Kaevon Merriweather Bio
Kaevon Merriweather (born December 20, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 211 pounds, Merriweather has worked his way through multiple NFL rosters and practice squads to establish himself in the league as a depth safety with special teams value.
Early Life and Background
Kaevon Merriweather was born on December 20, 1999, in Belleville, Michigan, United States. He grew up in the greater Detroit metropolitan area and attended Romulus Senior High School in Romulus, Michigan. During his high school years, Merriweather was a multi-sport athlete who stood out as a basketball player, drawing several college offers to play basketball at the next level.
Despite his success on the hardwood, Merriweather chose to focus on football before his final high school season. He transferred to Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan for his senior year, finishing his prep career closer to home. The decision to switch sports set the foundation for his future as a defensive back.
Merriweather committed to the University of Iowa to play college football after being recruited by Iowa defensive coordinator and longtime defensive backs coach Phil Parker. Parker’s reputation for developing NFL-caliber defensive backs helped convince Merriweather that Iowa was the right place to grow as a player.
Path to Professional Football
Merriweather joined the Iowa Hawkeyes program and began working his way up the depth chart in a defense known for producing NFL talent. His progression through college required patience, including a redshirt season, but his steady development positioned him for a larger role in his later years. He earned recognition as one of the top defensive backs in the Big Ten Conference during his final collegiate season.
After completing his college career, Merriweather entered the 2023 NFL draft as a prospect but was not selected. His opportunity came shortly after the draft when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. That signing marked the official start of his professional football journey.
Kaevon Merriweather Career
Early Career (2023)
Merriweather signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, beginning his rookie season in the NFL. He competed throughout training camp and the preseason for a spot on the roster. On August 29, 2023, the Buccaneers announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster, securing his place on the team for the regular season.
Making the roster as an undrafted rookie was an early milestone for Merriweather and confirmed that Tampa Bay saw long-term potential in him as a depth safety. His first year provided a foundation of NFL practice habits and defensive schemes that would shape his development going forward.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tenure (2023–2024)
Merriweather spent the bulk of his first NFL stretch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, working primarily on special teams and as a reserve safety. In 14 total appearances with five starts for Tampa Bay, he compiled one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 17 combined tackles. Those numbers reflected a developmental role rather than a starting job, but they also showed he could contribute across multiple phases of the game.
On November 18, 2024, Merriweather was waived by the Buccaneers. The release led to a short stint on another roster before he eventually returned to Tampa Bay. On December 3, 2024, the Buccaneers signed him off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, beginning a second stint with the team.
During his time in Tampa Bay, Merriweather built relationships within the defensive backs room and continued to refine his tackling and coverage fundamentals. His ability to bounce back to the same organization showed that the Buccaneers valued his work ethic and football character.
Detroit Lions Practice Squad (2024)
On November 20, 2024, Merriweather signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. The Lions added him as part of their depth and developmental efforts at defensive back. He remained with Detroit only briefly before Tampa Bay came calling again later in the season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Second Stint and Release (2024–2025)
After returning to Tampa Bay, Merriweather continued contributing on special teams and in reserve defensive roles. In 2025, he played in 12 games for the Buccaneers, recording eight combined tackles during the season. His role remained that of a reliable depth piece on the roster.
On December 17, 2025, Merriweather was waived by the Buccaneers. The move opened the door for him to find a new opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Houston Texans Era (2025–Present)
On December 23, 2025, Merriweather signed with the practice squad of the Houston Texans. The move gave him a chance to compete for a spot on a competitive roster late in the season. Joining the Texans represented a fresh start in a new defensive system.
College Career at Iowa (2018–2022)
Merriweather played in nine games as a true freshman at Iowa in 2018. He then took a redshirt in 2019 after playing in two games that season, allowing him to preserve a year of eligibility. The redshirt year gave him extra time to develop physically and mentally within the program.
In 2020, Merriweather started five of nine games and recorded 23 tackles, showing he was ready for a larger role. He continued his growth in 2021, starting seven of 14 games and posting 42 tackles along with one interception as part of a nationally elite Iowa defense. Merriweather returned to Iowa as a starter in 2022 and was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, capping his college career with significant recognition.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Merriweather’s career came when he made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023. His selection as a first-team All-American by CBS Sports during his final college season also stood out as a major individual milestone. Navigating four different team transactions across the 2024 and 2025 seasons highlighted his resilience and perseverance in the league.
Kaevon Merriweather Family
Personal Life
Kaevon Merriweather is a United States national who was raised in Belleville, Michigan. He attended Romulus Senior High School before transferring to Belleville High School for his senior year, reflecting deep ties to his Michigan hometown. Public details about his parents, marital status, or children have not been officially confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Kaevon Merriweather. He began the year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in 12 games and recording eight combined tackles while serving as a depth safety and special teams contributor. His statistical production remained modest, but his presence on the active roster showed that the Buccaneers continued to value his versatility.
On December 17, 2025, the Buccaneers waived Merriweather, ending his second stint with the team. Six days later, on December 23, 2025, he signed with the practice squad of the Houston Texans, giving him a late-season opportunity in a new organization. The quick turnaround from release to a new contract showed that teams around the league continued to view him as a reliable developmental safety.
Looking ahead, Merriweather’s primary goal for the remainder of the 2025 season is to compete for an active roster spot in Houston and contribute on special teams. His experience in multiple defensive systems and his track record of making NFL rosters as an undrafted player position him as a long shot to carve out a larger role. Continued growth in coverage, tackling, and special teams play will determine whether he can secure a longer-term future with the Texans beyond the current campaign.