Career Timeline of Najee Harris: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Najee Harris built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Najee Harris is an American professional football running back, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft after a successful college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He briefly played for the Los Angeles Chargers but is primarily known for his time with Alabama and the Steelers.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1972: Steelers' rookie to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing since 1972

Against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, Najee Harris recorded 122 yards on 23 carries and a rushing touchdown. It marked his first game rushing over 100 yards. He became the first Steelers' rookie to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing on his first five games, since Franco Harris in 1972.

1992: Second-highest amount of targets for a running back since 1992

Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, Najee Harris recorded 142 all purpose yards, including 14 catches in 19 targets. This tied the NFL record for most catches in a game for a rookie running back, and were the second-highest amount of targets for a running back since 1992.

2014: Sophomore year at Antioch High School

In 2014, as a sophomore at Antioch High School, Najee Harris rushed for 2,263 yards with 23 touchdowns.

April 2015: Verbally committed to Alabama

In April 2015, Najee Harris verbally committed to the University of Alabama.

January 2017: Official commitment to Alabama Crimson Tide

In January 2017, Najee Harris officially committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide after being persuaded by Tua Tagovailoa following the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

2017: Played for the University of Alabama

In 2017, Najee Harris began playing for the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.

January 2019: Signed with Beast Mode Marketing

In January 2019, Najee Harris signed with Beast Mode Marketing, the marketing agency of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.

2019: Rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 season

In the 2019 season, Najee Harris had 209 carries for 1,224 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 304 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

2020: Final season at Alabama

2020 was Najee Harris's final season playing for the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.

2020: Returned to Alabama for senior year

Despite speculation that he would declare for the 2020 NFL draft, Najee Harris announced that he would return to Alabama for his senior year.

2020: Starting running back for Alabama Crimson Tide

In 2020, Najee Harris was the starting running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In the regular season opener against the Missouri Tigers, Harris had 17 attempts for 98 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 38–19 victory.

May 25, 2021: Signed rookie contract with Pittsburgh Steelers

On May 25, 2021, Najee Harris signed his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, worth $13.1 million including a $6.9 million signing bonus over four years.

2021: Founded Da' Bigger Picture Foundation

In 2021, Najee Harris founded the nonprofit organization Da' Bigger Picture Foundation along with assistance from California governor Gavin Newsom, which provides assistance to families impacted by homelessness and hunger.

2021: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2021, Najee Harris was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

2021: Hosted party for kids at homeless shelter

On the day of the 2021 NFL draft, Najee Harris declined the invitation to the event in Cleveland, Ohio, opting instead to host a party for the kids served at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, the homeless shelter where he spent his childhood.

2022: Second season in NFL

In 2022, Najee Harris got off to a slow start. Through the first eight games of the season, he only managed to eclipse 50 rushing yards three times and scored three total touchdowns. It brought into question whether the Lisfranc sprain he suffered in training camp was affecting his production, although Harris claimed that was not the case. Following the team's bye week, he would go on to rush for more than 50 yards in seven of the last nine games and score seven total touchdowns. His best game of the season came in a Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Harris rushed for a season high 111 yards and caught the game winning touchdown from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett with less than a minute to play.

2022: Selected as an alternate for the 2022 Pro Bowl

Najee Harris finished his rookie season with impressive stats and was selected as an alternate for the 2022 Pro Bowl, replacing Bengals running back Joe Mixon. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and the NFL All-Rookie Team.

2022: 1,000 rushing yards in first two seasons

Najee Harris finished the 2022 season with 272 carries for 1,038 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and 41 receptions for 229 yards and three receiving touchdowns, making him the first Steelers player to rush for 1,000 yards in their first two seasons.

2023: Eclipsed 100 rushing yards in the season since Week 18 of the 2023 season

In Week 6, against the Las Vegas Raiders, Harris eclipsed 100 rushing yards in the season for the first time since Week 18 of the 2023 season with 106.

2023: 1,000-yard season for Steelers

In the 2023 season, Najee Harris rushed 255 times for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games and starts, making him the only running back in franchise history to start their career with three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.

January 15, 2024: AFC Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills

On January 15, 2024, Najee Harris made his second post-season appearance of his career in the AFC Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills. Harris had 12 carries for 37 yards and caught two passes on three targets for 15 yards in the 31–17 Steelers loss. The post-season loss brought Harris's post season statistics to an 0–2 record.