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 from 2018 to 2022 and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. Merriweather has appeared in multiple seasons with the Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and now the Texans, developing into a reliable presence in defensive backfields across the league.
Early Life and Background
Kaevon Merriweather was born on December 20, 1999, in Belleville, Michigan. He attended Romulus Senior High School in Romulus, Michigan, before transferring to Belleville High School in Belleville for his senior year. During his high school career, Merriweather starred in basketball and received several offers to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level. He ultimately chose to focus on football and began attracting attention from college programs for his defensive abilities.
Merriweather committed to play college football at the University of Iowa, where he was recruited by defensive coordinator and longtime defensive backs coach Phil Parker. His decision to attend Iowa marked the beginning of his journey toward professional football, providing him with the foundation and coaching that would shape his future career.
Path to American Football
At Iowa, Merriweather developed under the guidance of Phil Parker, who is known for producing NFL-caliber defensive backs. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2018 after playing in nine games, then sat out most of 2019 due to injury. In 2020, Merriweather began to establish himself in the Hawkeyes defense, starting five of nine games and recording 23 tackles. His breakthrough came in 2021 when he started seven of 14 games, accumulating 42 tackles and an interception as part of a nationally elite Iowa defense. He returned as a starter for his senior season in 2022.
His strong collegiate career at Iowa culminated with Merriweather being named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, validating his development from a promising recruit into one of the top safeties in college football. This recognition caught the attention of NFL scouts despite him going undrafted in 2023.
Kaevon Merriweather Career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Early Career (2023)
Merriweather signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. Despite not being drafted, he impressed coaches during the offseason and training camp. On August 29, 2023, the Buccaneers announced that Merriweather had made the initial 53-man roster, securing his spot on the team heading into his rookie season. This achievement demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level despite being undrafted.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and League Journeys (2024)
In 2024, Merriweather continued his development with the Buccaneers, appearing in games throughout the season. On November 18, 2024, he was waived by Tampa Bay. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Detroit Lions practice squad on November 20, 2024. Merriweather remained with the Lions for a short period before returning to familiar territory. On December 3, 2024, he was signed back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers active roster off the Lions practice squad. In his combined time with the Buccaneers during the 2024 season, Merriweather appeared in 14 total games with five starts, recording one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 17 combined tackles.
Houston Texans Era (2025-Present)
On December 17, 2025, Merriweather was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending his second stint with the organization. He did not stay available for long, signing with the practice squad of the Houston Texans on December 23, 2025. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a different AFC team. On January 20, 2026, Merriweather signed a reserve/futures contract with the Texans, securing his place on the roster for the 2026 season and beyond. His ability to bounce back after being waived demonstrates his resilience and value as an NFL player.
Playing Style and Strengths
Merriweather has developed a reputation as a reliable safety with good instincts and solid tackling ability. His experience at Iowa under Phil Parker’s defensive system prepared him well for the physical nature of NFL play. He has shown versatility in both coverage and run support, contributing in multiple facets of the game throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Merriweather’s notable professional achievements are his selection as a first-team All-American during his senior year at Iowa and his successful transition from an undrafted free agent to an NFL roster player. His sack recorded during his time with the Buccaneers in 2024 represents one of his standout statistical achievements at the professional level.
Kaevon Merriweather Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Merriweather has compiled meaningful statistics across multiple seasons with different organizations, demonstrating his durability and contribution to defensive units.
NFL Career Highlights
In the 2024 NFL season, Merriweather appeared in 14 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making five starts. He recorded 17 combined tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection. His sack and forced fumble recovery highlight his ability to make impactful plays when given the opportunity. His career statistics through the 2024 season include 38 total tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections.
College Career Statistics
During his collegiate career at Iowa, Merriweather steadily improved each season. In 2020, he started five of nine games with 23 tackles. His 2021 season was his most productive, as he started seven of 14 games and recorded 42 tackles with one interception as part of an elite Iowa defense. He served as a starter throughout the 2022 season, capping his college career with the first-team All-American recognition.
| Competition Level | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Career through 2024) | 26 | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| College (Iowa 2021) | 14 | 42 | N/A | 1 |
Kaevon Merriweather Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Public records do not provide detailed information about Merriweather’s family background or whether he comes from a football family. What is known is that his early athletic pursuits included basketball, in which he excelled at the high school level and received collegiate offers. His path from basketball to football demonstrates his athletic versatility and ability to transition between sports.
Personal Life
Merriweather resides in Michigan and has built his athletic career from the state’s youth sports programs through high school and into college and the professional ranks. His journey from undrafted free agent to NFL roster player reflects his determination and work ethic. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Merriweather. He began the season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he appeared in 12 games and recorded eight combined tackles. On December 17, 2025, the Buccaneers waived Merriweather, concluding his second tenure with the organization. This move came as part of roster adjustments made by the team heading into the final weeks of the season.
Despite being waived, Merriweather quickly found a new opportunity with the Houston Texans. He signed with their practice squad on December 23, 2025, joining a team with developing defensive talent. This quick turnaround demonstrated his value around the league and his ability to contribute to different defensive schemes. Merriweather’s transition to the Texans provided him with a fresh start and the opportunity to compete for a larger role in the secondary during the 2026 season and beyond.