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). Standing 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and weighing about 212 lb (96 kg), he wears jersey No. 21 for the Texans and is listed on the active roster.
A native of Belleville, Michigan, Merriweather played college football at the University of Iowa and entered the NFL in 2023 as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then he has spent time with the Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions, and the Houston Texans, working his way up from the practice squad to a reserve/futures contract in Houston.
Early Life and Background
Kaevon Merriweather was born on December 20, 1999, in Belleville, Michigan, in the United States. He grew up in the Detroit metropolitan area, where football and basketball are central to the local sports culture.
He attended Romulus Senior High School in Romulus, Michigan, before transferring to Belleville High School for his senior year. At Belleville, he was a multi-sport athlete who starred in basketball and drew several college offers to play the sport.
Even with those basketball opportunities in hand, Merriweather chose to focus on football, a decision that ultimately shaped his future in the sport. His size, range, and coverage instincts caught the attention of college recruiters around the Midwest.
Path to American Football
Merriweather committed to the University of Iowa to play college football after being recruited by longtime Iowa defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Phil Parker. Parker, known for producing NFL-ready defensive backs, played a key role in bringing Merriweather to the Hawkeyes.
At Iowa, he joined one of the most respected defensive programs in the Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes’ emphasis on fundamentals, tackling, and zone coverage gave Merriweather a strong technical foundation before he turned professional.
His development under Parker’s staff helped position him for a future in the NFL, even though he ultimately entered the league as an undrafted free agent rather than through the draft.
Kaevon Merriweather Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Merriweather enrolled at Iowa in 2018 and appeared in nine games as a true freshman. He redshirted the 2019 season after playing in two games, preserving a year of eligibility while continuing to develop within the Hawkeyes’ defensive system.
In 2020, he returned to action and started five of nine games, recording 23 tackles. The shortened schedule provided valuable starting experience and helped him grow into a more reliable contributor in the secondary.
Iowa Hawkeyes Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Merriweather started seven of 14 games for Iowa, finishing the season with 42 tackles and an interception as part of a nationally elite defense. The Hawkeyes were widely recognized that year for their secondary play, and Merriweather was a regular contributor in that group.
He returned to Iowa as a starter in 2022, anchoring the back end of the defense for another strong season. His senior-year performance earned him first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports, marking one of the highest individual accolades of his college career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2023–2024)
Following the 2023 NFL draft, Merriweather signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. On August 29 of that year, the Buccaneers announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster, securing his first regular-season job in the NFL.
Across his first stint in Tampa Bay, he appeared in games and contributed on special teams and in the secondary. On November 18, 2024, however, the Buccaneers waived him, opening the next chapter of his professional journey.
Detroit Lions and Return to Tampa Bay (2024–2025)
Just two days after being waived by Tampa Bay, Merriweather signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on November 20, 2024. The short stay in Detroit kept him on an NFL roster while he waited for another opportunity.
On December 3, 2024, the Buccaneers signed him back off the Lions’ practice squad, beginning his second stint in Tampa Bay. In 14 total appearances with five starts for the Buccaneers, he compiled one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 17 combined tackles. He later played in 12 games for Tampa Bay in 2025, recording eight combined tackles, before being waived on December 17, 2025.
Houston Texans Era (2025–Present)
On December 23, 2025, Merriweather signed with the practice squad of the Houston Texans. Less than a month later, on January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with Houston, locking in his place on the Texans beyond the 2025 season.
The move to Houston gives Merriweather a fresh start in a new defensive environment. With his special teams value and experience in coverage, he is positioned to compete for a role on the active roster heading into the new league year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Merriweather is a 6 ft 0 in, 212 lb safety whose game is built on coverage awareness, tackling reliability, and special teams toughness. At Iowa, he learned to play within a disciplined zone scheme, which translates well to NFL looks that ask safeties to read the quarterback and break on the ball. His willingness to contribute on special teams, combined with the physicality he showed at the college level, has been central to keeping him on NFL rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Merriweather’s career include making Tampa Bay’s initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023, earning first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports in 2022, and signing a reserve/futures contract with the Houston Texans in January 2026. His first NFL sack, fumble recovery, and pass deflection all came during his second stint with the Buccaneers.
Kaevon Merriweather Career Wins
As a defensive back, Kaevon Merriweather’s production is measured in tackles, interceptions, and coverage plays rather than race wins or event victories. Through the 2024 season, he had recorded 38 total tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections in his NFL career.
Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights
Merriweather’s most decorated season came in 2021, when he posted 42 tackles and an interception as a starter on one of the country’s top defenses. In 2022, he earned first-team All-American recognition from CBS Sports, capping his college career with national-level recognition.
Earlier, he had started five games in the 2020 season and recorded 23 tackles, showing steady growth across his Iowa career.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NFL, Merriweather has built his resume through steady special teams work and spot defensive snaps, including a stint on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster in 2023 and 2024. His reserve/futures deal with Houston marks the latest chapter as he looks to expand his role in the secondary.
Kaevon Merriweather Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kaevon Merriweather’s parents and family background is limited. What is confirmed is that he was raised in the Belleville, Michigan, area and attended local high schools before heading to the University of Iowa.
Personal Life
Merriweather is based in the United States and focuses much of his time on his professional football career. There is no publicly confirmed information about a spouse, partner, or children at this stage of his career.
2025 Season Performance
Kaevon Merriweather spent the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appearing in 12 games and recording eight combined tackles while serving primarily as a depth safety and special teams contributor. His role fluctuated as Tampa Bay sorted through its secondary rotations throughout the year.
On December 17, 2025, the Buccaneers waived him, ending his second stint with the team. Six days later, on December 23, 2025, Merriweather signed with the Houston Texans’ practice squad, giving him a late-season opportunity in a new organization.
Looking ahead, Merriweather signed a reserve/futures contract with Houston on January 20, 2026, securing his place with the Texans beyond the 2025 campaign. The deal gives him a clear path to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster and a larger defensive role in the upcoming season.