Greg Newsome II Bio
Gregory Newsome II is an American professional football cornerback who plays in the National Football League (NFL). As of 2025, he is a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 192 pounds, Newsome has built his career on a reputation for smooth coverage, reliable tackling, and a strong commitment to team defense.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Newsome emerged as a top college prospect at Northwestern University, where his ball skills and athleticism earned him All-American recognition. He entered the NFL as a first-round selection in 2021 and quickly developed into a starting cornerback before being recognized as one of the more recognizable young players at his position. His journey from the Midwest to the NFL has been defined by steady progress, and his arrival in Jacksonville signals the start of a new chapter in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Gregory Newsome II was born on May 18, 2000, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the surrounding Midwest region. He attended Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois, where he began to attract attention as a multi-sport athlete with a clear future on the gridiron. During his high school years, he developed the speed, length, and technique that would later become trademarks of his professional style.
Seeking a stronger national schedule and a more challenging training environment, Newsome transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year. The move placed him among elite high school talent from across the country and helped him refine his skills against top-tier competition. Following that final prep season, he committed to Northwestern University, where the program’s emphasis on discipline and academics matched his own priorities.
Path to American Football
At Northwestern, Newsome quickly earned a role in the Wildcats’ secondary and became a fixture in the starting lineup. Across three college seasons, he recorded 71 tackles and one interception, while starting 18 games and helping lead the program to two Big Ten Championship Game appearances. His development under the Northwestern coaching staff emphasized fundamentals, route recognition, and the kind of patient coverage that translates well to the next level.
As a junior in 2020, Newsome produced his strongest college season, earning Second-team All-American honors from The Athletic and First-team All-Big Ten recognition. After that campaign, he declared for the 2021 NFL draft and was widely regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects in the class. Analysts praised his size, length, speed, and well-rounded skill set, projecting him as a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Greg Newsome II Career
Early Career (2021)
The Cleveland Browns selected Newsome in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 26th overall, making him the fourth cornerback taken in the class. His selection was notable because it marked the first time Northwestern had two first-round picks in the same draft, following Rashawn Slater’s earlier selection. On July 24, 2021, the Browns signed him to a four-year, fully guaranteed contract that included a substantial signing bonus.
Newsome entered his first NFL training camp slated to replace Terrance Mitchell as a starting cornerback alongside Denzel Ward. He made his professional regular-season debut on September 12, 2021, against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording one solo tackle. A calf injury forced him to miss two games, but he returned to post five solo tackles and three pass deflections in a Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. A late-season concussion limited his availability, yet he finished his rookie year with 37 combined tackles and nine pass deflections across 12 games, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Newsome remained a starter in 2022, lining up opposite Denzel Ward under defensive coordinator Joe Woods. He posted 42 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and half a sack in 15 starts, while also recording his first career sack against the Miami Dolphins. His coverage play earned an improved Pro Football Focus grade, signaling continued growth in man and zone responsibilities.
The 2023 season proved to be his most productive year in Cleveland. He recorded 49 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 14 games, highlighted by a pick-six off Lamar Jackson in a comeback win at Baltimore and an interception of Trevor Lawrence against the Jaguars. The Browns finished 11-6 and reached the AFC Wildcard round, where Newsome contributed four solo tackles in a loss to the Houston Texans.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025-Present)
On October 9, 2025, Newsome was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars along with a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round pick. The move brought Newsome to a Jacksonville secondary looking to add experienced depth and playmaking ability. His arrival came at a pivotal point in the season, with the Jaguars pushing for postseason positioning in the AFC South.
Newsome’s first weeks in Jacksonville offered a fresh start after a 2024 season in Cleveland that included a midseason depth-chart adjustment and a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. He finished that 2024 campaign with 27 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception across 13 games, though his overall Pro Football Focus grade dipped to 52.2. In Jacksonville, the organization is counting on his coverage instincts and veteran presence to bolster a young defensive backfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Newsome’s most memorable career moments is his 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against Lamar Jackson in a 2023 comeback win at Baltimore. That play showcased his closing speed and ball awareness. He also recorded a pick against Trevor Lawrence later that same season, underscoring his knack for timely plays. His selection as a first-round pick in 2021 remains a defining milestone, representing the first time Northwestern produced two first-round draft picks in the same year.
Greg Newsome II Family
Personal Life
Newsome maintains an active presence off the field and connects with fans through his verified Instagram account. He is known to keep his personal life relatively private, with limited public information available regarding long-term relationships or children. His journey from Chicago to the NFL has remained a focal point of his public story, and he continues to be recognized as a proud representative of his hometown.
2025 Season Performance
Newsome began the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns after the team exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Through the early weeks, he was part of a cornerback rotation that included Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson, though his role was adjusted when he was moved to the third cornerback position on the depth chart. The change opened the door for a midseason reset and a change of scenery.
Following the October 2025 trade to Jacksonville, Newsome joined a Jaguars team in pursuit of an AFC South title. His experience as a multi-year NFL starter, combined with his pass-defense numbers, positioned him as a potential upgrade for a Jacksonville secondary seeking more consistency. The trade also represented a reunion of sorts, given his past interception of Trevor Lawrence during the 2023 season.
Looking ahead, Newsome’s outlook in Jacksonville will depend on his ability to stay healthy and re-establish the form he showed in 2023. With a contract that runs through 2025 and a new defensive scheme to learn, he has a clear opportunity to redefine his career trajectory. The Jaguars’ investment in acquiring him signals confidence that he can return to peak performance and contribute as a featured cornerback in the seasons to come.