Ameer Speed Bio
Ameer Lashon Speed (born October 11, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 218 pounds, Speed built his path through major college football programs before joining the professional ranks in 2023. Known for his length and physicality on the outside, he has bounced between several NFL rosters while developing into a reliable depth piece at cornerback.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Speed emerged as a multi-year starter at the collegiate level and earned a national championship ring during the 2021 College Football Playoff. After entering the league as a sixth-round selection, he has continued to add experience with each new stop, most recently settling in with the Houston Texans. His career has been defined by perseverance, special-teams play, and steady progression at the cornerback position.
Early Life and Background
Ameer Lashon Speed was born on October 11, 1999, in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in his hometown and attended Sandalwood High School, where he developed the frame and cover skills that would later attract college recruiters. Jacksonville’s competitive high school football scene helped him sharpen the fundamentals needed for the next level.
Coming out of Sandalwood, Speed drew attention from several Power Five programs thanks to his combination of size, speed, and ball skills. His senior film showcased the length and physicality that scouts at the next level would later try to refine. By the time he finished high school, Speed had committed to continue his football career in the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Speed began his college career with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he played as a reserve defensive back while learning behind future NFL players. He appeared in multiple seasons for Georgia, contributing on special teams and earning rotational snaps at cornerback. That experience culminated in the 2021 College Football Playoff, where Georgia captured the national championship.
Looking for a larger role, Speed transferred to the Michigan State Spartans, where he became a more prominent member of the secondary. He logged significant playing time in the Big Ten and continued to grow as a press-man corner. His combined tape from Georgia and Michigan State was enough to earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, where he officially measured in at just over six feet three and 218 pounds. That blend of size, experience, and two major-conference backgrounds made him an attractive late-round prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ameer Speed Career
Early Career (2023)
Speed entered the NFL when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round as the 214th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed with the Patriots and competed for a spot on the cornerback depth chart during training camp and the preseason. Although he appeared in limited regular-season action, he was waived by New England on October 19, 2023.
Just one day after being let go by the Patriots, Speed was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on October 20, 2023. He joined a defensive backs room that needed depth and provided special-teams contributions late in his rookie season. That quick transition gave him a brief but important foothold in the league.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–2025)
Speed signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad on September 25, 2024, after being released by Indianapolis earlier in the year. He was promoted to the Bears’ active roster on November 6, 2024, where he contributed on special teams and as a backup cornerback. He finished the 2024 season in Chicago, gaining valuable regular-season experience at the professional level.
On April 8, 2025, Speed signed his exclusive rights free agent contract with the Bears to remain in Chicago for another season. His time with the team, however, was cut short when he was waived with an injury designation on August 11, 2025. Despite the setback, his two seasons in Chicago represented his most stable stretch in the NFL to that point.
Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans Era (2025)
Speed signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad on September 30, 2025, looking for a fresh opportunity. His stint in Cleveland proved short, as he was released on October 9, 2025, with an injury settlement. The brief stop still allowed him to remain inside an NFL building while he recovered.
On November 24, 2025, Speed signed with the Houston Texans practice squad, giving him another chance to compete. Less than two weeks later, on December 3, he was elevated to the active roster, where he continues to provide cornerback depth and special-teams play. The move to Houston marked his fifth NFL organization since being drafted, underscoring both the challenges and the persistence that have defined his professional journey.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Speed’s football career came in the 2021 College Football Playoff, when he was part of a Georgia Bulldogs team that won the national championship. That championship experience helped shape his preparation habits and confidence at the professional level. Being selected 214th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and surviving on practice squads across the league also stand as milestones of resilience for a late-round cornerback.
Ameer Speed Family
Personal Life
Outside of football, Ameer Lashon Speed keeps a relatively private personal life. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and remains connected to that community as the place where his athletic journey began. Public information about his close family and relationships is limited, and he has not publicly shared detailed family background.
2025 Season Performance
Speed’s 2025 campaign has been defined by movement between rosters as he continues to seek a stable home in the NFL. After signing an exclusive rights free agent deal with the Chicago Bears in April, he was waived with an injury designation in August, briefly landed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad in late September, and then found a fresh opportunity with the Houston Texans in late November. Each stop has given him a chance to prove himself on special teams and as a depth cornerback.
Once promoted to the Texans’ active roster on December 3, 2025, Speed joined a competitive secondary chasing playoff positioning in the AFC South. His length and physicality fit the prototype that Houston values on the outside, and his special-teams versatility makes him a useful late-season addition. Heading into the final stretch of the year, his primary focus is on staying healthy, contributing on multiple units, and solidifying a longer-term role within the organization.