Xavier Newman-Johnson Bio
Xavier Newman-Johnson is an American professional football guard currently playing for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). Born Xavier Newman on August 4, 1999, in DeSoto, Texas, he established himself as a highly decorated high school prospect before playing college football at Baylor University from 2017 to 2021. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Tennessee Titans and has since developed into a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing both guard and center positions. His NFL journey includes stints with both the Titans and Jets organizations, where he has contributed on the active roster and practice squad.
Early Life and Background
Newman-Johnson was born on August 4, 1999, in DeSoto, Texas, where he attended DeSoto High School. During his high school career, he distinguished himself as an All-American and all-state selection in football. His exceptional performance on the offensive line earned him recognition as one of the top 300 best recruits nationally according to ESPN. As a senior at DeSoto High School, he helped his team average an impressive 540 offensive yards per game, showcasing the caliber of player he had become.
Newman-Johnson initially committed to play college football at the University of Texas before later flipping his commitment to Colorado. He would ultimately choose Baylor University, where his collegiate football career would unfold over the following years.
Path to Professional Football
Upon arriving at Baylor University, Newman-Johnson immediately demonstrated his potential as a true freshman. He appeared in 11 games and started eight contests at left guard during his debut season, establishing himself as a reliable presence on the offensive line. The following year, he continued his development by starting three games at left guard while appearing in four additional games. As a junior, he shifted to right guard, starting eight games and appearing in a total of 10 contests.
In his senior season, Newman-Johnson appeared in five games, starting four, with three of those starts coming at left guard and one at center. Following the season, he was granted an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and made the decision to return to Baylor for a fifth season in 2021. That year, he started all 14 games at left guard and played a pivotal role in helping the Bears average 219.3 rushing yards per game, a figure that ranked 10th nationally. He earned honorable mention all-conference recognition and concluded his college career having played 47 games with 37 starts.
Xavier Newman-Johnson Career
Tennessee Titans (2022–2023)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Newman-Johnson signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. His tenure with the team began with an appearance on the practice squad after being waived during final roster cuts. He was elevated to the active roster on December 23, 2022, and made his NFL debut six days later in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Newman-Johnson earned a spot on the Titans roster for the 2023 season. He was waived on October 2, 2023, bringing his time with the organization to an end after contributing during his rookie year and early portions of his second season.
New York Jets (2023–Present)
On October 5, 2023, Newman-Johnson was signed to the New York Jets practice squad. He saw his first game action with the Jets on October 29 against the New York Giants, playing both guard and center positions. He was signed to the active roster on November 23, providing depth along the offensive line. He was waived on December 2 and returned to the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster once again on December 16.
During the 2024 season, Newman-Johnson experienced a frightening moment on October 20 during a game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. He suffered a high-impact hit and collapsed on the Jets sideline as he walked back to the team bench. He remained conscious but was unable to move his body initially. Medical staff loaded him onto a gurney and transported him to a local hospital for evaluation. He squeezed the hand of one of the athletic trainers as he was leaving for the hospital, and later reports indicated he had regained some movement in his limbs. He was released from the hospital the following day after tests came back negative for major injury and returned to the team following their 37-15 loss to the Steelers.
On April 2, 2025, Newman-Johnson re-signed with the Jets. He appeared in five games for New York during the regular season. On January 3, 2026, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Newman-Johnson has established himself as a versatile offensive lineman with the ability to play multiple interior positions. His collegiate experience at both guard spots and center has translated to his professional career, where he has been called upon to fill various roles along the Jets offensive line. His quick adaptation to different positions demonstrates the football intelligence and positional flexibility that NFL teams value in backup linemen.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the notable moments in Newman-Johnson’s career is his NFL debut against the Dallas Cowboys in December 2022, representing the culmination of his journey from high school standout to professional athlete. His frightening collapse during the 2024 game against the Steelers brought significant attention, though medical tests cleared him of major injury. His continued re-signing by the Jets organization signals the team’s confidence in his abilities as a depth piece on their offensive line.
Xavier Newman-Johnson Career Statistics
Newman-Johnson has appeared in 25 NFL games with 5 starts through the 2025 season. His professional career has been characterized by his ability to contribute both on the active roster and practice squad, providing valuable depth at multiple interior offensive line positions. His experience spans two NFL organizations and includes gameplay at both guard and center.
Professional Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career from 2022 to 2025, Newman-Johnson has accumulated 25 games played and 5 games started. He has appeared in games with both the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets organizations, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different systems and team environments. His five starts have come exclusively with the Jets, where he has served in both starting and backup capacities along the interior offensive line.
College Career Highlights
At Baylor University from 2017 to 2021, Newman-Johnson played 47 games with 37 starts across four seasons plus a fifth year granted due to COVID-19. His best season came in 2021 when he started all 14 games at left guard and helped the Bears rank 10th nationally in rushing offense. He earned honorable mention all-conference recognition during his final collegiate season.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022–2025) | 25 | 5 |
| College (Baylor 2017–2021) | 47 | 37 |
Xavier Newman-Johnson Family
Personal Life
Born Xavier Newman, he legally changed his name to Xavier Newman-Johnson. Information regarding his family background, including parents and siblings, has not been publicly disclosed. His personal life remains largely private, with no publicly available information about a spouse or children as of 2025.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Newman-Johnson’s career with the New York Jets. He re-signed with the team on April 2, 2025, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in retaining his services as depth along the offensive line. Throughout the regular season, he appeared in five games, continuing to provide versatility and experience in the interior of the Jets line.
His ability to play both guard and center positions remained a valuable asset for the Jets coaching staff, allowing them flexibility in managing their offensive line rotation. The team’s confidence in his abilities was reflected in their decision to bring him back for an additional season after his injury scare in 2024.
On January 3, 2026, Newman-Johnson’s 2025 season came to an end when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury. The injury occurred during the regular season and required him to miss the remainder of the campaign. The specific details of the injury and his recovery timeline were not extensively reported publicly. His placement on injured reserve concluded a season that saw him contribute in limited game action while serving as a reliable depth piece for the Jets offensive line.