Trevor Nowaske Bio
Trevor Nowaske (born November 7, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 237 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and wears jersey number 53. After going undrafted out of Saginaw Valley State University, Nowaske signed with the Detroit Lions in 2023 and has built his early career as a special teams contributor and reserve defender.
Through perseverance and steady development, Nowaske has turned an undrafted rookie contract into a multi-year role within the Detroit organization. His career path has included brief stints on practice squads and waiver moves, all of which helped shape the linebacker he is today. He remains active in the league and continues to be a part of the Detroit Lions depth chart.
Early Life and Background
Trevor Nowaske was born on November 7, 1998, in Canton, Michigan, United States. He grew up in the Canton area and attended Salem High School in Canton, where he first developed his interest in football. The community around Canton and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park has a long history of producing competitive high school football programs, giving local athletes a strong foundation before stepping into college athletics.
At Salem High School, Nowaske played linebacker and contributed on multiple units, gaining the kind of physical and mental preparation that comes with competing in the Michigan high school football scene. After completing his high school career, he chose to continue his football journey close to home by attending Saginaw Valley State University, a Division II program known for its competitive Cardinals football team.
Path to American Football
Nowaske joined the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals football program in 2017 and remained with the team through the 2022 season. As a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, the program gave him consistent game reps and the chance to develop his reading of the game at the linebacker position. Coaches at Saginaw Valley State worked with him on tackling technique, pass coverage, and the kind of sideline-to-sideline movement expected of modern NFL linebackers.
Across his college career, Nowaske became a dependable defensive presence and a candidate for professional opportunities. His size, athleticism, and special teams value made him an attractive undrafted free agent target for NFL teams. His decision to declare for the 2023 NFL draft process, even without a high selection, eventually opened the door to a professional career.
Trevor Nowaske Career
Early Career (2023)
Trevor Nowaske signed with the Detroit Lions on May 12, 2023, agreeing to a three-year contract worth approximately $2.695 million as an undrafted free agent. The agreement reflected the Lions’ belief in his upside and the depth he could provide at linebacker and on special teams. Nowaske spent the early portion of the 2023 preseason with the team before a roster move reshaped his rookie season.
On August 29, 2023, the Detroit Lions waived Nowaske, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the same day. He continued to develop with the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 2, 2023. Later that December, on December 28, 2023, the Lions waived him again, leading to his first career move to another organization.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–2024)
On December 29, 2023, the Arizona Cardinals claimed Nowaske off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new defensive system. The Cardinals added him as depth at linebacker and a contributor on special teams units. His time in Arizona offered valuable regular-season experience and a different coaching perspective on the linebacker position.
The Cardinals waived Nowaske on August 27, 2024, as part of their roster trimming ahead of the regular season. Although his tenure in Arizona was brief, the experience allowed him to add another chapter to his professional resume and return to the team that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
The Detroit Lions claimed Nowaske off waivers on August 28, 2024, welcoming him back to the organization that first gave him an NFL opportunity. He re-joined the active roster and quickly earned defensive snaps and a steady role on special teams. One of the defining early moments of his second Lions stint came on October 27, 2024, against the Tennessee Titans, when he recorded his first career interception off quarterback Mason Rudolph.
In March 2025, Nowaske re-signed with the Detroit Lions, continuing his role within the team’s linebacker group and special teams units. His familiarity with the Lions’ defensive scheme, combined with his work ethic and physical profile, made him a reliable reserve option heading into the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nowaske brings a physical, downhill style to the linebacker position, using his 6-foot-3 frame and 237-pound build to take on blockers and finish tackles. He has shown the ability to read plays quickly, contribute in pass coverage, and provide value on special teams coverage units. His interception against the Tennessee Titans highlighted his ball skills and awareness in zone coverage, while his overall production reflects a player who embraces a team-first role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments of Trevor Nowaske’s career so far is his first career interception, recorded against the Tennessee Titans on October 27, 2024. He also reached an early-career milestone by signing his initial three-year, $2.695 million contract with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Surviving multiple rounds of roster moves across two organizations remains another defining feature of his young professional journey.
Trevor Nowaske Career Wins
Trevor Nowaske’s professional resume to this point centers on durability, special teams value, and steady growth rather than a long list of individual honors. His path through the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals organizations reflects a player who has consistently earned roster spots through work and reliability. The following sections summarize his key on-field achievements and performances to date.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the early stages of his NFL career, Nowaske has recorded his first career interception against the Tennessee Titans and contributed as a rotational linebacker and special teams player. He has also been a part of multiple Detroit Lions roster moves, beginning with his original undrafted free agent signing in 2023 and continuing through his return to the team in 2024. His first career interception off Mason Rudolph stands as a signature play of his early professional tenure.
Other Wins and Performances
Nowaske played college football for the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals from 2017 through 2022, where he developed into a draft-worthy linebacker prospect. His time at Saginaw Valley State laid the groundwork for his transition to the NFL and helped him earn an undrafted free agent opportunity with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Trevor Nowaske Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Trevor Nowaske was raised in Canton, Michigan, and attended Salem High School in Canton, where he first developed as a football player. Publicly available information about his immediate family, including parents and siblings, has not been widely documented, so this section is limited to what can be confirmed from verified sources.
Personal Life
Nowaske is an American professional football linebacker who continues to focus on his NFL career with the Detroit Lions. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates and off-field interests. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed and are therefore not included here.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Trevor Nowaske is positioned as a depth linebacker and core special teams player for the Detroit Lions. His re-signing with the Lions in March 2025 gave him continuity within the team’s defensive scheme and a clearer role heading into the new year. With the Lions competing in a competitive NFC North, his experience and versatility are expected to be valuable assets on game day.
Nowaske’s statistical production so far includes 46 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception, numbers that reflect his all-around contribution on defense and special teams. Building on his first career interception against the Tennessee Titans, he will look to add more impact plays as the 2025 season progresses. His familiarity with the Lions’ defensive system should help him transition smoothly into an expanded role if called upon.
With the Detroit Lions aiming to remain a contender in the NFC, Nowaske’s blend of size, experience, and special teams value gives him a clear path to continued opportunities. As the season unfolds, his contributions in key defensive situations and on coverage units will be closely watched by the Lions coaching staff and fan base alike.
