Brandon Pili Bio
Brandon Pili (born April 2, 1999) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 334 pounds, he plays on the interior defensive line and is listed as active on the Seattle roster.
Pili played college football for the USC Trojans from 2017 through 2022 before signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023. After time with the Dolphins and on practice squads, he joined the Seattle Seahawks and currently wears jersey number 95.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Pili was born on April 2, 1999, the eldest of seven children. His father had moved to Alaska from Hawaii in 1990, and his mother grew up in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost settlement in the United States. Pili lived his first years in Barrow before his family relocated to Anchorage, where he spent most of his childhood.
Growing up, Pili played several sports and developed an early love for football. He attended Dimond High School in Anchorage, where he played on the football team until the first game of his senior season. That offseason, he transferred to Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, to finish his high school career and gain broader exposure to college recruiters.
While at Dimond, Pili had received limited attention from college programs. After his transfer to Westview, recruiting interest grew significantly, and he ultimately committed to play for the USC Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference. His move from Alaska to the Pacific Northwest, and eventually to Southern California, marked the start of his path toward professional football.
Path to American Football
Pili arrived at the University of Southern California as a defensive tackle prospect with NFL-level size. Listed at roughly 345 pounds during his freshman year, he saw significant playing time immediately, appearing in nine games with two starts and recording 14 tackles along with a blocked field goal.
Across his next two college seasons, he continued to develop. As a sophomore, he played in all 12 games with two starts, posting 12 tackles and a sack. In 2019, he added 18 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 13 games, showing a more well-rounded skill set at the line of scrimmage.
The COVID-19-shortened 2020 season limited him to four games and five tackles. Pili was expected to play a major role in 2021 but tore his Achilles tendon before the season and missed the entire year. He returned healthy in 2022, dropped his playing weight to about 315 pounds, played 14 games, and recorded a career-high 25 tackles with one sack and a pass breakup. He closed his college career with 74 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 52 games played.
Brandon Pili Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Brandon Pili signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. He made the Dolphins’ final roster that summer, becoming the first Alaskan to appear on an NFL roster since 2014.
Pili was waived by Miami on November 4, 2024, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad three days later. He later signed a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 15, 2024, continuing his development within the organization before eventually being waived again on November 9, 2024.
Miami Dolphins Era (2023–2024)
Pili’s time in Miami gave him his first extended look at a professional defensive line room. Working within the Dolphins’ defensive scheme, he focused on building leverage, hand technique, and conditioning at the nose tackle position. His ability to make the final roster out of training camp was an early milestone in his professional career.
Through the 2024 season, Pili had recorded 4 total tackles in his NFL career. While his on-field role fluctuated between the active roster and the practice squad, his time with Miami allowed him to refine his approach against professional offensive linemen.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
On November 11, 2024, Brandon Pili was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived five days later and quickly re-signed to Seattle’s practice squad, where he continued to prepare for an opportunity on the active roster.
On August 26, 2025, Pili was waived by the Seahawks as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On October 9, 2025, he was signed back to the active roster, where he currently serves as a nose tackle wearing number 95.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a nose tackle, Pili relies on his large frame, low pad level, and ability to anchor against double teams. After trimming weight from his earlier college days, he pairs size with the mobility needed to pursue plays along the line. His work in both base and rotational packages has been a focus during his time in Seattle’s defensive system.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable achievements of Pili’s early career was becoming the first Alaskan to appear on an NFL roster since 2014. Reaching the active roster again with the Seattle Seahawks in October 2025 marked another significant milestone in his journey from Anchorage to the NFL.
Brandon Pili Career Wins
As an interior defensive lineman, Brandon Pili’s statistical impact is measured less in win totals and more in pressures, tackles, and role assignments. Through the 2024 season, he had recorded 4 total tackles across his NFL appearances, a modest but verified total as he continues to compete for a regular spot on the defensive line rotation.
NFL Highlights
Pili’s NFL career has so far been defined by perseverance. After making the Dolphins’ initial roster in 2023, he transitioned between practice squad and active roster roles in both Miami and Seattle. His most recent promotion to Seattle’s active roster on October 9, 2025, represents the most recent step in his professional journey.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Pili’s biggest wins have come at the collegiate level, where he played 52 games for the USC Trojans and recorded 74 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. His career-high 25-tackle season in 2022 stands out as his most productive individual year.
Brandon Pili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Pili is the eldest of seven children. His father moved to Alaska from Hawaii in 1990, while his mother grew up in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost community in the United States. The family later settled in Anchorage, where Pili first gained attention as a football prospect.
Personal Life
Pili’s younger sister, Alissa Pili, plays basketball for the Geelong Venom of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). Her presence at a high level of professional basketball has been noted as part of the family’s athletic background, though Brandon Pili’s own focus remains on his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been a transitional year for Brandon Pili. He entered the summer as part of Seattle’s defensive line group before being waived on August 26 as part of the Seahawks’ final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad the very next day, keeping him within the organization.
His opportunity came on October 9, when Seattle signed him to the active roster. Since then, he has been listed as an active nose tackle wearing number 95, contributing on the interior of the defensive line as part of the team’s rotation.
Looking ahead, Pili’s primary goal for the remainder of the 2025 season is to solidify his role on Seattle’s defensive front and continue building the consistency needed for a long-term NFL career. His path from Anchorage to the active roster reflects the perseverance that has defined his professional journey.