Nate Meadors Bio
Nathan Malik Meadors, known professionally as Nate Meadors, is an American professional football safety. Born on February 13, 1997, in San Bernardino, California, he currently plays in the United Football League (UFL). Meadors developed into a reliable defensive back at UCLA before beginning a journeyman professional career that has taken him across multiple National Football League (NFL) teams and into the spring football ranks. He most recently joined the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL for the 2025 season.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 195 pounds, Meadors has built his reputation on versatility, football intelligence, and a willingness to compete for a roster spot. After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, he carved out a long professional path through practice squads, short stints on active rosters, and spring league opportunities. His career reflects the modern reality for undrafted defensive backs, who often move between teams while contributing on special teams and in reserve roles.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Malik Meadors was born and raised in San Bernardino, California, a city in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Growing up in this community gave him early exposure to a strong local football culture, where high school programs often produce collegiate talent. Meadors attended San Gorgonio High School, a school with a proud athletic tradition, and quickly stood out as a multi-sport athlete.
As a senior at San Gorgonio, Meadors served as the Spartans’ starting quarterback, an unusual position for a future NFL defensive back. He was named All-CIF Inland Division after passing for 1,481 yards and 22 touchdowns with four interceptions, while also rushing for 1,971 yards and 26 touchdowns. That dual-threat experience at quarterback helped shape his understanding of offensive schemes, route concepts, and pre-snap reads, skills that would later translate to his work as a safety.
Path to American Football
Meadors’ path to professional football began with his commitment to the UCLA Bruins, where he transitioned from quarterback to the defensive side of the ball. Playing four seasons in the Pac-12 Conference, he developed into a steady contributor in the secondary and earned a reputation for his coverage skills and tackling reliability. His college experience at a major program prepared him for the speed and complexity of the professional game.
At UCLA, Meadors played in 42 games with 30 starts and finished his collegiate career with 149 tackles, 22 passes broken up, and three interceptions. During his junior season, he led the Bruins with nine passes broken up and added 55 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. As a senior, he recorded 37 tackles, three passes defended, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception in 10 games. These numbers underscored his consistency and his value as a starting-caliber safety in a top conference.
Nate Meadors Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Nathan Malik Meadors signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019, but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. Meadors was promoted to the active roster on September 12, 2019, and made his NFL debut on September 15, 2019, in a 21-16 loss against the Green Bay Packers.
His first year in the league was marked by repeated movement between the active roster and the practice squad. Meadors was waived on September 28, 2019, and re-signed to the practice squad, then promoted again to the active roster on January 10, 2020. He was waived during final cuts in September 2020, signed to the practice squad, and released on September 28, 2020. These early experiences gave him a thorough understanding of the day-to-day demands of an NFL reserve.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-2021)
On October 19, 2020, Meadors was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on December 5, 2020, for the team’s week 13 game against the Minnesota Vikings, giving him a chance to face his original team. After the game, he reverted to the practice squad, and on January 4, 2021, he signed a reserve/future contract. He was waived on May 4, 2021, ending his first tenure in Jacksonville.
Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
On May 14, 2021, Meadors signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in search of a fresh opportunity. He was waived and placed on injured reserve on August 4, 2021, and was released on August 13, 2021. Although his time in Philadelphia was brief, the stint reflected his continued effort to earn a regular roster spot at the highest level of professional football.
Cleveland Browns and New York Giants (2021-2022)
Meadors was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on November 9, 2021, and signed a reserve/futures contract on January 10, 2022. He was waived on August 3, 2022, and claimed off waivers by the New York Giants on August 4, 2022. He was waived by the Giants on August 30, 2022, signed to the practice squad the next day, and released on September 1, 2022.
Tennessee Titans (2023)
Meadors signed with the Tennessee Titans on their practice squad on January 2, 2023, continuing his pattern of joining teams late in the offseason to compete for roles.
St. Louis Battlehawks (2023)
The St. Louis Battlehawks selected Meadors in the fourth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023. He was released from his contract on August 12, 2023, after contributing to the spring football league’s defensive backfield during a transitional period for the XFL.
Browns and Steelers (2023-2024)
On August 13, 2023, Meadors was signed by the Cleveland Browns for a second stint, only to be released on August 27, 2023. He later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on December 27, 2023, was released on January 9, 2024, then signed a reserve/future contract on February 2, 2024. He was waived and injured on August 8, 2024, and released on August 19, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks and Orlando Storm (2024-2025)
On December 9, 2024, Meadors re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, returning to the spring league after his NFL opportunities had concluded. He has been listed as a safety wearing jersey number 22. He currently plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL as the 2025 season progresses.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Meadors’ career came on September 15, 2019, when he made his NFL debut with the Minnesota Vikings against the Green Bay Packers, a marquee division rivalry. His transition from starting high school quarterback to professional safety remains a notable part of his personal story, illustrating his athletic adaptability. Sustaining a professional career for several seasons as an undrafted player is, in itself, a significant milestone.
Nate Meadors Career Wins
Nathan Malik Meadors’ professional journey is defined less by headline statistics and more by persistence. As a reserve defensive back, his contributions have been measured in special teams play, scout-team work, and brief stints on active rosters rather than headline-making win totals.
NFL Highlights
Meadors recorded two total tackles during his NFL career, with statistics tracked through the 2023 season. While his on-field numbers were modest, his ability to remain on practice squads across the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers speaks to his value as a reliable depth player.
Other Wins & Performances
In the UFL, Meadors has taken on a more prominent role with the St. Louis Battlehawks, where the smaller roster sizes often give defensive backs more opportunities to see the field. His experience has positioned him as a veteran presence in the UFL secondary.
Nate Meadors Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Nathan Malik Meadors’ family background is limited, and details about his parents and siblings have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Meadors has kept his personal life largely private. He was born in San Bernardino, California, and pursued his football career from high school through college and into the professional ranks. Information about a spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Nathan Malik Meadors entered the 2025 season with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, a continuation of his work in the spring football ranks. The 2025 UFL campaign has given him a consistent opportunity to play in the secondary, an opportunity that has been less frequent during his NFL stints. As a veteran safety, he provides experience and leadership to a Battlehawks defensive backfield that values players familiar with multiple defensive schemes.
Throughout the 2025 season, Meadors has contributed in coverage and on special teams, helping the Battlehawks compete in the UFL standings. His route-reading skills, first developed as a high school quarterback, continue to be an asset against modern spread offenses. The familiarity of the St. Louis system, having played there in 2023, has also allowed him to settle in quickly.
Looking ahead, Meadors’ outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season will depend on his health and the Battlehawks’ defensive performance. Given his track record of resilience, he is positioned to remain a contributor in the secondary and to continue building on a professional career that has already spanned multiple leagues and teams.
