Report: Thomas Harper agrees to UDFA deal with Los Angeles Chargers

Former Notre Dame and Oklahoma State defensive back Thomas Harper has found an NFL home, signing on with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson had the news Sunday evening following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, tweeting out: “Chargers sign Notre Dame defensive back Thomas Harper, per a league source.”

He began his college career at Oklahoma State and played four whole seasons under Mike Gundy with the Cowboys. Harper recorded 13 tackles as a freshman, 30 as a sophomore, 20 as a junior and 30 as a true senior. He also nabbed two picks.

Harper then spent just one season with the Fighting Irish after deciding to transfer from OSU, primarily playing as the defense’s nickel/slot cornerback. In 11 games, he collected 39 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

Pro Football Focus graded Harper as the team’s top tackler and third-best run defender. They also awarded him 17 run stops. In 246 pass coverage snaps, he surrendered 26 catches for 236 yards and 1 touchdown. 

A product of Knoxville (Tenn.) Karns, Harper’s only Power Five offer was from Oklahoma State. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services, Harper was the No. 1,272 overall player, No. 26 “athlete” nationally and No. 38 prospect in Tennessee in the 2019 recruiting cycle. 

What NFL analysts said about Thomas Harper

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projected Haper as a seventh-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent ahead of the draft. His 5.81 grade says the 5-10⅝, 295-pounder should become an average backup or special-teamer.

Here was his breakdown of the veteran’s game:

“He’s a nickel cornerback with the traits and toughness for consideration as a fill-in safety if needed. Harper’s only season as a starter came in his single year at Notre Dame, but he looked capable in his role. He’s tenacious in coverage and as a run defender. He has above-average explosiveness and the ability to make up ground when needed. 

“He stays hyper-focused on his man in coverage and lacks ideal eye balance and length to make plays on the football. Harper needs work in both man and zone coverages, but he has the traits, toughness and upside to have a chance once he gets into a camp.” 

Sounds like the Chargers got a good one in the UDFA market.