Thomas Harper

Thomas Westley Harper (born November 5, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life Harper was born on November 5, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up playing basketball before trying out for the Karns High School football team as a sophomore. With the Karns football team, he became a top wide receiver and defensive back.

Harper totaled 1,086 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, being named all-state, and then had 1,279 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, also ending his high school career with 155 tackles, 16 passes defended and three interceptions.

College career Harper appeared in 12 games as a true freshman in 2019, mainly on special teams, recording 13 tackles. He won a starting role in 2022. That year, he made 30 tackles and 1.5 TFLs while appearing in seven games. With Notre Dame, he appeared in 11 games and posted 39 tackles, six TFLs, three passes defended and two sacks. He opted out of the team's 2023 Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State due to injury.

Professional career

Los Angeles Chargers After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Harper signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 27, as part of the team's roster cuts.

Las Vegas Raiders On August 28, 2024, Harper was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was waived on August 28, 2025.

Detroit Lions On August 29, 2025, Harper was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.

Career statistics Legend Bold Career high NFL Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Total Solo Ast Sck TFL Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD 2024 LV 15 5 26 13 13 0.5 0 0 2 1 14 14.0 14 0 0 1 0 2025 DET 12 9 37 26 11 0.0 1 0 5 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0Career 27 14 63 39 24 0.5 1 0 7 2 14 7.0 14 0 1 1 0

College Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Total Solo Ast Sack PD Int Yds TD FF FR TD 2019 Oklahoma State 12 0 13 9 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 Oklahoma State 11 1 30 26 4 0.0 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 2021 Oklahoma State 12 0 20 12 8 0.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2022 Oklahoma State 7 7 30 17 13 0.0 2 1 11 0 0 0 0 2023 Notre Dame 11 10 39 25 14 2.0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0Career 53 18 132 89 43 2.0 9 2 11 0 2 1 0

Personal life Harper was born to his parents Kevin and Alacia. He is the younger brother of linebacker Devin Harper.