Swayze Bozeman Bio
Swayze Bozeman (born November 2, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). A native of Flora, Mississippi, he is recognized for his journey from a small high school program to competing in the NFL, with stints on the practice squads and active rosters of multiple franchises.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 224 pounds, Bozeman has built his professional career on a foundation of tackling, versatility, and special-teams work. He currently plays for the New York Giants, where he has been a member of the active roster and practice squad during the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Swayze Bozeman was born on November 2, 1998, in Flora, Mississippi. He grew up in his hometown and attended Tri-County Academy, a small private school in Flora. At Tri-County, he was a multi-sport athlete who competed in football, basketball, and track and field, building the athletic foundation that would later define his career.
In football, Bozeman played on both defense and at running back during his high school years. He helped lead his school to two MAIS AA state championship appearances, a notable achievement for a program of its size. He graduated from Tri-County Academy in 2017 and was the first NCAA Division I football player from his high school since 2002, a distinction that underscored how unique his path to higher-level football would become.
Path to American Football
After high school, Bozeman chose to begin his college career at the junior college level, signing with the Copiah–Lincoln Wolves. The decision allowed him to develop physically and technically while facing competitive opposition in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. It was at Copiah–Lincoln where he refined his defensive skills and earned attention from larger college programs.
Following his two seasons with the Wolves, Bozeman signed with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, stepping up to NCAA Division I football. The transition marked a significant milestone in his career, as he sought to prove that a player from a small high school could compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. His progression from a high school multi-sport athlete to a Division I defender laid the groundwork for his future in professional football.
Swayze Bozeman Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Bozeman began his college career as a safety at Copiah–Lincoln in 2017 before switching to linebacker in 2018. As a sophomore in 2018, he was named All-Region after posting a team-leading 91 tackles, and he was also a first-team All-Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges selection. Over his two seasons with the Wolves, he recorded 133 tackles in 19 games played, finishing as one of the top tacklers in the MACJC.
After his time at Copiah–Lincoln, Bozeman signed with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. In his first year with the team in 2019, he saw significant playing time, starting eight games while appearing in all 13. He recorded 57 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, quickly establishing himself as a reliable defensive contributor at the Division I level.
Southern Miss Tenure (2020–2023)
At Southern Miss, Bozeman continued to develop as a linebacker through a series of seasons marked by both production and adversity. He started all six games in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, totaling 42 tackles, demonstrating consistency in a difficult year for college athletics.
In 2021, he played in four games before taking a redshirt due to injury, finishing that stretch with 20 tackles. He appeared in three games in 2022, missing time due to injury, and made 13 tackles while also returning a fumble for a touchdown. In his final collegiate season of 2023, he appeared in six games and made 36 tackles. He concluded his tenure at Southern Miss having recorded 168 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks in 32 games played.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Bozeman was signed to the New York Giants practice squad after a brief stint with the Chicago Bears earlier in the year. He was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2025, giving him another opportunity to contribute at the NFL level. He recorded three tackles in four appearances for the Giants before being waived on October 25, 2025.
Three days after his release, Bozeman was re-signed to the Giants practice squad, continuing his association with the organization. His ability to move between the active roster and practice squad reflects the depth and constant roster churn of the NFL, and he remains positioned to be elevated again as the season progresses.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Bozeman is a linebacker rather than a driver, his on-field strengths center on tackling, run defense, and pass coverage. His college production at Copiah–Lincoln and Southern Miss highlighted his ability to accumulate tackles, while his experience as a safety early in his career gave him the coverage skills expected of modern linebackers. His pro day performance also showed impressive measurables in the bench press, broad jump, shuttle run, and three-cone drill, with each mark ranking among the best for linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Bozeman’s career came at his pro day, where his testing numbers would have been the best among linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine. He made his NFL debut in Week 14 of the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs against the Los Angeles Chargers after being elevated from the practice squad. He has since appeared in regular-season games for the New York Giants in 2025, recording his first NFL tackles during the season.
Swayze Bozeman Career Wins
Swayze Bozeman’s professional career to this point has been defined by roster opportunities and defensive contributions rather than traditional win totals. Since entering the NFL in 2024, he has appeared in regular-season games for the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Giants, contributing on defense and special teams while moving between the practice squad and the active roster.
NFL Highlights
Bozeman made his NFL debut with the Kansas City Chiefs after being elevated from the practice squad for a Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. In 2025, he signed with the New York Giants and recorded three tackles across four appearances before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad. These appearances represent his first verified regular-season action at the professional level.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Bozeman earned All-Region honors at Copiah–Lincoln in 2018 and was a first-team All-MACJC selection that same year. He also helped his Tri-County Academy high school program reach two MAIS AA state championship appearances, an early indicator of his competitive drive.
Swayze Bozeman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Swayze Bozeman’s family background is limited. He is a native of Flora, Mississippi, and grew up in the community where he attended Tri-County Academy. His path from a small private school to the NFL highlights the role of local support systems, though specific family details are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Swayze Bozeman keeps his personal life largely private. Confirmed public details center on his career, including his time at Tri-County Academy, Copiah–Lincoln, and Southern Miss. Additional personal information, such as marital status or children, has not been publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
Swayze Bozeman’s 2025 season began when he signed with the Chicago Bears on February 14, 2025, before being waived on August 24, 2025. He then joined the New York Giants practice squad on August 28, 2025, and was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2025, providing him with a fresh opportunity to contribute.
During his time on the Giants active roster, Bozeman appeared in four games and recorded three tackles before being waived on October 25, 2025. He was re-signed to the practice squad three days later, keeping him within the organization as the season continued. His movement between the active roster and practice squad has been a defining theme of his 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, Bozeman’s role with the Giants in the latter portion of the 2025 season will likely depend on team needs, injuries, and performance on the practice field. His prior NFL experience with the Chiefs and his college production at Southern Miss give him a credible case to be elevated again as the Giants evaluate their linebacker depth.