Divaad Wilson Bio
Divaad “Newt” Wilson (born January 26, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback who has spent time with multiple NFL franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played college football for the UCF Knights and the Georgia Bulldogs, building a reputation as a versatile defensive back. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 195 pounds, Wilson has worked to carve out a role in the NFL through practice squad promotions and short stints on active rosters.
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Wilson emerged from one of the most productive football pipelines in the country before taking his talents to the Southeastern Conference and later the American Athletic Conference. Across his first three professional seasons, he has appeared in limited regular-season action while continuing to develop on practice squads with several teams.
Early Life and Background
Divaad Wilson was born on January 26, 2000, in Miami, Florida, and grew up in a city known for producing elite football talent. He attended Miami Northwestern High School, where he was a dual-sport athlete in football and track and field. His high school performance drew attention from major college programs and national recruiting analysts.
Wilson was rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, ranking as the No. 26 defensive back nationally, the No. 242 overall prospect, and the No. 46 prospect in the state of Florida. ESPN also listed him as a four-star recruit, ranked No. 205 nationally and No. 26 among cornerbacks. These rankings established him as one of the top defensive backs in his recruiting class and helped set the stage for his college career.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Miami Northwestern, Wilson chose to begin his college career at the University of Georgia, a program with a strong tradition of developing defensive backs. As a redshirt freshman with the Bulldogs, he appeared in 13 games and earned starts against Notre Dame and Kentucky, gaining valuable experience on a top-tier defense and adjusting to the speed of the Southeastern Conference.
After his time at Georgia, Wilson transferred to UCF, where he continued to develop and expand his role. His junior season saw him start 12 of 13 regular-season games at safety, earn third-team All-American Athletic Conference recognition from Pro Football Focus, and lead the team in interceptions. He finished his final college season in 2022 as a versatile nickel corner who also returned punts, earning second-team All-AAC honors from Pro Football Network and a place on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.
Divaad Wilson Career
Early Career (2023)
Wilson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2023, beginning his professional career in the AFC South. His time with the Jaguars was short, as the team released him on August 29, 2023, during the final roster cuts before the regular season.
Just days after his release, Wilson joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 4, 2023, where he continued to work on his game and wait for an opportunity to contribute on defense.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–2024)
Wilson made his NFL debut with the Cardinals in Week 12 of the 2023 season, appearing in a game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 26, 2023. Elevated from the practice squad for the matchup, he recorded one solo tackle in the contest. The Cardinals signed him to the active roster on January 5, 2024, rewarding his progress through the practice squad.
Heading into the 2024 offseason, Wilson was waived by Arizona on August 27, 2024, but re-signed to the practice squad the same day, maintaining his ties with the organization. During his time in Arizona, he continued to refine his technique and contribute on special teams when called upon.
New York Giants Era (2024)
On December 11, 2024, Wilson was signed off the Cardinals practice squad by the New York Giants, adding depth to their secondary late in the season. The move represented another opportunity to compete for playing time on an active roster.
His tenure with the Giants was brief, but the experience provided him with exposure to another defensive scheme and a different locker room environment as he worked to extend his professional career.
Detroit Lions Era (2025)
Wilson signed with the Detroit Lions on June 2, 2025, joining a Lions organization that had reached recent championship heights. The team waived him with an injury designation on June 4, 2025, before reverting him to injured reserve on June 5 after he cleared waivers. On July 16, 2025, Wilson was waived with an injury settlement, concluding his time in Detroit.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Wilson’s young career came on November 26, 2023, when he made his NFL debut with the Arizona Cardinals and recorded his first career solo tackle. Being elevated from the practice squad for that game marked his first official appearance in a regular-season contest. His second-team All-AAC selection in 2021 also stands as a notable college milestone, recognizing his playmaking ability in the defensive backfield.
Divaad Wilson Career Stats
Through the 2024 NFL season, Divaad Wilson has recorded 10 total tackles and 1 pass deflection in his limited regular-season action. Much of his early professional work has come on practice squads, where he has continued to develop as a cornerback while waiting for opportunities to contribute on gameday rosters.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Wilson’s first NFL statistics came during his debut with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, where he registered a solo tackle against the Los Angeles Rams. He has remained a practice squad contributor for much of his career, bouncing between practice squads and active rosters with the Jaguars, Cardinals, Giants, and Lions.
Divaad Wilson Family
Personal Life
Wilson goes by the nickname “Newt” and has built his professional life around football, with his social media presence tied to the sport. Public details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been widely reported, and he has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
Wilson entered 2025 looking to secure a roster spot with the Detroit Lions, who signed him on June 2, 2025. The signing gave him a chance to compete in a top defensive environment, but an injury led to his placement on injured reserve and later an injury settlement in July 2025.
As of mid-2025, Wilson is a free agent following his departure from Detroit. His next opportunity will likely come through a tryout or practice squad invitation, as he works to return to full health and resume his professional career.