Demetrius Harris Biography

Demetrius Harris (born July 29, 1991) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee , which does not have a college football program Kansas City Chiefs signed as an undrafted free agent 

college career

After a distinguished high school career at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas , where he earned All-State in both football and basketball , Harris originally signed with Arkansas State to play football, but after failing to qualify academically , he decided to switch to basketball instead . Attending Mineral Area College , Harris played basketball for two seasons before transferring to Milwaukee for his final two qualified seasons.

After playing off the bench in his junior year, Harris was a starter in his senior year, starting in 28 of 32 games. Though the Panthers only had a low 8-24 record, Harris finished in field goal shooting (46.9%). 9th in the Horizon League and led the Panthers in rebounds. After the basketball season ended, although he had not played organized football since high school, NFL scouts expressed an interest in Harris playing football again , and cited his height (6’7″, 230 lb.) as ideal for the tight finishing position. Teams that showed interest in Harris included the Kansas City Chiefs , Baltimore Ravens , and Dallas Cowboys. To prove his Boy Scout skills, he coached with the Milwaukee Panthers football team , also known as the MPFC.

professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Seasons 2013-2015

Harris was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs after being undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft .

After spending his 2013 season on the Chiefs practice team, Harris made the official roster in 2014, though his rookie season was cut short by a broken foot and his season ended after eight games.

During the 2015 season, Harris caught seven passes for 74 yards as a backup tight end used primarily for blocking. Harris caught his first NFL touchdown pass, a 15-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith , in the last game of the regular season against the Oakland Raiders . On January 8, 2016, Harris signed a three-year, $6.3 million contract extension.

2016 season

In the 2016 season, on Christmas Day , against the Denver Broncos , Harris caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dontari Poe in the fourth quarter , becoming the greatest player for a touchdown in NFL history. He appeared in all 16 games, of which 11 started in the 2017 season. He had a total of 17 receptions for 123 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

2017 season

In the 2017 season’s opening 42-27 win over the New England Patriots , Harris caught the first touchdown of the NFL season with a seven-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith in the first quarter. He appeared in all 16 games during the 2017 season, of which he started seven. He had a total of 18 receptions for 224 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

2018 season

On May 22, 2018, Harris was suspended for the first game of the 2018 season after pleading guilty to a marijuana possession offense in March 2017. During the 2018 season, he appeared in 15 games, of which he started three. He finished with 12 receptions for 164 receiving yards and three receiving touches.

Cleveland Browns

On March 14, 2019, Harris signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Cleveland Browns . He appeared in 15 games, of which he started six. He finished with 15 receptions for 149 receiving yards and three receiving touches.

Harris was released by the Browns on February 17, 2020.

Chicago Bears

On February 19, 2020, Harris was signed by the Chicago Bears .

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