Owen Pappoe Bio
Owen Pappoe (born September 29, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 229 pounds, he plays a physical, run-stopping brand of linebacker built on speed and tackling. After a standout college career with the Auburn Tigers, Pappoe entered the NFL when the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He continues to develop as a young contributor on the Cardinals defense.
Early Life and Background
Owen Pappoe was born on September 29, 2000, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and raised in the surrounding metropolitan area north of Atlanta. He grew up in a region widely recognized for producing top-tier football talent, and the sport quickly became central to his childhood. Pappoe is of Liberian descent, a heritage that has shaped his family background and personal identity. His early environment combined athletic competition with a strong emphasis on discipline and education.
Pappoe attended Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, where he emerged as one of the most decorated defensive prospects in the state. As a senior, he recorded 121 tackles, showcasing the instincts and finishing ability that would later define his game. His high school performance earned him an invitation to the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game, a marquee showcase that annually features the nation's top high school football players. By the end of his prep career, Pappoe was rated as a five-star recruit, ranking among the elite defensive prospects in his class.
Path to American Football
Rated as a five-star recruit, Owen Pappoe drew scholarship offers from several top college programs across the country. He ultimately committed to Auburn University, choosing the SEC program over other suitors in pursuit of elite competition. His decision reflected both his confidence in his ability to compete at the highest collegiate level and Auburn's track record of developing defensive talent. The recruiting process positioned him for an immediate role upon arrival.
Pappoe's transition to college football was accelerated when he enrolled at Auburn and entered fall camp as a true freshman in 2019. Coaches quickly determined that his combination of size, speed, and football intelligence warranted a starting role from day one. That opportunity allowed him to gain meaningful SEC experience during his first season, a rare path even for top-ranked recruits. His rapid integration into the Auburn defense set the foundation for his development as a professional prospect.
Owen Pappoe Career
College Career (2019-2022)
Owen Pappoe began his Auburn career as a true freshman starter in 2019, an unusual distinction that highlighted his readiness for SEC football. He started all 13 games that season, finishing with 49 tackles and two sacks while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college level. His performance earned praise from coaches and established him as a foundational piece of the Tigers defense. Pappoe returned as a starter in his sophomore year and elevated his production.
In 2020, Pappoe recorded 93 tackles and 4 sacks, cementing his reputation as one of the conference's most productive linebackers. The following season, however, brought adversity, as injuries limited his availability and he appeared in only five games for Auburn in 2021. Pappoe used the setback as motivation, returning to full strength and preparing for the NFL transition. Across his Auburn tenure, his combination of production, leadership, and athleticism positioned him as a draftable professional prospect.
NFL Breakthrough (2023-Present)
Owen Pappoe's professional football career officially began when the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft, with the 168th overall pick. The selection paired him with a franchise seeking young, athletic linebackers capable of contributing on defense and special teams. Pappoe joined an NFC West organization known for its developmental approach to defensive talent. His transition to the league marked the culmination of years of preparation from Grayson High School through Auburn.
Since joining the Cardinals, Pappoe has continued his development within the team's linebacker rotation. His professional career has emphasized growth in coverage assignments, run defense, and overall football IQ, areas prized by modern NFL defenses. He remains under contract with the Cardinals organization as he progresses through his early professional years. Pappoe's long-term role with the team will continue to evolve as he gains additional NFL experience.
Owen Pappoe Career Highlights
Across his football journey, Owen Pappoe has accumulated a series of notable milestones beginning in high school and continuing through the NFL. His most prominent achievements include earning five-star recruit status, starting as a true freshman at Auburn, recording double-digit tackles and multiple sacks in multiple college seasons, and being selected in the 2023 NFL draft. Each milestone reflects a consistent upward trajectory marked by productivity and resilience.
College Highlights
During his time with the Auburn Tigers, Owen Pappoe delivered several standout performances that defined his college career. His 93-tackle, 4-sack sophomore season in 2020 stands as his most productive year statistically, demonstrating his ability to impact games in multiple facets. Pappoe's true freshman start in all 13 games also remains a career highlight, illustrating the trust Auburn placed in him from the outset. Despite an injury-shortened 2021 campaign, his overall Auburn résumé positioned him for professional opportunity.
Draft and Early NFL Notes
Owen Pappoe's selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft represents the most significant milestone of his professional career to date. Being chosen 168th overall validated the years of work invested from his early days at Grayson High School through his SEC career at Auburn. The draft placement also signaled the Cardinals' belief in his long-term potential as an NFL linebacker. Pappoe continues to build upon that foundation as he establishes himself at the professional level.
Owen Pappoe Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Owen Pappoe comes from a family with strong ties to athletics and cultural heritage. He is of Liberian descent, a background that has shaped his upbringing and personal identity. His path from Lawrenceville, Georgia, to the NFL reflects the support system that surrounded him during his formative years in Loganville and later in Auburn, Alabama.
Personal Life
Owen Pappoe focuses much of his public life on his football career and continued development with the Arizona Cardinals. He maintains his residence in the greater Phoenix area as part of his commitment to the team. Outside of football, Pappoe's personal interests remain largely private, with limited public information available regarding relationships or family expansions.
2025 Season Performance
Owen Pappoe enters the 2025 NFL season continuing his development within the Arizona Cardinals defense. As he progresses past his rookie contract window, the Cardinals are expected to evaluate his role within their linebacker rotation and determine how best to deploy his skill set. Pappoe's blend of speed, tackling, and coverage ability positions him as a candidate for expanded responsibilities on defense.
Throughout the early portion of his NFL career, Pappoe has focused on refining his technique and understanding of professional defensive schemes. The 2025 season offers an opportunity to translate that preparation into measurable on-field contributions for Arizona. His continued growth will be closely monitored by the Cardinals' coaching staff and front office as they assess his long-term role.
Looking ahead, Pappoe's outlook with the Cardinals remains promising, provided he continues to develop consistency and durability. The organization's investment in him through the 2023 draft signals confidence in his potential to become a long-term contributor. Success during the 2025 campaign would further establish Owen Pappoe as a reliable presence within the Arizona Cardinals defense.