Erik Harris

Erik Harris (born April 2, 1990) is an American footballstrong safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California University of Pennsylvania. He has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the New Orleans Saints. Harris is known for playing many positions, including free and strong safety, halfback (which has an entirely different meaning than the American football halfback), cornerback, weakside linebacker and strong-side linebacker.

Harris was born in Los Angeles, California. When Harris was two months old, his parents separated and he moved to Baltimore with his mother. Harris and his mother moved to Pennsylvania when he was in the fifth grade. He attended New Oxford High School in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.

He attended California University of Pennsylvania, playing safety for the Division II California Vulcans football team. In four college seasons, he made 231 tackles on defense. He was a First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (All-PSAC) selection in 2010. He was a Second Team All-PSAC selection in 2011.

Harris was rated the 90th best strong safety in the 2012 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.Harris was not drafted.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Harris was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 11, 2013. He played in 45 games for Hamilton, making 79 defensive tackles and 27 special teams tackles. He caught a touchdown on offense and recorded three interceptions.

New Orleans Saints

2016 season

On February 2, 2016, the New Orleans Saints signed Harris to a reserve/future contract after a recommendation by Delvin Breaux, who had played with him while on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Harris agreed to a three-year, $1.62 million contract. Joel Erickson of The Advocate noted that Harris was a CFL linebacker but that he had the ability to play as an NFL defensive back. After former Saints safety Rafael Bush signed with the Detroit Lions, New Orleans announced that Harris would play safety. On October 10, 2016, Harris sustained a torn ACL during practice and was placed on the injured reserve list October 13, 2016. He finished his rookie campaign with one solo tackle in four games.

2017 season

Throughout training camp, Harris competed to be the starting free safety against Vonn Bell and Rafael Bush after the role was left vacant by the departure of Jairus Byrd. On September 2, 2017, the New Orleans Saints waived Harris.

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

On September 5, 2017, the Oakland Raiders signed Harris to a one-year, $630,000 contract. Harris was initially signed to provide depth after rookie Obi Melifonwu was placed on injured-reserve. Head coach Jack Del Rio named Harris the primary backup free safety, behind Karl Joseph, to start the 2017 regular season. Harris appeared in 15 games in 2017, primarily on special teams, and finished the season with five combined tackles (four solo). On December 31, 2017, the Oakland Raiders fired head coach Jack Del Rio after they finished the season with a 6-10 record.

2018 season

Harris entered training camp as a backup safety and competed to be a primary backup against Obi Melifonwu, Marcus Gilchrist, Shalom Luani, Dallin Leavitt and Tevin Mitchel. Head coach Jon Gruden names Harris the primary backup strong safety, behind Karl Joseph, to begin the 2018 NFL season. On October 28, 2018, Harris earned his first career start and recorded a season-high six solo tackles during a 42-28 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (four solo) as the Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. On December 16, 2018, Harris recorded three solo tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career interception during a 30-16 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. Harris made his first career interception off a pass by Bengals’ quarterback Jeff Driskel, that was originally intended for John Ross. Harris made 49 combined tackles (36 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and four starts.

2019 season

On March 8, 2019, the Oakland Raiders signed Harris to a two-year, $5 million contract that includes $1.07 million guaranteed. Harris entered training camp slated as a backup safety after the Raiders drafted Johnathan Abram in the first round. Head coach Jon Gruden retained Harris as the primary backup strong safety, behind Karl Joseph, to start the season.

Harris became the starting free safety in Week 2 after Johnathan Abram was placed on injured-reserve after tearing his rotator cuff during the Raiders’ season-opening 24–16 victory against the Denver Broncos. In Week 2, Harris earned his first career start and recorded two solo tackles during a 28–10 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. On September 29, 2019, Harris made seven combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and returned his first career interception for a touchdown during a 31–24 win at the Indianapolis Colts. Harris intercepted a pass attempt by Jacoby Brissett, that was intended for wide receiver Zach Pascal, and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.On November 7, 2019, Harris made one tackle and intercepted two passes by Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers during a 26–24 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Harris intercepted a pass that was intended for tight end Hunter Henry for a 56-yard touchdown during the first quarter. He finished the 2019 NFL season with 68 combined tackles (59 solo), eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and two touchdowns in 16 games and 14 starts.

Harris is married to Theresa Harris, whom he met in New Oxford High School. He has 4 children: Ellis, Esme, and twin sons, Isaiah and Elijah, who were born in the summer of 2013.