It has been a great few weeks for former Hawkeyes on the outside looking in at a 53-man roster spot.
After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, former Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski's strange journey finally led him to Houston, where he first joined the practice squad before the organization added him to the active roster. Gronowski suited up for his first official NFL game last week against the Carolina Panthers as the Texans earned their first win of the season. Gronowski isn't the only former Hawkeye recently added to an active roster after a key former member of Iowa's defense was also given a chance
Jacksonville added S Kaevon Merriweather to the active roster
Kirk Ferentz's Iowa program has been an NFL factory, and players tend to succeed at the highest level. Ferentz has sent more than 100 players to the NFL, with the number growing every year. Even if former Hawkeyes go undrafted, they aren't free agents for long. Former Hawkeye safety Kaevon Merriweather had a similar path to the NFL and a successful tenure in Tampa Bay after going undrafted in 2023. After spending the past season on the Houston Texans practice squad, Jacksonville scooped him up before the season started and is now adding him to the active roster.
The #Jaguars are signing safety and special teamer Kaevon Merriweather to their 53-man roster from their practice squad, source says. pic.twitter.com/0WQFKeh3Fr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2026
Before going undrafted in 2023, Merriweather was a key part of Iowa's secondary. In five seasons with the Hawkeyes (2018-2022), Merriweather tallied 118 total tackles, nine passes defended, and four interceptions. He started his career in Tampa Bay and was a productive reserve and special teamer. In three seasons with the Buccaneers, Merriweather tallied 46 total tackles and two passes defended, primarily playing on special teams. The Bucs waived him in 2025, and he spent most of the season on the Houston Texans' practice squad.
Before the 2026-2027 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him to the practice squad before recently adding him to the 53-man roster. Injuries in the Jaguars' secondary have been piling up, especially at safety, and Merriweather was signed as insurance. In his debut for the Jaguars against the Eagles in week five, Merriweather played in 34 percent of the defensive snaps and 44 percent of the special teams snaps, proving his versatility.
Jacksonville has a solid safety group, but injuries have taken a massive toll early in the season. Merriweather provides the organization with some much-needed depth at the position until they get healthy and can be an ace on special teams when other players return to the lineup. This is a great opportunity for Merriweather to earn another chance in the NFL, and Hawkeye fans are happy to see him back and playing on Sundays.
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