Greg Newsome II Bio
Gregory Newsome II, born on May 18, 2000, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He is recognized for his coverage skills, physical play, and ability to line up against top wide receivers, having built a reputation as a first-round NFL draft pick and a multi-year starter.
Newsome currently plays for the New York Giants of the NFL, where he signed a one-year contract in March 2026. Over the course of his professional career, he has also suited up for the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars, gaining experience across multiple defensive schemes and contributing as both a starter and a rotational player.
Early Life and Background
Gregory Newsome II was born and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, where he first developed his passion for football. Growing up in a region with a strong football culture, he spent his early years sharpening his athletic skills and preparing for a competitive high school career.
Newsome attended Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois, where he began to attract attention as a promising defensive back. To further refine his game and gain national exposure, he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year, training alongside some of the top high school prospects in the country.
Following his prep career, Newsome committed to Northwestern University to play college football, choosing a Big Ten program where he could develop his technique and compete at a high level. His journey from Chicago to IMG Academy and then to a major conference program reflected a steady, step-by-step approach to reaching the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
At Northwestern, Newsome transitioned into a full-time role in the Wildcats’ secondary and steadily built a reputation as a reliable cornerback. Over three college seasons, he recorded 71 tackles and one interception, started 18 games, and helped lead Northwestern to two Big Ten title games, gaining valuable experience against top-tier competition.
His junior season in 2020 proved to be his most impactful, as he earned Second-team All-American honors from The Athletic and was named First-team All-Big Ten. Those performances elevated his draft stock and positioned him as one of the top cornerback prospects in the country entering the 2021 NFL draft.
Leading into the draft, several prominent analysts ranked Newsome among the elite defensive back prospects. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the third-best cornerback in the class, while other evaluators such as Dane Brugler, Mel Kiper Jr., and Daniel Jeremiah placed him fourth. The majority of projections pointed to him being selected in the late first round or early second round.
Greg Newsome II Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
The Cleveland Browns selected Greg Newsome II in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, making him one of two Northwestern players taken in the first round that year. Shortly after the draft, on July 24, 2021, he signed a four-year, $12.74 million fully guaranteed contract that included a $6.63 million signing bonus, signaling the team’s long-term commitment to him.
During his rookie season, Newsome started 11 of the 12 games he played, finishing with 37 combined tackles and nine pass deflections while missing time due to a calf injury and a concussion. His strong debut campaign earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and Pro Football Focus credited him with a 70.6 coverage grade for the year.
Cleveland Browns Era (2021-2025)
Across multiple seasons with the Browns, Newsome served as a starting cornerback alongside Denzel Ward under head coach Kevin Stefanski. In 2022, he played 15 games with 15 starts, recording 42 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and half a sack, while improving his Pro Football Focus coverage grade to 72.3.
Newsome’s 2023 season was his most productive, highlighted by a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens and a key interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the year with 49 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 14 games, earning a 75.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and helping the Browns reach the AFC Wildcard Game.
In 2024, the Browns exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, worth $13.37 million, but Newsome was later moved to a third-cornerback role behind Martin Emerson. A hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve in December, and he finished the year with 27 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception in 13 games.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025)
On October 9, 2025, Newsome was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a deal that sent Tyson Campbell and draft compensation to the Cleveland Browns. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new defensive environment and allowed him to showcase his skills as a starter down the stretch of the 2025 season.
New York Giants Era (2026-Present)
On March 13, 2026, Newsome signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the New York Giants, joining a defense looking to strengthen its secondary. His arrival in New York marked the next chapter of his professional career, bringing experienced coverage ability to the Giants’ cornerback room.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Newsome is recognized for his size, length, and speed at the cornerback position, allowing him to match up with larger wide receivers on the outside. He has shown the versatility to play both press coverage and off-man techniques, and his football intelligence has been praised by coaches and analysts alike for his ability to read routes and make plays on the ball.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments, Newsome recorded his first career interception return touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, a play that helped seal a comeback win. He also earned First-team All-Big Ten and Second-team All-American honors in 2020, and was part of Northwestern teams that reached two Big Ten Championship Games.
Greg Newsome II Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Greg Newsome II has accumulated 207 total tackles, 43 pass deflections, four interceptions, one sack, and one defensive touchdown in his NFL career. His production has spanned multiple defensive schemes, demonstrating consistency as a coverage cornerback and contributor in the run game.
Defensive Highlights
Newsome’s statistical peak came during the 2023 season, when he posted 49 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, and two interceptions, including his first career touchdown. His 2021 rookie campaign also stood out, with 37 tackles and nine pass deflections earning him PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition.
Other Performances
In addition to his on-field production, Newsome has contributed in special teams packages and as a rotational defender throughout his career. His college resume at Northwestern, including leading the Wildcats to two Big Ten title games, further reinforces his reputation as a big-stage performer.
Greg Newsome II Family
Family Background and Lineage
Gregory Newsome II grew up in the Chicago area, where he developed his early interest in football. Limited public information is available regarding his immediate family, including his parents and any relatives who may have played the sport.
Personal Life
Newsome has kept much of his personal life private, with no widely reported details on his marital status or children. His career moves, including trades and free-agent signings, have kept him in the public eye, but he tends to focus public attention on his performance on the field.
2025 Season Performance
Newsome began the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 9, 2025, in a deal involving Tyson Campbell. The trade provided him with a new opportunity to compete for a starting role in Jacksonville’s secondary and contributed to his career totals of 207 tackles, 43 pass deflections, and four interceptions through the year.
Heading into 2025, Newsome was coming off a 2024 campaign that saw him post a 52.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 177th among qualifying cornerbacks, a dip from his 2023 form. His midseason trade offered a chance to reset his trajectory in a new defensive system and prove his value as a long-term coverage player.
Looking ahead, Newsome’s outlook centers on his free-agent market value and potential landing spots for the next league year, with the trade serving as a key inflection point in his career. His combination of size, experience, and prior production makes him an intriguing option for teams in need of cornerback help.
