Swayze Bozeman Bio
Swayze Bozeman (born November 2, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). A native of Flora, Mississippi, he most recently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals after spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants. Standing 6 ft 1 in and listed at 224 lb, Bozeman is known for his tackling ability, positional flexibility, and journey from a small private school to the highest level of professional football.
After beginning his college career at the junior college level, Bozeman emerged as one of the most productive linebackers in his conference before transferring to Southern Miss. He entered the NFL in 2024 as an undrafted free agent and has since built a career through practice squads, elevations, and short stints on active rosters across multiple franchises.
Early Life and Background
Swayze Bozeman was born on November 2, 1998, in Flora, Mississippi, a small community located in the central part of the state. He grew up in a region where high school football is deeply embedded in the local culture, and he attended Tri-County Academy, a private school in Flora that competes in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS).
At Tri-County Academy, Bozeman was a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, he lined up on both sides of the ball, playing in the defensive secondary and at running back. He helped lead his team to two MAIS AA state championship appearances during his prep career, gaining valuable experience as both a tackler and a ball carrier.
Bozeman graduated from Tri-County in 2017 and decided to continue his football career at the junior college level. He joined the Copiah–Lincoln Wolves, a community college program in Wesson, Mississippi, marking the beginning of his development into a full-time defensive player.
Path to American Football
Bozeman’s path to professional American football began at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, where he transitioned from a versatile high school athlete into a dedicated defensive player. He played safety during his freshman year in 2017 before making a full-time move to linebacker as a sophomore in 2018.
The position change paid off quickly. In 2018, Bozeman led the Wolves in tackles with 91 on the season, earning All-Region honors and a first-team All-Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) selection. Across his two seasons at Copiah–Lincoln, he appeared in 19 games and totaled 133 tackles, drawing the attention of NCAA Division I programs.
Following his standout junior college career, Bozeman signed with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, becoming the first NCAA Division I football player from Tri-County Academy since 2002. He went on to spend five seasons in Hattiesburg, developing into a reliable contributor on defense and finishing his senior year as one of the team’s experienced linebackers.
Swayze Bozeman Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Bozeman’s organized football career began in earnest at Copiah–Lincoln in 2017. After a freshman year spent largely at safety, he shifted to linebacker full-time in 2018, where he thrived in run support and pass coverage. His 91-tackle sophomore season established him as one of the top junior college defenders in Mississippi.
His success at Copiah–Lincoln earned him a scholarship opportunity at Southern Miss, where he joined the Golden Eagles in 2019. In his first year at the FBS level, he played in all 13 games and started eight, recording 57 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks. The strong debut signaled that Bozeman was ready to contribute immediately at the Division I level.
Southern Miss Tenure (2019–2023)
Over five seasons with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Bozeman became a steady presence at linebacker. In 2019, his all-purpose production earned him a regular role in the starting lineup. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him start all six contests and post 42 tackles.
Injuries shaped the middle portion of his college career. In 2021, he played in four games before taking a redshirt year, finishing that stretch with 20 tackles. He appeared in three games in 2022, missing additional time due to injury, but made 13 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown. In his final season, 2023, Bozeman played six games and recorded 36 tackles.
When his college career ended, Bozeman had appeared in 32 games for Southern Miss, amassing 168 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks. He left the program as a respected veteran who had overcome multiple injuries to remain productive.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Swayze Bozeman signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He had impressed scouts at his pro day, posting marks in the bench press, broad jump, shuttle run, and three-cone drill that would have ranked first among linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bozeman was waived by the Chiefs on August 27, 2024, but re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He spent most of his rookie season developing on the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he made his NFL debut.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On February 14, 2025, Bozeman signed with the Chicago Bears in search of a longer-term opportunity. He participated in the team’s offseason program and competed for a roster spot, but was ultimately waived on August 24 as the Bears trimmed their roster ahead of the regular season.
New York Giants Era (2025–2026)
Just days after his release from Chicago, Bozeman was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad on August 28, 2025. He was promoted to the active roster on September 16 and went on to appear in four games for New York, recording three tackles before being waived on October 25.
The Giants re-signed him to the practice squad three days later, and on January 5, 2026, the team signed him to a reserve/future contract, keeping him in the organization through the offseason. He was released by New York on May 7, 2026.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2026–Present)
On May 8, 2026, Swayze Bozeman was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals, joining the team as a linebacker on their active roster. The move provided Bozeman with another opportunity to compete for a defensive role entering the new season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best characterized as a tackling linebacker, Bozeman has demonstrated versatility throughout his career. At Copiah–Lincoln, he proved effective both at safety and at the second level of the defense, while at Southern Miss he logged tackles-for-loss and sacks as a blitzer. His pro day testing ranked at the top of his position group, suggesting strong athletic traits for the linebacker position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bozeman’s most notable milestones include becoming the first NCAA Division I football player from Tri-County Academy since 2002 and making his NFL debut with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. His journey from a small private high school through junior college, an FBS program, and four NFL franchises underscores the perseverance that has defined his professional career.
Swayze Bozeman Career Wins
Swayze Bozeman’s career has been defined more by persistence and opportunity than by headline statistics. As a linebacker whose role is built on tackles, special teams contributions, and roster availability, his wins are measured in career moments: an NFL debut with the Chiefs, a multi-game stint on the active roster with the Giants, and a continued place on a Cincinnati Bengals roster that values his experience.
College Highlights
At Copiah–Lincoln, Bozeman earned All-Region and first-team All-MACJC recognition in 2018 after a 91-tackle season. He went on to play in 32 games for Southern Miss, finishing his college career with 168 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks. He was also a member of teams that reached two MAIS AA state championship games at the high school level.
Other Performances
In the NFL, Bozeman has recorded nine total tackles through his early career appearances, including three tackles in four games for the New York Giants in 2025. He has continued to move between practice squads and active rosters, demonstrating the type of resilience that often leads to long careers in professional football.
Swayze Bozeman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Swayze Bozeman’s immediate family is limited. What is known is that he grew up in Flora, Mississippi, and attended Tri-County Academy, the same school that produced his path to collegiate and professional football.
Personal Life
Bozeman has kept most of his personal life private, and no public details about a spouse, partner, or children have been widely reported. He maintains a public presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
Swayze Bozeman’s 2025 season was marked by movement between practice squads and active rosters across two NFL franchises. He began the year with the Chicago Bears, where he competed throughout the offseason before being waived in late August as teams finalized their regular-season rosters.
He quickly landed with the New York Giants, joining their practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in mid-September. In four games with New York, Bozeman recorded three tackles before being waived in late October. The Giants brought him back to the practice squad days later and later signed him to a reserve/future contract in early January 2026, keeping him in the organization through the offseason.
The arc of Bozeman’s 2025 season reflected the reality of life as a fringe roster linebacker, where practice-squad elevations, special teams work, and short windows on the active roster define the role. With a reserve/future deal secured in New York, his outlook for the following year centered on competing for a longer-term role on the Giants’ defense or special teams units.