Sua Opeta Bio
Iosua Opeta, widely known as Sua Opeta, is an American professional football guard who has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 2019. Born on August 15, 1996, in Bountiful, Utah, Opeta rose from a small-town athlete to a respected offensive lineman across multiple NFL teams. Known for his raw strength, work ethic, and versatility along the interior line, Opeta has built his reputation through perseverance and steady development at the professional level.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 305 pounds, Opeta combines size with athletic agility, allowing him to anchor both pass protection and run blocking duties. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, contributing as both a starter and a rotational lineman. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a multi-team veteran reflects the modern path of determined offensive linemen in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Sua Opeta was born in Bountiful, Utah, and grew up in the nearby community of Stansbury Park, where his family relocated when he was eight years old. The Salt Lake City area offered a strong youth sports culture, and Opeta first picked up football at the age of ten. His early exposure to the game came through local youth leagues, where his combination of size and coordination quickly set him apart from his peers.
Opeta attended Stansbury Park High School, where he played both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. This dual-threat experience helped him develop a well-rounded understanding of the game and an appreciation for physical play. His success in high school attracted interest from college programs, and he ultimately chose to sign with Weber State University over an offer from Southern Utah because the Wildcats presented a clearer path to the defensive line.
Growing up in Utah shaped Opeta’s grounded personality and blue-collar approach to the sport. The values of discipline and resilience instilled in him during his formative years became defining traits throughout his football journey. These early influences laid the foundation for the workmanlike mentality that has characterized his professional career.
Path to American Football
Opeta joined the Weber State Wildcats and spent five seasons with the program, taking a redshirt year as a true freshman before seeing the field. During his redshirt freshman campaign, he played defensive tackle, showcasing his raw power at the point of attack. However, the coaching staff envisioned a future for him on the offensive side of the ball, and during the following offseason, he was promised a starting role if he made the switch.
The move to the offensive line proved transformative for Opeta’s career. In his first full season as an offensive lineman, he earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference recognition, signaling his rapid development in the new role. He went on to be named an FCS All-American twice, cementing his status as one of the top offensive line prospects at the subdivision level. His combination of strength, technique, and football intelligence made him a standout performer in the Big Sky Conference.
Opeta’s college success also included an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a postseason all-star game that showcases draft-eligible talent to NFL scouts. His performance throughout his time at Weber State positioned him as a player to watch, even as he prepared to enter the NFL without the benefit of a draft selection.
Sua Opeta Career
Early Career (2019)
Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Sua Opeta went undrafted but quickly caught the attention of the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed him as an undrafted free agent ahead of training camp. He impressed during the pre-draft process, most notably at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded 39 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press, the highest total among all offensive linemen in attendance. This display of upper-body strength caught the attention of the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Opeta spent the first 12 weeks of his rookie season on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, where he continued to develop his craft under the guidance of the team’s veteran offensive line coaches. On December 3, 2019, he was promoted to the active roster, marking his official arrival as an NFL player. His early months with the Eagles were a valuable apprenticeship that allowed him to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
Philadelphia Eagles (2020-2023)
Opeta’s second NFL season began with a roster shake-up, as he was waived by the Eagles on September 5, 2020, and promptly signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for the Week 1 matchup against the Washington Football Team on September 12, providing early-season depth along the offensive line. His perseverance paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on September 15, securing a more permanent role.
Unfortunately, Opeta’s 2020 campaign was cut short on November 28, when he was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. The following year brought further roster movement, as he was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day before being elevated back to the active roster on September 29, 2021.
In 2022, Opeta played in seven games for the Philadelphia Eagles, contributing as a rotational offensive lineman. He was a healthy scratch for the Week 17 game against the New Orleans Saints before being waived on January 6, 2023, prior to the season finale against the New York Giants. He returned to the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on February 15, solidifying his place within the organization.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024-2025)
On March 15, 2024, Sua Opeta signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, embarking on a new chapter in his professional career. The move offered him an opportunity to compete for a larger role within a different offensive scheme. However, his tenure with the Buccaneers was interrupted on July 31, when the team announced that he had suffered a torn ACL during practice, an injury that ended his 2024 season and led to his placement on injured reserve.
Despite the setback, Opeta remained committed to his rehabilitation and re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 25, 2025. He was released on August 26 as part of the final roster cuts, only to be re-signed to the practice squad on September 18, 2025. His time back with the Buccaneers was brief, as he was released by the team on October 7, 2025, marking another transition in his journeyman career.
Philadelphia Eagles Second Stint (2025)
On October 22, 2025, Opeta returned to familiar ground when he was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad. The reunion reflected the strong relationships he had built with the organization during his first stint with the team. His time with the Eagles during this second stint was short-lived, however, as he was released on November 3, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Opeta is widely recognized for his exceptional physical strength, which was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine with his record-setting 39 bench press repetitions. His ability to generate power at the point of attack makes him effective in both run blocking and pass protection situations. Opeta’s football intelligence and technique, refined through years of positional versatility, allow him to adapt quickly to different offensive schemes and coaching philosophies across multiple teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Opeta’s career came at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, where his 39 repetitions on the bench press set the standard among offensive linemen. His selection to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl highlighted his status as a premier small-school prospect, and his two-time FCS All-American recognition at Weber State underscored his dominance at the collegiate level. Additionally, Opeta earned First-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2017 and 2018, cementing his legacy as one of the conference’s top linemen.
Sua Opeta Career Highlights
Across his NFL career, Sua Opeta has been a consistent presence along the offensive line, contributing as both a starter and a reliable rotational piece. While his career has been marked by frequent movement between the active roster and practice squad, his perseverance and professionalism have allowed him to remain in the league. His versatility to play multiple interior line positions has been a hallmark of his professional journey.
Philadelphia Eagles Highlights
During his multiple stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Opeta appeared in regular-season games and contributed to the team’s offensive line depth. His most active season came in 2022, when he played in seven games for the Eagles. The trust placed in him by the organization was evident in his repeated re-signings and practice squad promotions throughout his tenure.
Other Performances
Opeta’s time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was limited by injury but demonstrated his value as a depth piece along the offensive front. His ability to remain in the league despite multiple roster transitions speaks to his work ethic and the respect he has earned from coaching staffs across two organizations.
Sua Opeta Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sua Opeta grew up in a supportive family environment in Utah, where he moved to Stansbury Park at the age of eight. While specific details about his parents and family background are not widely documented, the foundation they provided helped shape his disciplined approach to football. His upbringing in the close-knit communities of Bountiful and Stansbury Park instilled values that have carried him through the challenges of a professional sports career.
Personal Life
Off the field, Opeta maintains a private personal life. His journey from a small-town athlete in Utah to an NFL offensive lineman reflects a story of perseverance and dedication. He continues to be regarded as a hardworking teammate whose commitment to the game has earned him respect across the league.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of transition and resilience for Sua Opeta. After re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March, he was released during final roster cuts in August before being brought back on the practice squad in September. His release from the Buccaneers in October marked yet another chapter in a season defined by roster movement.
Opeta’s return to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 22, 2025, provided a familiar landing spot, though his release on November 3 concluded his second stint with the team. Throughout the season, his ability to remain engaged with NFL teams speaks to his continued value as a depth piece along the offensive line.
Looking ahead, Opeta’s experience and proven strength at the combine level suggest he remains a viable option for teams in need of interior offensive line depth. His journey through the 2025 season exemplifies the perseverance required to sustain a long career in professional football.