Nephi Sewell Bio
Nephi Sewell (born December 19, 1998) is an American Samoan professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 183 centimeters tall and listed at 103 kilograms, he plays a physical linebacker role built on speed, tackling, and special-teams reliability. Sewell signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has since built his career through perseverance and steady contributions on defense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Nephi Sewell was born on December 19, 1998, in Malaeimi, American Samoa. He moved to the United States in 2012, settling in Utah to continue his education and athletic development. This relocation shaped the foundation of his football journey, giving him access to stronger competition and better coaching resources.
Sewell attended Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah, where he quickly emerged as a defensive standout. As a sophomore, he recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions, demonstrating strong ball-hawking instincts. His junior season, however, was cut short after he suffered a broken neck in the first game, an injury that doctors warned could end his football career.
Determined to return, Sewell recovered in time for his senior year and shifted to running back, a position change that showcased his versatility and athleticism. He rushed for more than 1,250 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, helping Desert Hills capture the state championship. That championship run remains one of the defining moments of his formative football years.
Path to Professional Football
Sewell committed to the University of Nevada in 2017, where he earned immediate playing time as a true freshman at safety. He recorded five tackles in his debut game, a performance that earned him the team’s player of the week honor. By the end of his first season, he had played 12 games, started eight, and totaled 58 tackles along with an interception and a forced and recovered fumble.
As a sophomore in 2018, Sewell started 11 games and finished with 53 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery before announcing his intention to transfer. Although he initially committed to BYU, he ultimately joined the Utah Utes. After a limited first season in which he appeared in three games and recorded 14 tackles, Sewell changed positions from safety to linebacker heading into the 2020 campaign.
His transition proved successful. In 2020, he started all five games and placed second on the team with 40 tackles. In 2021, he appeared in 13 games, starting all but one, and recorded 89 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. He ranked eighth in the conference with 6.8 tackles per game and earned first-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press. Following that breakout year, Sewell declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nephi Sewell Career
Early Career (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Sewell signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at the final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, but quickly rejoined the organization on the practice squad. On November 10, 2022, he was promoted to the active roster and made his NFL debut in the Saints’ 20–10 Week 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His first season reflected the perseverance that has defined his career.
Sewell was waived again on December 17, 2022, and returned to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. These early moves between the active roster and practice squad illustrated the patience required for undrafted players to establish themselves in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2023)
Sewell made the Saints’ final roster in 2023 as a core special-teams contributor. He played in 16 games during the season, earning a reliable role on coverage and return units. His dependability on special teams helped solidify his standing within the organization.
While his defensive snaps remained limited, his football IQ, tackling form, and conditioning kept him in the team’s plans. The 2023 campaign marked his first full season on an active NFL roster and represented a significant milestone in his professional journey.
Reserve and Practice Squad Period (2024)
On August 27, 2024, Sewell was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to begin the regular season. He was activated on November 16, 2024, returning to game action late in the year. In the Saints’ season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sewell recorded his first career sack, taking down quarterback Baker Mayfield.
That first sack served as a defining highlight of his 2024 season, offering a glimpse of his pass-rush potential. Although his playing time was limited, the milestone reinforced his value as a versatile linebacker capable of contributing in multiple phases of the game.
Saints Practice Squad Return (2025)
On August 26, 2025, Sewell was waived by the Saints as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, continuing his long-standing relationship with the organization. His familiarity with the team’s schemes and special-teams philosophy made him a logical candidate to remain within the Saints’ system.
Throughout his NFL tenure, Sewell has consistently demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and a team-first mentality. His ability to navigate the practice squad and active roster reflects both his physical talent and his mental toughness.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sewell is recognized for his physicality, tackling reliability, and football intelligence. His background as a safety gives him above-average coverage range for a linebacker, while his running-back experience in high school added instincts in space. On special teams, his aggressiveness and willingness to contribute in various roles have helped him remain a dependable presence for the Saints.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Sewell’s signature moments came during his senior year at Desert Hills, when he rushed for over 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead his team to a state championship after recovering from a broken neck. In the NFL, his first career sack against Baker Mayfield in the 2024 season finale stands as another milestone, marking his arrival as a defensive playmaker.
Nephi Sewell Career Wins
Nephi Sewell’s career wins span team championships, individual collegiate recognition, and professional perseverance. While he has not yet established a long list of statistical league victories, his résumé features a high school state championship and an Associated Press first-team all-conference selection in 2021. His continued presence on an NFL roster represents a victory in itself for an undrafted player who overcame a broken neck to reach the league.
Collegiate Highlights
During his college career, Sewell earned player-of-the-week honors in his Nevada debut and concluded his time at Utah with 89 tackles in 2021, ranking eighth in his conference with 6.8 tackles per game. His first-team all-conference selection highlighted his evolution from a versatile safety into a tackling linebacker.
Other Wins and Performances
Sewell’s most notable non-league accomplishment is the Desert Hills state championship during his senior season, where he starred as a running back after recovering from a serious neck injury. His first NFL sack, recorded against Baker Mayfield, also stands out as a defining performance moment.
Nephi Sewell Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Sewell comes from a family deeply rooted in football. His brothers Gabriel, Noah, and Penei have all pursued professional football careers, with Gabriel playing linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL, Noah playing linebacker for the Chicago Bears, and Penei playing offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. Additionally, his uncles Richard Brown and Isaac Sopoaga both played in the NFL, giving Nephi a deep athletic heritage.
Personal Life
Beyond his family ties to the sport, Sewell maintains close connections with his brothers and embraces his Samoan heritage. His journey from Malaeimi, American Samoa, to the NFL reflects both family support and personal determination.
2025 Season Performance
Sewell entered the 2025 NFL season with the New Orleans Saints but was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, placing him in a developmental role within the Saints’ system.
Although his playing time in 2025 has been limited to practice participation, his familiarity with the team’s defensive scheme and special-teams approach keeps him positioned for future opportunities. The Saints’ continued investment in him signals confidence in his long-term potential.
Looking ahead, Sewell’s combination of special-teams value, defensive versatility, and proven toughness could create paths back to the active roster. His perseverance through injuries and roster movement remains a defining trait of his professional journey.