Josh Tupou Bio
Joshua Enelangi Tupou, known professionally as Josh Tupou, is an American professional football nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 350 pounds, Tupou has built his career as a run-stopping interior lineman after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes before embarking on a professional journey that has included stints with multiple NFL franchises.
Born on May 2, 1994, in Long Beach, California, Tupou is of Tongan descent and has become a respected presence in NFL locker rooms for his work ethic and physicality. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in regular-season games for the Cincinnati Bengals and has continued his professional path through practice-squad roles with the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Enelangi Tupou was born on May 2, 1994, in Long Beach, California, and grew up in Southern California. He is of Tongan descent, a heritage that has shaped his identity and grounded his approach to the game. Tupou attended Buena Park High School in California, where he first developed the physical frame and football foundation that would later define his career as an interior defensive lineman.
During his high school years, Tupou focused on building the strength and technique required to play along the defensive line, a position that demands both power and leverage. His performance at Buena Park earned him an opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level, setting the stage for his eventual transition to the University of Colorado.
Tupou’s early background in Long Beach and his Tongan family roots gave him a strong sense of community, and his development at Buena Park High School prepared him for the rigors of major college football. These formative years laid the groundwork for the discipline and toughness he would later carry into the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career at Buena Park, Joshua Enelangi Tupou joined the Colorado Buffaloes football program, where he played college football at the University of Colorado. His time with the Buffaloes allowed him to refine his skills as a nose tackle, a position that requires players to occupy multiple blockers and disrupt opposing rushing attacks at the line of scrimmage.
At Colorado, Tupou developed into a physical, space-eating defender whose strength and motor caught the attention of NFL scouts. Despite his collegiate production, he went unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but his size, athleticism, and positional fit ensured that he would receive opportunities as an undrafted free agent.
That opportunity arrived when Tupou signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on May 5, 2017, beginning his professional career. His journey from Long Beach to Boulder, Colorado, and then into the NFL illustrates a steady progression built on perseverance and consistent development at every level.
Josh Tupou Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Joshua Enelangi Tupou signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017, marking the beginning of his NFL career. He was waived on September 2, 2017, but was signed to the practice squad the following day, demonstrating that the organization saw enough potential to keep him within its system. Tupou was promoted to the active roster on November 11, 2017, before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad again later that month, ultimately returning to the active roster on December 6, 2017.
On November 22, 2018, Tupou was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral during practice, a significant setback that tested his resolve. He worked through rehabilitation and continued his development within the Bengals organization, building a reputation as a hard-working interior lineman committed to his craft.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Tupou re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on May 1, 2020, but announced on August 3, 2020, that he would opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His decision reflected the broader challenges faced by players during that unprecedented period and underscored his commitment to long-term health and team responsibilities.
On March 17, 2022, Tupou re-signed with the Bengals and went on to play a meaningful role along the defensive line. During week 4 of the 2022 season, he recorded his first career sack against the Miami Dolphins, a memorable play in which he brought down quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and forced a concussion that took the quarterback out of the game. That milestone validated his years of preparation and gave him his first official quarterback takedown in the NFL.
Tupou remained with Cincinnati through the 2023 season, serving as a dependable rotational nose tackle. His tenure with the Bengals represented the longest and most productive stretch of his professional career, during which he earned the trust of his coaching staff and teammates.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–Present)
On May 28, 2024, Joshua Enelangi Tupou signed with the Baltimore Ravens, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was released on August 27, 2024, as part of roster reshaping, but re-signed to the practice squad on October 28, 2024, returning to the organization in a developmental capacity.
On July 28, 2025, Tupou signed with the Indianapolis Colts, was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day before being released again on September 1, 2025. On September 24, 2025, Tupou returned to the Baltimore Ravens by signing with their practice squad, was released on October 7, and re-signed to the practice squad one week later, where he continues to contribute.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Josh Tupou’s career came during week 4 of the 2022 season, when he recorded his first career sack against Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The play resulted in a concussion for Tagovailoa that forced him out of the game, making it one of the most talked-about moments of Tupou’s time in the NFL.
Josh Tupou Career Wins
Joshua Enelangi Tupou has built his professional reputation as a reliable nose tackle rather than a stat-sheet leader, with his first career sack in 2022 standing as a signature milestone. His value to his teams has consistently come through run defense, locker-room leadership, and depth along the interior line, with his career wins measured in contributions to team performance rather than personal accolades.
Josh Tupou Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Enelangi Tupou was born in Long Beach, California, into a family of Tongan descent, a cultural heritage that has remained an important part of his identity. His upbringing in Southern California and his Tongan roots have shaped his values and his approach to the game of football.
Personal Life
Public details about Tupou’s immediate family members remain limited in verified sources. He attended Buena Park High School before continuing his education at the University of Colorado, where he played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. Beyond his professional career, Tupou continues to be recognized as a dedicated teammate whose presence has influenced locker rooms in Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Indianapolis.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of movement for Joshua Enelangi Tupou, reflecting the journeyman nature of his role as a depth interior defender. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 28, 2025, was released during final roster cuts on August 26, and briefly re-signed to the Colts practice squad before being released again on September 1.
On September 24, 2025, Tupou returned to the Baltimore Ravens by signing with their practice squad, providing him a familiar organizational setting in which to contribute. He was released on October 7 and re-signed to the practice squad one week later, continuing his role as a reliable depth piece along the defensive line.
As the 2025 season progresses, Tupou’s outlook centers on remaining available, productive, and ready when called upon. His experience with multiple franchises and his physical profile at nose tackle make him a valuable practice-squad asset, and his continued presence in the Ravens organization suggests he remains firmly in the mix for future opportunities at the NFL level.