Divaad Wilson Bio
Divaad Wilson, nicknamed “Newt,” is an American professional football cornerback. Born on January 26, 2000, in Miami, Florida, he is listed at 6 feet 0 inches tall and approximately 194 pounds. Wilson played college football for the UCF Knights and the Georgia Bulldogs before entering the National Football League (NFL).
He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since spent time with multiple organizations. Over the course of his young professional career, Wilson has moved between practice squad and active roster roles, building experience across the league.
Early Life and Background
Divaad Wilson was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where he developed an early interest in athletics. He attended Miami Northwestern High School, a program with a strong reputation for producing top football talent. While at the school, Wilson competed in both football and track and field, a combination that helped him develop the speed and agility valued in defensive backs.
Coming out of high school, Wilson was recognized as a four-star prospect by 247Sports. He was ranked as the number 26 defensive back nationally, the number 242 overall prospect nationally, and the number 46 prospect in the state of Florida. ESPN also rated him as a four-star recruit, placing him at number 205 nationally and the number 26 cornerback in the country.
His performance at Miami Northwestern drew attention from several college programs, setting the stage for his transition to the next level.
Path to American Football
Wilson began his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he played for the UCF Knights. During his early seasons with the program, he gained valuable experience on special teams and defense. In his sophomore year, he posted 11 total tackles, nine solo tackles, and one pass deflection, showing his development as a coverage defender.
Following his time at UCF, Wilson transferred to the University of Georgia, where he played for the Georgia Bulldogs. As a redshirt freshman, he saw action in 13 games and earned starts against Notre Dame and Kentucky, gaining exposure to high-level competition within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Wilson’s progression through major college programs positioned him for an opportunity in professional football, even though he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Divaad Wilson Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Divaad Wilson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 1, 2023. His initial stint with the team lasted through the summer, as he was released on August 29, 2023, ahead of the regular season.
Shortly after his release, Wilson signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals on September 4, 2023, beginning a stretch of work between practice squad elevations and active roster moves. On January 5, 2024, he was signed to the Cardinals’ active roster, marking a step forward in his professional trajectory.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023-2024)
Wilson was elevated to the active roster for the Los Angeles Rams game in Week 12 on November 26, 2023, making his official NFL debut. In that appearance, he recorded one solo tackle, providing a first look at his play at the professional level.
His time with Arizona continued into 2024, though the team waived him on August 27, 2024, before re-signing him to the practice squad. This period offered Wilson a chance to refine his skills while staying within the Cardinals’ system.
New York Giants Era (2024)
On December 11, 2024, Wilson was signed by the New York Giants off the Cardinals’ practice squad, giving him a new opportunity late in the season. The move allowed him to join an NFC East organization looking to add depth in the secondary.
Detroit Lions Era (2025)
Wilson signed with the Detroit Lions on June 2, 2025, joining another NFC organization. Two days later, on June 4, he was waived with an injury designation. He was then reverted to injured reserve on June 5 after clearing waivers, before being waived with an injury settlement on July 16, 2025.
Divaad Wilson Career Wins
Divaad Wilson’s professional career is still developing, and he has not yet recorded a major win statistic at the NFL level. His on-field resume includes tackles and coverage responsibilities from his early appearances, with his progress measured more in playing opportunities than in headline victories.
College Highlights
At UCF, Wilson earned recognition as a second-team All-AAC (American Athletic Conference) selection in 2021. He also appeared on the 2022 watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player, and was named a second-team All-AAC pick by Pro Football Network and a third-team All-AAC selection by Phil Steele.
Other Performances
Earlier at UCF, Wilson was recognized as a third-team All-AAC honoree by Pro Football Focus after leading the team in interceptions during his junior season. He finished that year with 72 total tackles and 41 solo tackles, ranking fourth on the team.
Divaad Wilson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wilson is from Miami, Florida, where he was raised and developed into a top-rated high school football prospect. He attended Miami Northwestern High School, a program with a strong track record in producing collegiate and professional athletes.
Personal Life
Public information about Wilson’s personal relationships, including any spouse or children, is not widely documented. He is known to be active on social media, where he shares updates related to his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Divaad Wilson’s 2025 season began with a new opportunity, as he signed with the Detroit Lions on June 2, 2025. The move signaled continued interest from NFL teams in his potential as a cornerback, even as he navigated the uncertainty of practice squad and active roster movement throughout his career.
However, Wilson’s time with Detroit was disrupted by an injury. He was waived with an injury designation on June 4, reverted to injured reserve on June 5, and ultimately waived with an injury settlement on July 16, 2025. The sequence of events effectively sidelined his on-field contributions for the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Wilson remains an experienced defensive back with SEC and AAC pedigree, as well as practice squad time with multiple organizations. His path to a stable NFL role will likely depend on his recovery and the opportunities that arise in future league cycles.