrollton, Harris was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, and baseball, which gave him a varied athletic foundation before he specialized in football.
Although he was born in Germany, Harris developed as an athlete in Georgia, where the region’s strong football culture helped shape his early interest in the sport. His combination of size, coordination, and competitiveness across multiple sports made him an attractive college prospect. He eventually committed to Auburn University, one of the most storied programs in the Southeastern Conference.
Path to Professional Football
Harris played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was part of the 2010 squad that captured the BCS national championship. His time at Auburn allowed him to develop the precise snapping technique and consistency required of an NFL long snapper. Working with the Tigers’ special teams staff helped him refine the timing and accuracy that would later define his professional career.
Following the 2012 NFL Draft, Harris went unselected, but he quickly signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2012. He beat out veteran long snapper Joe Zelenka during the pre-season roster cutdown to 53 players, securing his place on the opening-week roster. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2012 season in a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Josh Harris Career
Early Career (2012–2013)
Harris spent his first two NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, serving as the team’s primary long snapper. His role involved handling snapping duties for field goals, extra points, and punts, and he quickly established himself as a reliable specialist. In his debut season, he contributed to a Falcons team that advanced deep into the playoffs, gaining valuable postseason experience early in his career.
By his second year, Harris had become a fixture in Atlanta’s special teams unit. Coaches trusted his consistency, and he continued to handle all snapping responsibilities without interruption. His dependability during his first contract set the stage for a long-term future in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2014–2021)
On September 17, 2014, Harris signed a four-year contract extension with the Falcons, cementing his role as the team’s long-term long snapper. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his performance and durability. He continued to handle snapping duties with little fanfare, a sign of stability in a specialist position that demands precision.
The 2016 season marked one of the defining moments of Harris’s career. He and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. Atlanta ultimately fell 34–28 in overtime, but Harris’s participation in the Super Bowl underscored his importance to a contending roster.
On November 2, 2018, Harris signed a three-year contract extension with the Falcons, keeping him in Atlanta through the 2021 season. Later that year, on December 4, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury, briefly interrupting his streak of availability. He returned healthy and resumed his duties in subsequent seasons.
In September 2021, Harris was briefly waived and re-signed the following day, a procedural move that did not interrupt his role. On December 22, 2021, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl, recognizing his outstanding work during the season. He was later named second-team All-Pro for 2021, validating a decade of consistency in Atlanta.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022–Present)
On March 16, 2022, Harris signed a four-year, $5.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, beginning a new chapter of his career. The move came after a successful run in Atlanta and gave the Chargers an experienced long snapper entering the prime of his career. Harris took over snapping duties in Los Angeles and continued to perform his role without major disruption.
His tenure with the Chargers has been marked by steady contributions on special teams. On August 26, 2025, Harris was placed on injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury, requiring him to miss at least the first four games of the season. He was activated on November 8, 2025, returning to the active roster in time for the back half of the schedule.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Harris’s value lies in his consistency, technique, and ability to deliver accurate snaps on field goals, extra points, and punts. His strength and leverage allow him to handle the physical demands of a specialist role, while his experience enables him to thrive in high-pressure moments. Coaches have repeatedly relied on his precision across more than a decade of professional play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harris’s career highlights include a BCS national championship with Auburn in 2010, a Super Bowl LI appearance with the Falcons in 2016, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. His second-team All-Pro honor in 2021 capped a long run of consistent play in Atlanta. The 2025 injured reserve stint and subsequent return marked one of the more challenging stretches of his Chargers tenure.
Josh Harris Career Achievements
Across his professional career, Josh Harris has earned recognition as one of the league’s dependable long snappers. He won a BCS national championship with Auburn in 2010, reached Super Bowl LI with the Falcons in 2016, and was selected to the Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro in 2021. He has handled long-snapping duties for the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers since 2012.
NFL Highlights
Harris made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2012 season with the Atlanta Falcons in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He went on to play multiple seasons in Atlanta before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2022. His 2021 season stood out as his most decorated, earning him a Pro Bowl invitation and All-Pro recognition.
Other Performances
Before the NFL, Harris played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was part of the 2010 BCS national championship team. At Carrollton High School, he competed in football, wrestling, and baseball, building the multi-sport background that supported his later specialization.
Josh Harris Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Josh Harris was born in Fulda, Germany, and later relocated to Carrollton, Georgia, where he attended Carrollton High School. He is an American professional football player with German roots. Further details about his parents and siblings are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with a setback for Josh Harris, who was placed on injured reserve by the Los Angeles Chargers on August 26 due to an undisclosed injury. The designation required him to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. He remained on injured reserve through the early portion of the schedule while continuing his recovery.
Harris was activated on November 8, 2025, returning to the active roster in time for the second half of the season. His return provided the Chargers’ special teams unit with a familiar and experienced presence at long snapper. The Chargers hoped his veteran reliability would help stabilize the kicking game down the stretch.
Looking ahead, Harris remains under contract with the Chargers and is positioned to continue handling long-snapping duties as long as his health holds. His 2025 campaign illustrates the resilience of a long-tenured specialist who has navigated injuries and roster changes throughout his career. As the season progresses, his experience and consistency remain valuable assets for the Los Angeles special teams unit.