Will Harris Bio
William Jamahl Harris, known professionally as Will Harris, is an American professional football safety for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 19, 1995, in Suwanee, Georgia, he rose from a Boston College standout to a third-round NFL draft pick and has since built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of playing safety, nickelback, and cornerback. Across his professional career, Harris has suited up for the Detroit Lions, the New Orleans Saints, and the Washington Commanders, contributing on special teams and in sub-package defensive roles.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 205 pounds, Harris combines the size to play in the box with the footwork required for coverage duties. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Washington in March 2025, signaling the Commanders’ confidence in his experience and positional flexibility as they continue to rebuild their defense.
Early Life and Background
William Jamahl Harris was born on December 19, 1995, in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb located northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Growing up in a region known for producing NFL-caliber athletes, Harris developed an early passion for football and quickly gravitated toward the defensive side of the ball, where his physicality and football instincts stood out.
Harris attended Choate Rosemary Hall, a prestigious preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut, where he refined his skills against high-level competition. His time at Choate helped him earn recognition as a multi-position defensive prospect, leading to scholarship offers from several college programs. The combination of his prep school experience and his Georgia roots positioned him well for the next stage of his football career.
Path to American Football
Harris committed to Boston College, where he suited up for the Eagles as a defensive back in the Atlantic Coast Conference. At Chestnut Hill, he developed under the guidance of the Boston College coaching staff and was reunited professionally with one of those mentors, Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, who had previously served as a defensive line coach for the Eagles.
Leading up to the 2019 NFL draft, Harris earned notable recognition from several outlets. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 10th best safety prospect in the draft, while Sports Illustrated listed him as the 28th best defensive back and 141st overall prospect. Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller had him rated as the 13th best safety. NFL draft analysts and scouts projected him anywhere from the third to the sixth round, reflecting his range of outcomes as a prospect.
Will Harris Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Detroit Lions selected Harris in the third round, 81st overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. Detroit executed a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to move up and secure him, surrendering their 88th and 204th picks. On June 4, 2019, the Lions signed Harris to a four-year, $3.72 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $952,244. He was the seventh safety drafted that year.
Harris made his professional regular-season debut on September 8, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals and finished his rookie campaign with 43 combined tackles (30 solo), three pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and six starts. His first career start came on November 3, 2019, after Tracy Walker III went down with a knee injury, and he recorded his first career sack on Aaron Rodgers in Week 17. In 2020, Harris appeared in 16 games with five starts, totaling 35 combined tackles (26 solo) and one pass deflection while splitting snaps alongside Walker.
Detroit Lions Tenure (2019–2023)
Harris entered the 2021 season as a starting safety and started all 17 games for the first time in his career, posting 93 combined tackles (52 solo), four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He set a season-high with eight solo tackles against the Green Bay Packers on January 9, 2022, and split time between safety, nickel, and outside cornerback due to injuries and COVID-19 absences within the secondary.
On March 14, 2023, the Lions signed Harris to a fully-guaranteed one-year, $2.58 million contract. Although he appeared in all 17 games that season, he was limited to two starts and finished with 18 combined tackles (12 solo), three pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn attempted to move Harris to cornerback, primarily focusing on the slot, as Detroit invested heavily at the safety position through the draft and free agency.
New Orleans Saints (2024)
On May 1, 2024, the New Orleans Saints signed Harris to a one-year, $1.29 million contract that included $491,500 guaranteed. He competed for a starting safety role during training camp and ultimately opened the season as the starting strong safety alongside Tyrann Mathieu.
Harris started the 2024 season opener against the Carolina Panthers and recorded his only interception of the year on the first offensive play of the season. He missed four consecutive games with a hamstring injury but returned to set a season-high with eight solo tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. Harris finished 2024 with 74 combined tackles (54 solo), five passes defensed, and one interception in 13 games and 13 starts, earning an overall grade of 61.5 from Pro Football Focus.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, the Washington Commanders signed Harris to a two-year, $8 million contract that includes $3.39 million guaranteed upon signing and a $2 million signing bonus. The deal runs through the 2026 season and signals Washington’s intent to use his versatility in the secondary.
Harris suffered a fractured fibula in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 22. The Commanders activated him on November 29, ahead of the team’s Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos, allowing him to rejoin the rotation late in the regular season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Harris’s career highlights, his first career sack came against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the 2019 regular-season finale. He also recorded his first career interception in 2022 on a pass from Carson Wentz during a victory over the Washington Commanders. In 2021, he started all 17 games for the only time in his career, and his 2024 strong safety campaign with the New Orleans Saints marked his longest sustained starting stretch since that season.
Will Harris Career Wins
While defensive backs are not typically credited with traditional wins on their personal ledgers, Harris has been part of several notable team victories throughout his NFL career. His transition from depth piece to multi-year starter reflects steady development and durability across multiple organizations.
Will Harris Family
Personal Life
William Jamahl Harris maintains an active presence on social media under the handle @coachwillharris on X (formerly Twitter) and @jamahl on Instagram. Details about his immediate family and marital status are not publicly confirmed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Harris signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2025 as a versatile veteran addition to a retooling secondary. His two-year contract gave Washington a flexible chess piece capable of lining up at safety, nickel, or dime. The early portion of his Commanders tenure was interrupted when he suffered a fractured fibula in Week 3, sending him to injured reserve in late September.
The Commanders activated Harris on November 29 ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos, allowing him to finish the regular season on the field. His return provided depth for Washington down the stretch as the team navigated its playoff push.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025 campaign, Harris is expected to contribute in sub-package defensive roles while continuing to mentor younger defensive backs in the room. His contract runs through the 2026 season, giving him a platform to reclaim a starting role once he is fully recovered from his leg injury.