Tre Swilling Bio
Tre Swilling is an American professional football cornerback who has played for multiple NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Born on March 26, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Swilling carries a distinguished football legacy as the son of College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Pat Swilling. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021 before embarking on his professional career that has included stints with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers.
Early Life and Background
Tre Swilling was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he grew up immersed in football. His father, Pat Swilling, earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame following a distinguished career as a standout linebacker. This family legacy provided Tre with early exposure to elite-level football and shaped his development as an athlete from a young age in the football-rich culture of New Orleans.
Swilling attended Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, where he developed into a notable high school football prospect. His performance on the field attracted significant attention from major college programs across the country. When it came time to make his college commitment decision, Swilling chose to continue his football career at Georgia Tech, selecting the Yellow Jackets over scholarship offers from several powerhouse programs including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and Michigan.
Path to Professional Football
Swilling arrived at Georgia Tech in 2017 and spent his first season adjusting to the collegiate level before earning meaningful playing time in subsequent years. His breakthrough came during the 2018 season when he recorded his first career interception in week ten against North Carolina, contributing to a Georgia Tech victory. That season, he finished with 24 tackles including 1.5 for loss, one sack, six pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble.
The 2019 season proved to be Swilling’s most impressive campaign at Georgia Tech. In the season opener against Clemson, he broke up a pass and intercepted a throw from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, returning it 41 yards. Although Georgia Tech fell to Clemson, Swilling’s performance showcased his ability to make plays against top competition. He concluded the 2019 season with 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, ten pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition for his efforts.
Swilling continued his development over the following two seasons. In 2020, he recorded 21 tackles with one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. His senior season in 2021 saw him notch 33 tackles with two for loss, one sack, and four pass deflections. When his Georgia Tech career concluded, Swilling had accumulated 101 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 21 pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles across 47 career games.
Tre Swilling Career
Professional Transition (2022)
Despite his productive college career, Swilling went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022, but was waived during roster cuts on August 30. He quickly found a new opportunity when the New Orleans Saints signed him to their practice squad on September 12, 2022. Swilling spent nearly a month with the Saints before being released on October 4.
Swilling continued bouncing between organizations late in the 2022 season. The San Francisco 49ers signed him to their practice squad on December 20, 2022, though he was released less than a week later on December 27. The 49ers brought him back in February 2023, signing him to a reserve/future contract. He was waived again in late August 2023 but rejoined the practice squad shortly after.
Baltimore Ravens and Subsequent Stints (2023–Present)
Swilling joined the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2023, signing to their practice squad. He earned a reserve/future contract with the Ravens in January 2024, indicating the team’s interest in developing him for the 2024 season. However, he was waived by Baltimore on July 22, 2024, before the new season began.
The New York Jets signed Swilling on August 2, 2024. After being waived during roster reductions, he rejoined the Jets on their practice squad. He was active for one game during the 2024 regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins, playing on special teams in the Jets’ 30-20 victory. Following the season, Swilling signed another reserve/future contract with New York in January 2025, only to be waived by the Jets on June 12, 2025.
Swilling continued his journeyman path when he signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 23, 2025. He was waived less than two months later on August 25, 2025, leaving his status for the remainder of the 2025 season uncertain.
Playing Style and Strengths
Swilling lines up as a cornerback, a position requiring agility, coverage ability, and instincts for reading quarterbacks and receivers. His college tape showed competent ball skills, evident in his 21 career pass deflections and two interceptions at Georgia Tech. He demonstrated the ability to contribute on special teams during his brief NFL appearances, which has been essential to earning roster spots and practice squad elevations throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his NFL journey, several moments stand out in Swilling’s young career. His week one interception against Trevor Lawrence and Clemson in 2019 highlighted his ability to make plays against elite competition. His September 2023 elevation from the 49ers practice squad to the active roster following Samuel Womack’s injury represented one of his most significant NFL opportunities to date. His appearance in the Jets’ season finale against Miami in 2024 provided additional NFL game experience on special teams.
Tre Swilling Career Statistics
Swilling has appeared in a limited number of NFL games since entering the league in 2022, primarily contributing on special teams when activated to game day rosters.
College Career Highlights (Georgia Tech 2017–2021)
Across four seasons of meaningful playing time at Georgia Tech, Swilling established himself as a reliable defensive back with 101 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 21 pass deflections. His 2019 All-ACC Honorable Mention season featured his most impressive statistical output, including ten pass deflections and his memorable interception against Trevor Lawrence. He appeared in 47 games throughout his college career, demonstrating durability and consistent contribution to the Yellow Jackets defense.
Professional Career Summary
In his first two NFL seasons through 2023, Swilling appeared in two games with both coming during his time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. His career has been defined by practice squad tenures and roster spot competitions as he continues working to establish himself at the professional level. The 2025 season represents another opportunity for the young cornerback to carve out a more permanent role in the league.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Tackles | Pass Deflections | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (Georgia Tech) | 47 | 101 | 21 | 2 |
| NFL (through 2023) | 2 | — | — | — |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tre Swilling comes from a highly accomplished football family. His father, Pat Swilling, built a legendary career as a linebacker that culminated in his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Pat Swilling’s success in the sport set a high standard for his son and provided Tre with invaluable mentorship and guidance throughout his development as a football player. The Swilling family’s deep roots in New Orleans football culture have been a defining influence on Tre’s journey in the sport.
Personal Life
Tre Swilling remains focused on his football career as he continues pursuing opportunities in the NFL. Given the journeyman nature of his early professional career, he has demonstrated resilience and adaptability while working to refine his skills at the cornerback position. His commitment to continuing the family legacy in football remains evident despite the challenges of establishing himself at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Swilling signing with the Carolina Panthers on July 23. This marked another chapter in his NFL journey as he sought to earn a more permanent roster spot with a new organization. The Panthers represented his sixth different NFL franchise since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Unfortunately, Swilling was waived by the Panthers on August 25, 2025, before the regular season commenced, leaving him as a free agent seeking another opportunity.
Throughout his career, Swilling has shown the ability to make rosters and earn practice squad elevations, but converting those opportunities into sustained NFL playing time has remained a work in progress. At 26 years old, he still has time to develop and find a more stable role in the league. His special teams experience and college production provide a foundation that could appeal to teams dealing with injuries or seeking depth at cornerback as the season progresses.
The 2025 season thus far has not unfolded as Swilling had hoped, but his career trajectory shows that NFL opportunities can arise quickly through practice squad signings and mid-season roster moves. His demonstrated resilience in bouncing back from previous releases suggests he will continue pursuing his NFL ambitions with the same determination that characterized his college career at Georgia Tech.