Byron Cowart Bio
Byron Cowart is an American professional football defensive end who has played in the National Football League since 2019. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Entering college, Cowart was regarded as the number one overall high school recruit by ESPN and Rivals.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds, Cowart has spent his professional career moving between several organizations as a rotational defensive lineman. He is currently listed as a member of the New York Jets, continuing his journeyman path through the league.
Early Life and Background
Byron Cowart was born on May 20, 1996, in Seffner, Florida, a small community in the Tampa Bay area. He grew up in a region with a deep football culture, where high school programs regularly produce college and NFL talent. From an early age, Cowart showed the size and athleticism that would later define his professional profile as a defensive end.
He attended Armwood High School in Seffner, where he became one of the most heavily recruited defensive prospects in the country. His combination of strength, quickness, and motor helped him dominate at the prep level and drew national attention. By the end of his high school career, he had earned the distinction of being the number one overall recruit in his class.
Path to American Football
Cowart committed to Auburn University in 2015, arriving as one of the most celebrated defensive signees in program history. Expectations were high, but he struggled to find consistent playing time during his first two seasons with the Tigers. The transition from high school stardom to the speed and complexity of the Southeastern Conference proved challenging.
After appearing in Auburn’s first two games of the 2017 season, Cowart chose to leave the program and returned closer to home. He enrolled at Hillsborough Community College near his Florida residence to reset his career and continue developing. In December 2017, he announced his decision to transfer to the University of Maryland for the 2018 season, seeking a fresh start at a program where he could grow as a player.
Byron Cowart Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Cowart was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round, 159th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He appeared in five games as a rookie, working primarily as a rotational defensive end while learning the Patriots’ complex defensive system. His first seasons offered limited but valuable exposure to professional football.
In 2020, Cowart was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in October before being activated later that month. During a Week 14 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded his first career sack on quarterback Jared Goff in a 24–3 loss. He began the 2021 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, and on July 22, 2022, the Patriots waived him, ending his time in New England.
Journeyman Years (2022–2024)
After his release from New England, Cowart was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts on July 23, 2022. The move offered a brief opportunity, though his stay with Indianapolis proved short. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 24, 2023, but was released on May 10, 2023, before the start of the regular season.
Cowart quickly bounced to the Houston Texans, signing on May 18, 2023, only to be released at the end of August. He joined the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on September 19, 2023, and remained there for the rest of the campaign. When the Dolphins did not offer him a reserve or future contract, Cowart became a free agent. On March 18, 2024, he signed with the Chicago Bears, was released at the end of August, returned on the practice squad, and was promoted back to the active roster on October 5.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Cowart signed with the New York Jets, beginning a new chapter with the AFC East franchise. His tenure with the Jets was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on August 26, 2025. Cowart was released by the Jets on December 2, 2025, concluding his time with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cowart plays with the physical profile of a prototypical 3-4 defensive end, using his size, length, and power to hold the point of attack against the run. He has shown flashes of pass-rush ability, including his first career sack against the Rams, and is valued for his versatility along the defensive line. His journeyman path has required adaptability across multiple defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cowart’s most notable milestone remains his first career sack on Jared Goff during the 2020 Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams. His journey from the number one high school recruit in the country to a fifth-round draft pick to a well-traveled NFL veteran has been the defining storyline of his football life.
Byron Cowart Career Wins
Byron Cowart’s professional career has been defined more by perseverance and roster survival than by major statistical achievements. He has appeared in games for the New England Patriots, spent time on practice squads with several organizations, and recorded his first career sack in 2020.
NFL Highlights
Cowart’s primary NFL highlight came in Week 14 of the 2020 season when he brought down Jared Goff for his first career sack. Beyond that moment, his career has been marked by a string of signings, releases, and practice squad moves across the league, reflecting the volatile nature of depth players in the modern NFL.
Byron Cowart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Byron Cowart’s immediate family are limited. He grew up in Seffner, Florida, and his developmental path was shaped largely by the strong football community of the Tampa Bay area rather than a documented family athletic lineage.
Personal Life
There is limited publicly verified information about Byron Cowart’s personal relationships, marital status, or children. He has focused the public narrative of his life on his football career, from his record-setting recruitment through his ongoing professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another transitional year for Byron Cowart. After signing with the New York Jets in March, he was placed on injured reserve in late August, sidelining him at the start of the regular season. His status on injured reserve limited his early contributions to the Jets’ defensive line.
When healthy, Cowart offered the Jets veteran depth and experience at defensive end, having navigated the league across multiple organizations since 2019. The Jets released him on December 2, 2025, ending his 2025 campaign. The season underscored the challenge of securing a long-term role in the NFL after years of movement between rosters and practice squads.