Tashawn Bower Bio
Tashawn Alexander Bower (born February 18, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker. Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 250 lb, he has built a career as a journeyman defender across multiple National Football League (NFL) rosters and, more recently, in the United Football League (UFL). After playing college football at LSU, Bower entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent and has continued to compete through practice-squad promotions, short stints on active rosters, and spring-league opportunities. He currently plays for the Dallas Renegades of the UFL.
Early Life and Background
Tashawn Alexander Bower was born on February 18, 1995, in Livingston, New Jersey, and grew up in Kenilworth, New Jersey. He attended Immaculata High School in Somerville, New Jersey, where he developed as a defensive prospect and earned attention from college recruiters. His size and athletic profile made him a target for FBS programs seeking edge and outside-linebacker talent.
Coming out of high school, Bower committed to LSU, one of the premier programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He joined a Tigers defense known for producing NFL-level players, and he used his college years to refine his frame, technique, and football IQ in preparation for a professional opportunity.
Path to American Football
At LSU, Bower worked within a competitive linebacker room that pushed him to develop his pass-rushing and run-defense skills. The program’s emphasis on physicality and discipline helped shape his approach as a defensive player, and he continued to add size while maintaining the mobility required for edge work. Although he was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, his college experience at LSU kept him on professional radars.
Following the draft, Bower signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2017, beginning his climb through the NFL. Despite going undrafted, he earned a spot on the Vikings’ 53-man roster out of training camp, an early sign of his ability to compete at the highest level of professional football.
Tashawn Bower Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Bower’s professional career began with the Minnesota Vikings, where he impressed enough in the preseason to make the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. He made his NFL debut on October 29, 2017, against the Cleveland Browns, contributing on special teams. On November 19, 2017, in just his second game played, he recorded his first career sack against the Los Angeles Rams, taking down quarterback Jared Goff.
His Vikings tenure was interrupted during the 2019 offseason when he suffered a torn Achilles and was placed on the non-football injury list. He was later waived from that list on October 15, 2019, ending his first chapter in Minnesota.
New England Patriots Era (2019–2021)
On November 21, 2019, Bower was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad, beginning a multi-year association with the franchise. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on January 7, 2020, securing his place in the organization beyond that season. In 2020, he bounced between the practice squad and active roster, being elevated for games against the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills before being promoted to the active roster on November 9. A late-season injured reserve placement on December 31, 2020, interrupted his momentum.
In 2021, Bower was waived by the Patriots on August 31 and re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him within the New England system while he continued to compete for a roster opportunity.
Minnesota Vikings Return (2021)
On November 25, 2021, Bower returned to the Minnesota Vikings when the team signed him off the Patriots’ practice squad. The move reunited him with the organization where he had begun his career and gave him another chance to contribute on defense and special teams late in the season.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022)
Bower joined the Las Vegas Raiders on April 11, 2022, signing as a free agent looking to carve out a role with a new defensive scheme. His time in Las Vegas added another franchise to his growing professional résumé and exposed him to a different coaching environment.
New York Giants Era (2023)
On July 25, 2023, Bower signed with the New York Giants in an effort to compete for a roster spot. He was released on August 27, 2023, concluding his brief stint with the team during that training camp cycle.
Houston Roughnecks Era (2025)
On April 1, 2025, Bower signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League, transitioning to the spring professional circuit. The move marked a new chapter in his career and allowed him to take on a featured role with the franchise.
Dallas Renegades Era (2026–Present)
On January 26, 2026, Bower signed with the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League. The signing positioned him with his current UFL team, where he continues his professional career as an active linebacker.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bower’s game is built around his imposing 6 ft 5 in frame and length, which he uses to set edges against the run and disrupt passing lanes. His background as a pass-rusher, evidenced by his early-career sack of Jared Goff, shows an ability to pressure quarterbacks when given defensive opportunities. Throughout his journeyman career, he has also demonstrated the special-teams reliability that keeps versatile defenders employed across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Bower’s signature moments came on November 19, 2017, when he recorded his first career NFL sack against the Rams’ Jared Goff in only his second professional game. Making the Vikings’ 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2017 stands as another milestone, reflecting the impression he made during his rookie preseason. More recently, his continued presence in the UFL with the Dallas Renegades underscores his longevity in professional football.
Tashawn Bower Career Stats
Tashawn Alexander Bower has accumulated 23 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 pass deflection across his NFL career, per available league statistics. His stat line reflects a role primarily built around special teams and rotational defensive snaps rather than a full-time starting position.
NFL Statistical Highlights
Bower’s 2 career sacks both came during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, with the first being his debut-season takedown of Jared Goff. His 23 total tackles and 1 pass deflection were also recorded while contributing in limited defensive and special-teams roles across multiple franchises.
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Tashawn Bower Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Tashawn Alexander Bower’s immediate family and personal relationships is limited, and verified details about his parents, spouse, or children have not been confirmed in available sources. He is identified as an American professional linebacker whose personal narrative has centered on his football journey rather than publicized family details.
Personal Life
Bower’s personal life has largely remained outside the public spotlight, with confirmed public records focusing on his career trajectory from Livingston, New Jersey, to LSU and onward through the NFL and UFL.
2025 Season Performance
Tashawn Alexander Bower signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League on April 1, 2025, joining the franchise ahead of the spring season. The move represented his first sustained role with a spring-league team and offered him the opportunity to take on a larger defensive workload than he had seen in recent NFL practice-squad cycles.
During the 2025 UFL season, Bower contributed as an active linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks, bringing veteran experience to a roster that blended former NFL players with rising professional talent. His size, special-teams background, and prior NFL exposure positioned him as a steady presence in the linebacker group.
Following the conclusion of his time with the Roughnecks, Bower signed with the Dallas Renegades on January 26, 2026, opening the next chapter of his UFL career. His 2025 season reinforced his value as a dependable, experienced defender capable of contributing in multiple phases of the game.