Xavier Jamar Gipson is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 8, 2001, in Dallas, Texas, Gipson attended Woodrow Wilson High School before playing college football at Stephen F. Austin State University. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since established himself as a versatile offensive weapon and return specialist across multiple NFL franchises.
Xavier Jamar Gipson Bio
Xavier Jamar Gipson is a professional football wide receiver currently signed to the New York Giants active roster. After an impressive college career at Stephen F. Austin, he went undrafted in 2023 but signed immediately with the New York Jets. Gipson made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, scoring on a dramatic punt return in overtime against the Buffalo Bills. His versatility as both a receiver and return specialist has allowed him to contribute for multiple NFL teams during his young career.
Early Life and Background
Xavier Jamar Gipson grew up in Dallas, Texas, where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School. During his high school career, he was a four-year starter on the football team, playing primarily at cornerback. During his senior season, Gipson began playing wide receiver, showcasing the dual-threat ability that would define his future career. His performance in high school attracted attention from multiple college programs.
Gipson initially committed to play college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU), planning to continue his cornerback career. However, he later flipped his commitment to Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), where the program recruited him to play on offense. This decision marked the beginning of his transition to becoming a professional wide receiver.
Path to American Football
At Stephen F. Austin, Gipson joined the Lumberjacks program and quickly made an impact at the collegiate level. During his freshman season, he caught 52 passes for 934 yards and seven touchdowns, earning second-team All-Southland Conference honors. His sophomore year saw him post similar numbers with 52 receptions for 841 yards and nine touchdowns, earning first-team All-Southland recognition.
The transition to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) proved to be a breakout period for Gipson. As a junior, he posted remarkable statistics with 74 receptions for 1,367 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the conference and earning WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He repeated this achievement as a senior, solidifying his status as one of the top receivers in the conference and catching the attention of NFL scouts.
Xavier Jamar Gipson Career
New York Jets (2023–2025)
The New York Jets signed Xavier Jamar Gipson as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. His NFL debut came in dramatic fashion during a Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, Gipson returned a punt 65 yards in overtime for a game-winning touchdown, instantly making him a household name among Jets fans. The NFL recognized his performance by naming him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Throughout his rookie season, Gipson served as the Jets’ primary return specialist while also contributing on offense. He finished the 2023 season with 21 receptions for 229 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown, along with handling most of the team’s kick and punt return duties. During Week 14 of the 2023 season against the Houston Texans, he scored a rushing touchdown in the 30–6 victory.
In his second season with the Jets, Gipson continued to develop as a receiver. During Week 8 of the 2024 season, he scored his first NFL receiving touchdown in a game against the New England Patriots. The start of the 2025 season proved challenging, as Gipson fumbled a kickoff in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the Steelers recovered for a touchdown in a 32–34 loss. On September 10, 2025, the Jets waived Gipson.
New York Giants (First Stint, September 2025)
Following his release from the Jets, Gipson was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants on September 11, 2025. He appeared in games for the Giants during his brief initial tenure with the team. However, he was waived by the Giants on September 20, 2025, continuing his journeyman start to his NFL career.
Philadelphia Eagles (2025)
Gipson was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on September 22, 2025. He joined the Eagles roster and contributed on special teams and offense during the 2025 season. His tenure with the Eagles lasted until December 7, 2025, when he was waived by the team.
New York Giants (Second Stint, 2025–Present)
On December 10, 2025, Gipson signed with the New York Giants practice squad, returning to the organization for a second stint. His performance during practices and his continued development as a receiver earned him a promotion to the Giants’ active roster on January 3, 2026. This promotion marked a significant milestone in his career, securing a spot on an NFL active roster heading into the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gipson has established himself as a versatile weapon in an NFL offense, with his greatest strength being his ability as a return specialist. His speed, quickness, and vision allow him to find running lanes and create explosive plays in the return game. As a receiver, he possesses reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches while also showcasing elusiveness after the catch. His experience playing cornerback early in his career provides him with valuable understanding of defensive schemes, helping him find soft spots in coverage and anticipate defensive movements.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Gipson’s young NFL career came in his very first NFL game, when his 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills secured a victory for the Jets on Monday Night Football. This play not only announced his arrival in the NFL but also earned him immediate recognition as AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. His journey through multiple teams in 2025 demonstrates the challenges facing young players trying to establish themselves in the league while also showing his resilience and ability to earn roster spots through his special teams value.
Xavier Jamar Gipson Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Xavier Jamar Gipson has accumulated notable achievements and statistical accomplishments across multiple levels of competition.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Stephen F. Austin, Gipson established himself as one of the most productive receivers in the school’s recent history. His junior and senior seasons represented the peak of his college career, as he earned WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in both years while leading the conference in receiving yards and touchdowns. His career totals at SFA include over 200 receptions for more than 3,000 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns. Gipson was a three-time all-conference selection, earning second-team honors as a freshman before earning first-team recognition in each of his final three seasons.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Gipson has recorded 29 career receptions for 274 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He has also contributed 73 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown, demonstrating his versatility as a ball carrier. His return statistics include 1,990 total return yards with one return touchdown, highlighting his primary value to NFL teams as a special teams weapon. His most memorable NFL moment came in his debut game with a game-winning punt return touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Xavier Jamar Gipson Family
Family Background
Public records do not provide detailed information about Gipson’s family background, parents, or siblings. His personal family details remain private, and he has not publicly discussed his family life extensively in media interviews or social media platforms.
Personal Life
Xavier Jamar Gipson maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field. As of the available information, he is not married and has no children. He continues to focus on his football career while residing in the New York area during the NFL season. His professional journey through multiple teams has required adaptability and resilience, qualities that have defined his early NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging but ultimately rewarding year for Gipson. After beginning the season with the New York Jets, he experienced the volatility of the NFL roster landscape, being waived and claimed multiple times throughout the fall. His early-season fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 marked a difficult start that contributed to his release from the Jets. However, he demonstrated the mental toughness required to continue fighting for an NFL roster spot.
Following his stints with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, Gipson found stability by returning to the Giants organization in December. His signing to the practice squad provided an opportunity to refine his skills and demonstrate his abilities in practice. The subsequent promotion to the active roster in early January 2026 validated his perseverance throughout a tumultuous season. His journey exemplifies the realities faced by young NFL players, where performance on special teams often determines roster longevity.