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 football running back currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft after a successful college football career at the University of Alabama. Known for his versatility as a runner and receiver, Harris is a key offensive player in the NFL. He signed with the Chargers in the 2024 season.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1972: First Steelers' rookie since Franco Harris to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing on his first five games

In Week 5 of the 2021 season against the Denver Broncos, Najee Harris recorded his first game rushing over 100 yards. He became the first Steelers' rookie since Franco Harris in 1972 to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing on his first five games.

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

In Week 3 of the 2021 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Najee Harris tied the NFL record for most catches in a game for a rookie running back, and had the second-highest amount of targets for a running back since 1992 (when the data was first tracked).

2014: Sophomore year at Antioch High School

In 2014, during his sophomore year at Antioch High School, Najee Harris rushed for 2,263 yards and scored 23 touchdowns.

2015: Committed to Alabama Crimson Tide

In 2015, Najee Harris committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, choosing them over other top football programs.

2017: Started playing for Alabama

In 2017, Najee Harris began playing football for the University of Alabama.

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: Starting running back for Alabama Crimson Tide

In 2019, Najee Harris became the starting running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

2020: Announced Return to Alabama

In 2020, Najee Harris announced that he would return to Alabama for his senior year.

2020: Finished playing for Alabama

In 2020, Najee Harris concluded his football career at the University of Alabama.

2020: Starting running back during COVID-19 shortened season

In 2020, Najee Harris was the starting running back for Alabama during the COVID-19 shortened season. He finished his career as the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843), total scrimmage yards (4,624) and touchdowns (57) for the Crimson Tide. He was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker Award.

May 25, 2021: Signed rookie contract with the 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, 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.

2021: Hosted a party for kids at a homeless shelter during the NFL draft

In 2021, on the day of the NFL draft, Najee Harris hosted a party for the kids served at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, the homeless shelter he spent his childhood at, declining the invitation to the event in Cleveland, Ohio.

2022: 1,000 yard season

Najee Harris finished the 2022 season with over 1,000 rushing yards, making him the first Steelers player to rush for 1,000 yards in their first two seasons.

2023: Third-straight 1,000-yard season

In the 2023 season, Najee Harris rushed for 1,035 yards, marking his third-straight 1,000-yard season, making him the only running back in franchise history to achieve this.