Neville Hewitt Bio
Neville Hewitt is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Hewitt played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, where he transitioned from safety to linebacker. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 before signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Hewitt has built a durable NFL career spanning multiple teams over ten seasons, accumulating significant statistical production at the linebacker position.
Early Life and Background
Neville Hewitt was born on April 6, 1993, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He grew up in the greater Atlanta area and attended Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Georgia, where his football abilities began to develop. His early athletic foundation in Georgia would later influence his college recruitment path.
After high school, Hewitt played junior college football at Georgia Military College from 2011 to 2012. At Georgia Military, he recorded 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five pass breakups during the 2012 season. His performance at the junior college level demonstrated his range as a defensive player and put him on the path toward Division I football.
Path to American Football
Following his junior college career, Hewitt transferred to Marshall University in 2013. At Marshall, he made the transition from safety to linebacker, a move that would define his professional trajectory. Over his two seasons with the Thundering Herd from 2013 to 2014, Hewitt posted 208 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, along with two interceptions, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
His senior season in 2014 proved to be exceptional, as he earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors. This recognition solidified his standing as one of the top defensive players in the conference and caught the attention of NFL scouts despite going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Neville Hewitt Career
Miami Dolphins (2015-2017)
Hewitt signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2015, following the conclusion of the NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2015, against the Washington Redskins. His first career start came on November 22 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he recorded his first career interception. He finished his rookie season with 39 tackles and one interception in 13 games played.
In his second season with the Dolphins, Hewitt recorded his first career fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens on December 4, 2016. He recorded his first career sack against the New York Jets on December 17, 2016. He posted a career-high nine tackles against the Buffalo Bills the following week. He contributed five tackles in the AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2016 season. Hewitt was waived by the Dolphins on September 2, 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad on October 9 before being promoted to the active roster on November 22, 2017.
New York Jets (2018-2020)
On March 28, 2018, Hewitt signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets. In his debut season with the team, he played in 16 games with four starts, recording 39 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. On March 13, 2019, Hewitt re-signed with the Jets. During the 2019 season, he intercepted Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in Week 1 and later sacked Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 2. He also intercepted Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins in Week 11 during a 34-17 Jets victory.
On March 25, 2020, Hewitt re-signed with the Jets for a third season. He started all 16 games that year, leading the team with a career-high 134 tackles, along with 2.0 sacks, four passes defensed, and one interception. This breakthrough season established him as a reliable starting linebacker in the NFL.
Houston Texans (2021-2024)
Hewitt signed with the Houston Texans on May 7, 2021. He played in all 17 games with five starts in his first season with the team, recording 60 tackles. On March 30, 2022, Hewitt re-signed with the Texans, appearing primarily on special teams during the 2022 season. He re-signed for a third season with the Texans on May 8, 2023, continuing his special teams contributions. Hewitt re-signed once again with the Texans on April 1, 2024, for his fourth season with the organization.
New York Giants (2025-Present)
On September 16, 2025, Hewitt signed with the New York Giants practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 9, 2025, joining the Giants linebacker corps. This move reunited him with an organization in the nation’s largest media market, continuing his decade-long NFL journey.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hewitt has established himself as a reliable inside linebacker known for his tackling ability and instincts in coverage. His career-high 134 tackles with the Jets in 2020 demonstrated his production as a three-down linebacker. He has shown versatility playing both as a run defender and in pass coverage, with the ability to blitz the quarterback effectively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hewitt earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014 at Marshall, the highest individual recognition of his college career. His journey from undrafted free agent to durable NFL starter spans ten seasons across four franchises, a testament to his persistence and adaptability at the professional level.
Neville Hewitt Career Statistics
Across his NFL career spanning the 2015 through 2025 seasons, Hewitt has accumulated significant statistical production while playing for the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and New York Giants.
NFL Statistics Summary
In 90 career NFL games played, Hewitt has recorded 511 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and 16 pass deflections. His most prolific season came in 2020 with the Jets, when he led the team with 134 tackles while adding 2.0 sacks and one interception as a full-time starter. His career-high for single-game tackles stands at nine, achieved during his time with the Dolphins.
Hewitt has appeared in two playoff games, recording five tackles during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins in the 2016 AFC Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Neville Hewitt Family
Family Background
Publicly available information about Hewitt’s family background remains limited. He was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Georgia. Further details about his parents or family members in athletics are not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Specific details regarding Hewitt’s marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly available. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms including X and Instagram, where he engages with fans regarding his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Following five seasons with the Houston Texans, Hewitt joined the New York Giants organization in September 2025, initially signing with the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October. The transition represented a new chapter in his career as he joined a Giants team seeking to rebuild its linebacker corps with experienced veteran leadership.
Hewitt’s contributions with the Giants have centered on bringing stability and experience to the defensive unit. His decade of NFL experience across multiple defensive systems provided valuable versatility for a Giants team navigating the 2025 season. The Giants coaching staff valued his ability to play multiple linebacker positions and contribute on special teams, ensuring he remained a meaningful part of the roster rotation.
Throughout the 2025 season, Hewitt demonstrated the same reliability that characterized his career, appearing in games and providing steady production when called upon. His professionalism and work ethic established him as a positive influence in the locker room, mentoring younger players while continuing to make contributions on the field for the Giants defense.