Tre Swilling Bio
Tre Swilling is an American professional football cornerback born on March 26, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 196 pounds, he plays a physical, press-style brand of coverage in the secondary. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent and has bounced between practice squads and active rosters across the league while continuing to chase a long-term role.
Swilling played his college football at the Georgia Institute of Technology, known athletically as Georgia Tech, where he developed into a reliable defensive back. He is the son of Pat Swilling, a College Football Hall of Fame linebacker best known for his time with the New Orleans Saints, giving Tre a direct connection to NFL pedigree. His journeyman path through the NFL reflects both the difficulty of the league and the persistence required to stay in it.
Early Life and Background
Tre Swilling was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up immersed in the city’s deep football culture. He attended Brother Martin High School, a well-known Catholic preparatory school in New Orleans with a strong athletic tradition. While in high school, he developed into a college-caliber cornerback, drawing attention from several major programs around the country.
Coming out of Brother Martin, Swilling was a notable recruit with scholarship offers from top-tier schools. He chose to commit to Georgia Tech over programs such as Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and Michigan. His decision to play for the Yellow Jackets allowed him to step into a starting role early while carrying on a football family legacy established by his father.
Path to American Football
Swilling’s path to professional football began in earnest at Brother Martin, where his size and cover skills drew the attention of major college recruiters. Selecting Georgia Tech gave him the chance to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of college football’s premier conferences. He joined the Yellow Jackets in 2017 and worked his way into the secondary rotation during his early seasons.
By his sophomore season, Swilling had earned a starting role and was producing against high-level competition. The combination of physical traits, family football experience, and conference-level production positioned him for an NFL opportunity, even as his draft stock did not rise to a selected position.
Tre Swilling Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Swilling played five seasons for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets between 2017 and 2021, appearing at cornerback and contributing on special teams. As a sophomore in 2018, he recorded his first career interception in a win over North Carolina and finished the year with 24 tackles, a sack, six pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.
He continued to produce in 2019, intercepting a pass off Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and returning it 41 yards, a performance that helped him earn All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition. Over his college career, Swilling tallied 101 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 21 pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2022)
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Swilling signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022. His time with the Titans was brief, as he was waived on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts. Although his stint was short, the signing marked his official entry into the NFL.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022)
On September 12, 2022, Swilling was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad, returning to his hometown team’s system. He was released on October 4, 2022, after less than a month with the organization. The short stay nonetheless reflected the Saints’ interest in his developmental upside.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–2023)
Swilling joined the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on December 20, 2022, and was released a week later. He returned to the 49ers on February 6, 2023, signing a reserve/future contract, and was waived during 2023 training camp before being re-signed to the practice squad. On September 16, 2023, he was elevated to the active roster after cornerback Samuel Womack was placed on injured reserve, and he appeared in two games on special teams before being waived on September 21, 2023. As of 2023, he had played two NFL games.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2023–2024)
On October 3, 2023, Swilling was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, continuing his tour of the league. He signed a reserve/future contract with Baltimore on January 29, 2024, securing a longer commitment from the organization. He was waived on July 22, 2024, closing out his time with the Ravens.
New York Jets Era (2024–2025)
Swilling was signed by the New York Jets on August 2, 2024, waived on August 27, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was active for one game, playing on special teams in the Jets’ 30-20 win over the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season finale. After the season, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025, before being waived on June 12, 2025.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025)
On July 23, 2025, Swilling signed with the Carolina Panthers, looking to lock in a roster spot heading into training camp. He was waived on August 25, 2025, continuing his journeyman path. He remains active and available for future opportunities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Swilling plays a physical, aggressive style of cornerback with the size to match up against bigger receivers on the outside. He shows the footwork and length to play press coverage, while his experience on special teams adds value in the kicking game. His All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition in 2019 underscores the technique and football IQ he brings to the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Swilling’s signature moments was his 2019 interception of Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, a 41-yard return that announced his playmaking potential. Reaching two NFL games played with the 49ers in 2023 stood as a career milestone, and his frequent movement between practice squads and active rosters has showcased his durability and perseverance.
Tre Swilling Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tre Swilling is the son of Pat Swilling, a standout linebacker who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Pat Swilling enjoyed a long professional career, including a memorable tenure with the New Orleans Saints, the team where Pat built his legacy. Tre’s decision to pursue football was shaped by this rich family background, and he has often spoken about following in his father’s footsteps.
Personal Life
Tre grew up in New Orleans and continues to be tied to the city through family. He attended Brother Martin High School, a Catholic school known for developing local talent. Beyond his family connection and his career pursuits, Swilling keeps much of his personal life private.
2025 Season Performance
Tre Swilling’s 2025 began with a reserve/future contract he had signed with the New York Jets in January, signaling the franchise’s continued belief in his upside. He was waived by the Jets on June 12, 2025, opening the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere. His next chapter came quickly when he signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 23, 2025, where he looked to compete for a roster spot in training camp.
Swilling was waived by the Panthers on August 25, 2025, ending his 2025 preseason run with the team. As of late 2025, he remains an experienced defensive back with multiple practice-squad seasons, a 49ers stint that included two regular-season games on special teams, and a Jets appearance in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins. With his contract history pointing toward another opportunity, he continues to pursue a stable role in the league.