Zyon Gilbert Bio
Zyon Gilbert, born February 4, 1999, in Montgomery, Alabama, is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022, beginning a journeyman NFL career that has since included stops with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Early Life and Background
Zyon Gilbert was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended Jefferson Davis High School. A versatile two-way player, he earned all-state honors twice while patrolling the secondary and contributing on offense. At a season-ending banquet, Gilbert was recognized as his school’s best defensive back and best two-way player, and he also received a speed award for his athletic ability.
Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Gilbert committed to Florida Atlantic, choosing the Owls program over other college options. His production in the talent-rich Alabama high school ranks gave him a foundation that carried directly into a starting role as a true freshman in college.
Path to American Football
Gilbert’s path to the professional level began with an immediate impact at Florida Atlantic. He became a starter as a true freshman in 2017, recording 52 total tackles in 14 games, an unusually heavy workload for a first-year college player. By his second season, he had already established himself as a reliable presence in the Owls secondary.
Across five seasons at Florida Atlantic, Gilbert developed into one of the program’s most experienced defenders. After the 2020 campaign, the NCAA granted him an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he returned for a final season in 2021. He finished his college career as Florida Atlantic’s all-time leader in games played with 57, a record that reflected his durability and consistency.
Zyon Gilbert Career
Early Career (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Zyon Gilbert signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent, the first step in his professional journey. He was released at the final roster cuts but bounced back quickly, re-signing with the Giants’ practice squad and waiting for his opportunity.
That opportunity arrived in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders, when Gilbert was elevated to the active roster. He made his NFL debut as a starting cornerback, appearing on 62 defensive snaps and recording seven tackles, a strong introduction to professional football. The following week against the Philadelphia Eagles, he posted his first career sack, a moment that showed his willingness to contribute in the run game as well as the pass game.
New York Giants Era (2022-2023)
Gilbert’s rookie season with the Giants ended on a high note when he signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2023, securing his place with the organization heading into the next league year. The contract signaled that the team saw long-term value in his development despite his late-season debut.
His time in New York concluded on August 29, 2023, when he was waived as part of the roster cutdown. Although his stint with the Giants was brief, his debut performance and first career sack provided a foundation of NFL experience that helped him land quickly with another franchise.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023-2024)
On October 25, 2023, Gilbert was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad, giving him a fresh start in the NFC North. He continued to develop on the practice field and was again rewarded with a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024, indicating the Packers’ belief in his long-term potential.
Gilbert’s time in Green Bay ended on July 30, 2024, when he was released during the early stages of training camp. Despite the short stay, his work on the Packers practice squad kept him in the league and prepared him for his next opportunity.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024-Present)
Gilbert signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 14, 2024, joining a defensive back room known for its physical style of play. He was waived on August 27, 2024, but was re-signed to the practice squad two days later, showing that the Steelers wanted to keep him in the organization.
He was released on September 17 and re-signed approximately one month later, the kind of back-and-forth movement common for practice-squad players. His continued association with the Steelers has given Gilbert a stable landing spot as he works to carve out a larger defensive role.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Gilbert’s early career came in his NFL debut, when he logged 62 defensive snaps and seven tackles against the Washington Commanders in 2022. The following week, he added his first career sack against the Philadelphia Eagles, a small but memorable milestone for an undrafted rookie. At the college level, he set Florida Atlantic’s all-time record for games played with 57 appearances, a mark that reflects his longevity and consistency.
Zyon Gilbert Career Highlights
Zyon Gilbert’s career highlights begin at the college level, where he racked up 248 tackles, 31 passes defended, and five interceptions over five seasons with the Florida Atlantic Owls. In the NFL, he has been a dependable practice-squad and special teams contributor, with his first career sack against the Philadelphia Eagles standing as a notable early achievement. His journey through three different organizations within his first three professional seasons speaks to his resilience and the trust multiple teams have placed in his athletic upside.
College Highlights
Gilbert earned honorable mention all-conference recognition three times during his time at Florida Atlantic, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, an unusual level of consistent recognition for a cornerback. He recorded double-digit passes defended in both 2019 and 2021, peaking with 12 passes defended and two interceptions as a senior in 2021. By the end of his college career, he had appeared in 57 games, more than any other player in program history.
Zyon Gilbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zyon Gilbert was raised in Montgomery, Alabama, the same city where he was born, giving him deep roots in the local community. His high school, Jefferson Davis, is located in Montgomery, and his development there as a two-way player shaped his competitive foundation.
Personal Life
Zyon Gilbert, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 194 pounds, has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Information about his immediate family, marital status, and children has not been publicly confirmed, and he remains focused on his professional football career.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, Zyon Gilbert’s immediate professional future centers on his standing with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, where he has been re-signed after a series of practice-squad moves late in 2024. With a new league year approaching, Gilbert will look to convert his practice-squad experience into a more permanent role on the active roster. His speed, special teams background, and experience across multiple defensive schemes give him versatility that coaches often value when finalizing 53-man rosters.
Gilbert’s career arc through 2025 will depend largely on his performance in training camp and preseason games, where he has a chance to show the Steelers staff that he is ready for a larger defensive role. The familiarity he has built within the Pittsburgh system over the past several months should help him compete for a depth spot at cornerback or a featured role on special teams. A strong camp could finally give him the kind of roster security that has eluded him through his first three NFL seasons.
Beyond his on-field play, Gilbert’s 2025 outlook is shaped by the durability and longevity that defined his college career at Florida Atlantic, where he set the program’s all-time games played record. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop, he has a realistic path toward becoming a steady rotational defensive back in the NFL.