# Clay Harbor
**Clay Harbor** (Clayton Lee Harbor, born 1987) is a former [American football](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-football) tight end who played seven seasons in the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league) for the [Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.edgepedia.org/philadelphia-eagles), Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions, and later became a reality television contestant and sports media personality.[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarbCl00.htm) • [2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987, Dwight, Illinois; high school: Dwight Township High School[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarbCl00.htm) |
| College | Missouri State, 2005-09 (redshirted 2005); moved from wide receiver to tight end[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) • [3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) |
| Draft | Philadelphia Eagles, 4th round (125th overall), 2010 NFL Draft[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarbCl00.htm) |
| NFL career | 7 seasons, 98 games (38 starts), 114 receptions, 1,170 yards, 8 touchdowns[4](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career) • [2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) |
| College records | Missouri State tight end records of 150 receptions and 33 consecutive games with a reception; career receiving record holder[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) |
| Honors | Three-time First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference; three-time AP All-America and Walter Camp All-American in the FCS; Missouri Sports Hall of Fame class of 2023[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) |
| After football | Contestant on The Bachelorette (2018) and Bachelor in Paradise (2019); sports media work in Chicago; MBA candidate at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) |
## College career at Missouri State
Harbor came from Dwight, a small town in Illinois, and was not recruited by major Division I programs, drawing interest instead from a couple of [Mid-American Conference](https://www.edgepedia.org/mid-american-conference) schools and Football Championship Subdivision programs.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) He chose Missouri State, where his brother had enrolled a year earlier, and the two wanted to play college sports together.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/)
He redshirted in 2005 and played sparingly as a redshirt freshman, then was moved from wide receiver to tight end and produced in the passing game as a sophomore and junior.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) • [3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) Assistant coaches Sean Coughlin and Bob Montgomery then developed his blocking so he could become an all-around tight end.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) He led the team in receiving three consecutive years, set the school tight end records for pass receptions (150) and consecutive games with a reception (33), and became the Bears' career pass receiving record holder with 1,906 yards from 2006 to 2009.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) • [7](https://soonersports.com/documents/download/2020/9/8/Missouri_State_Notes.pdf) He was a three-time First Team Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, one of only six Missouri State players to achieve that, and earned Associated Press All-America honors three times plus Walter Camp All-American recognition in the FCS.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/)
At his Missouri State pro day he ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, which he credited with showing scouts he could stretch the seam of a defense.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/)
## NFL career
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Harbor in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 125th overall pick and the 27th selection of that round.[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarbCl00.htm) • [8](https://missouristatebears.com/news/2010/4/24/msu_s_harbor_drafted_by_philadelphia_eagles_in_fourth_round) He signed with the Eagles on June 15, 2010 and made the team as the backup tight end behind veteran [Brent Celek](https://www.edgepedia.org/brent-celek), who mentored him.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) As a rookie he played nine games with six starts, catching nine passes for 72 yards and one touchdown, a 3-yard score from [Michael Vick](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-vick) in a Tuesday night game against Minnesota.[4](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) The Eagles won the [NFC East](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfc-east) that season, clinched when DeSean Jackson's 65-yard walk-off punt return touchdown, known as the Miracle at the New Meadowlands, beat the Giants 38-31 in Week 15.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) Harbor's other favorite Eagles memory was a game-winning 4-yard touchdown catch from Vick in the fourth quarter of the 2012 season opener at Cleveland.[6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor)
Over three seasons in Philadelphia he appeared in 29 games with 18 starts, catching 64 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns.[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star) He was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2012, released at the end of the 2013 training camp on August 31, 2013, and assigned to the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.edgepedia.org/jacksonville-jaguars) on waivers on September 1, 2013.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html)
**Jacksonville years.** Harbor later said he played his best football in Jacksonville.[6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) In three seasons with the Jaguars he caught 64 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns across 44 games, with his most productive year in 2013 (24 receptions, 292 yards, 2 touchdowns in 16 games) and his longest reception, 59 yards, in 2014.[4](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career) He became an unrestricted free agent on March 9, 2016.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html)
**Final seasons.** Harbor signed with the [New England Patriots](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-england-patriots) on April 4, 2016, played three games, and was released on October 3, 2016; he signed with the [Detroit Lions](https://www.edgepedia.org/detroit-lions) the next day and appeared in 12 games with 3 receptions for 19 yards.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) • [4](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career) He signed with the [New Orleans Saints](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-orleans-saints) on May 15, 2017 but was placed on injured reserve on August 28, 2017, ending his playing career.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) He signed with the XFL in 2019, but that league folded before he could play.[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star)
His career totals were 98 games, 114 receptions on 166 targets (a 68.7 percent catch rate), 1,170 yards, and 8 touchdowns.[4](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career) • [2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html) He has said the career was cut somewhat short by injuries; he underwent eight surgeries in his life, six of them during his NFL years.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor)
## Reality television
Harbor was a contestant on the 14th season of ABC's The Bachelorette, starring [Becca Kufrin](https://www.edgepedia.org/becca-kufrin), in 2018. He left the show after injuring his wrist while playing tackle football with the other contestants, an injury that required surgery.[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star) • [6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) He then appeared on the sixth season of Bachelor in Paradise in 2019.[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star) In May 2020 he went on a virtual date with Fernanda Flores in an episode of the reality series 90 Day Fiancé.[5](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star)
## Post-playing career
Based in Chicago, Harbor has worked in sports media with NBC Sports Chicago, Stadium TV, 670 The Score, and Big Brand, and does color commentary for [Missouri Valley Football Conference](https://www.edgepedia.org/missouri-valley-football-conference) games on the Marquee Sports Network.[6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) He also gives speaking engagements about his path from an underprivileged background, including a period living in a trailer with 10 family members, to the NFL.[6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) He is pursuing an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at [Indiana University](https://www.edgepedia.org/indiana-university) on an NFLPA scholarship; he was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and has described finishing the degree as an achievement he ranks alongside being drafted.[6](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor) The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted him with the class of 2023.[3](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/)
## References
1. [Clay Harbor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College, Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarbCl00.htm)
2. [Clay Harbor Pro Football Record, Pro Football Archives](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/harb00700.html)
3. [Clay Harbor, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame](https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/clay-harbor/)
4. [Clay Harbor Career Stats, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/clay-harbor/stats/career)
5. [Clay Harbor is Trying to Become Reality TV Star, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/clay-harbor-is-trying-to-become-reality-tv-star)
6. [Where Are They Now? TE Clay Harbor, PhiladelphiaEagles.com](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-clay-harbor)
7. [Missouri State Game Notes, soonersports.com](https://soonersports.com/documents/download/2020/9/8/Missouri_State_Notes.pdf)
8. [MSU's Harbor Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles in Fourth Round, Missouri State Athletics](https://missouristatebears.com/news/2010/4/24/msu_s_harbor_drafted_by_philadelphia_eagles_in_fourth_round)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Tight ends › Former NFL tight ends*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license