Gervarrius Owens Bio
Gervarrius Owens, born October 14, 1999, is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). A versatile defensive back with a hard-hitting reputation, Owens has built his career through perseverance and steady improvement across multiple levels of competition. He has previously played for the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, and he briefly signed with the Minnesota Vikings before returning to a Bears practice squad role in 2025. Originally from the southern United States, Owens carved out his professional path after developing at the junior college level and starring at the University of Houston.
Early Life and Background
Gervarrius Owens was born on October 14, 1999, in Moore, Oklahoma, though he was raised across several southern communities during his early years. He initially grew up in Greenville, Mississippi, before his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and eventually to Moore, Oklahoma. The frequent moves helped him develop adaptability and toughness, traits that later shaped his approach on the football field.
Owens attended Southmoore High School in Moore, where he emerged as a promising defensive prospect. Rated a three-star recruit, he drew attention from several college programs and originally committed to play college football at Kansas State. Standing 6 feet tall and playing around 200 pounds, he possessed the size and instincts to project as a future defensive back at the next level.
Path to American Football
Owens enrolled at Kansas State during the summer of 2017, but did not ultimately report to the Wildcats. Before the season began, he transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College to restart his collegiate journey at the junior college level. At Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Owens quickly established himself as a playmaker in the secondary, recording 51 tackles with three interceptions as a freshman and earning recognition as one of the top junior college defensive backs in the country.
After his standout freshman campaign, Owens committed to transfer to Minnesota, but later had his National Letter of Intent released in order to join the Houston Cougars. The decision proved pivotal, as Owens became an immediate starter during his first season at Houston and continued to grow into one of the American Athletic Conference’s most reliable safeties. His development through junior college and into a Group of Five program prepared him for the leap to the NFL.
Gervarrius Owens Career
Early Career at Houston (2018–2022)
Gervarrius Owens became a starter during his first season with the Houston Cougars and quickly earned the trust of the Cougars coaching staff. He played multiple seasons as a starting safety, providing leadership in the secondary and contributing both in run support and pass coverage. During his junior season, Owens earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors after recording 52 tackles with two interceptions, establishing himself among the conference’s elite defensive backs.
As a senior, Owens was again recognized for his consistency and was named second-team All-AAC. His two seasons of all-conference recognition cemented his status as an NFL prospect entering the 2023 draft cycle.
New York Giants Era (2023–2024)
Owens was selected in the seventh round, 254th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The selection marked the realization of a long road that began at junior college and continued at Houston. Owens spent his rookie season working to carve out a role within the Giants’ defensive backfield and on special teams, gaining valuable NFL experience.
On August 28, 2024, Owens was waived by the Giants and re-signed to the practice squad. He was later released on October 29, closing out his time in New York after roughly a year and a half with the organization.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024–2025)
On November 5, 2024, Owens was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad and appeared in two games during the 2024 NFL season, recording his first NFL game appearances. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans on January 6, 2025, positioning himself for an offseason push toward a roster spot. On April 16, 2025, Owens was waived by the Titans as part of offseason roster moves.
Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On July 30, 2025, Owens signed with the Minnesota Vikings, continuing his search for a permanent NFL roster home. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. Shortly afterward, on August 28, 2025, Owens was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad, where he continues to work toward a larger role within the organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Owens’ career has been defined by resilience, including navigating multiple practice squad stints, roster moves, and transitions between organizations since being drafted. His first-team All-AAC selection in 2021 and second-team All-AAC recognition in 2022 stand as his most decorated collegiate accomplishments.
Gervarrius Owens Career Wins
As a safety, Gervarrius Owens’ on-field impact is measured through tackles, interceptions, and all-conference recognition rather than traditional win totals. Across his college career, he recorded at least 51 tackles and three interceptions as a freshman at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and added 52 tackles with two interceptions during his All-AAC junior season at Houston.
College Highlights
Owens earned first-team All-AAC honors in 2021 and second-team All-AAC recognition in 2022, marking back-to-back seasons of conference recognition at the University of Houston. His freshman campaign at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M produced 51 tackles and three interceptions, foreshadowing his development into a multi-year starter.
Gervarrius Owens Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Gervarrius Owens grew up in a family that relocated multiple times across the southern United States, moving from Greenville, Mississippi to Atlanta, Georgia, and finally to Moore, Oklahoma. Public details about his immediate family remain limited. Owens is not married, and details about his personal relationships are not publicly documented.
2025 Season Performance
Gervarrius Owens’ 2025 season has reflected the fluid nature of his early professional career, marked by several roster transactions across multiple organizations. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Tennessee Titans in January 2025, he was waived in April before landing with the Minnesota Vikings in late July. He was waived by Minnesota as part of final cuts on August 26, 2025, and signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad two days later on August 28, 2025.
Owens appeared in two games for the Titans during the 2024 season, but his 2025 on-field production has been limited to practice squad work. His combination of starting experience at Houston and familiarity with multiple defensive schemes gives him a credible path toward earning a game-day role with Chicago if injuries or performance open a window.
Outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on whether Owens can translate his practice squad opportunity into a spot on the Bears’ active roster. With first-team All-AAC credentials from his college career and two NFL games already on his resume, he remains a developmental safety candidate worth monitoring.