Nephi Sewell

Nephi Sewell's Biography

Nephi Sewell is a professional football player of American Samoan descent born on December 19, 1998. Today, he graces the National Football League (NFL) as a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, having started his NFL journey in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. Born in American Samoa, Sewell’s journey would see his transition to the United States in 2012, paving the way for his robust football career.

During high school at Desert Hills, Utah, Sewell was already distinguishing himself in the field. Despite suffering a severe neck injury which wiped out his entire junior season, Sewell was relentless. The risk of never being able to play football again only fuelled his determination to recover in time for his senior season. It was during this season that he excelled as a running back, running for over 1,250 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns, a significant feat that played a significant role in his team clinching the state championship.

With a promise of a bright future, Sewell secured a spot at the University of Nevada in 2017 to play college football. As a rookie, he enjoyed immediate playing time, with his school recognizing him as the player of the week in his debut match, where he clocked five tackles at safety. His first season wrapped up with 58 tackles, an interception, forced and recovered fumble from 12 games, with eight starts.

Sewell’s sophomore year saw him start 11 games, concluding the year with 53 tackles, an interception, and a recovered fumble. However, after that season, he announced his intention to transfer to a new school. Despite initially settling for BYU, he settled for Utah. Under his new school’s banner, Sewell appeared in three games, racking up 14 tackles.

Change is a constant for the ever-evolving Sewell, who adjusted from safety to linebacker for the 2020 season. His change in position paid off, as he emerged second on the team with 40 tackles, starting all five of their games.

In the subsequent year, he stepped up his game. He played in 13 games, starting all but one as a linebacker. In total, he made 89 tackles, which placed him second on the team, along with a forced fumble and an interception. In three matches, he made more than 10 tackles. Ranking eighth in tackles-per-game average in the conference, he earned the first-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press (AP).

Following a productive 2021 season, Sewell tested NFL waters, declaring for the draft. His collegiate career peaked at 44 career games played, including 37 starts. Although he went unselected in the draft, he signed up as an undrafted free agent for the New Orleans Saints in 2022. However, after being waived after the final roster cuts on August 30, he rejoined the team’s practice squad. His NFL debut game came in the Saints’ 20–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Following another waiver in December, he found his way back to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.

In the 2023 season, Sewell made the final Saints roster as a special teamer, participating in 16 games. Yet, he faced a setback on August 27, 2024, when he was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the start of the season.

Football runs deep in Sewell’s lineage as his three brothers, Gabriel, Noah, and Penei, also made names for themselves in the sport. Gabriel played as a linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL), Noah served as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, and Penei excelled as an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. To add to their family’s football legacy, his uncles, Richard Brown and Isaac Sopoaga, also have NFL experience under their belts, striving to leave a significant mark in the sport that the Sewells hold sincerely. With his family’s support and his unrelenting determination, Nephi Sewell remains steadfast in his resolve to make his mark in the field of professional football.