Isaiah Pola-Mao Bio
Isaiah Pola-Mao (born June 30, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans and was signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Known for his athleticism and defensive skills, Pola-Mao has quickly established himself in the league since his debut.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah Pola-Mao was born on June 30, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Mountain Pointe High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. During his sophomore year, Pola-Mao was recognized as a first-team USA Today All-Arizona player after recording 35 tackles and seven interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. His junior year saw him earn first-team All-Arizona honors again, with impressive statistics that included 98 tackles and four interceptions on defense, alongside 27 pass receptions on offense.
As a senior, Pola-Mao was named a PrepStar All-American and received multiple accolades, including Max Preps first-team All-America and the All-East Valley Tribune Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 100 tackles and 10 interceptions, returning three of those for touchdowns while also amassing 646 receiving yards and scoring nine touchdowns. Following his high school career, Pola-Mao committed to play college football at USC in January 2017, where he faced challenges, including a season-ending shoulder surgery that caused him to redshirt his freshman year.
Path to American Football
After redshirting, Isaiah Pola-Mao made his debut as a redshirt-freshman, starting the first two games of the season before suffering another shoulder injury. Despite this setback, he recorded eight tackles and a forced fumble in his appearances. In his sophomore year, he became the starting free safety at USC, showcasing his skills by recording 73 tackles and a team-high four interceptions over 13 games. His performance included interceptions in three consecutive games, a feat not accomplished by a USC player in over 20 years, earning him the USC co-Defensive Perimeter Player of the Year award.
In his junior season, Pola-Mao continued to shine, appearing in all six games during a COVID-19-shortened season. He led the team in several defensive categories, including tackles, passes defended, and fumbles recovered. His efforts earned him second-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors. He returned for his final season in 2021, starting in 11 games and finishing his college career with 178 tackles, five interceptions, and numerous other defensive achievements.
Isaiah Pola-Mao Career
Early Career (2022-Present)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Isaiah Pola-Mao was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He made a significant impact by being one of four undrafted rookies to secure a spot on the Raiders’ final roster. Although he was waived after appearing in two games, he was quickly re-signed to the practice squad and promoted to the active roster shortly thereafter.
In the 2024 season, Pola-Mao had a standout performance in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording nine tackles and two forced fumbles, which earned him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Over the course of the season, he played in 17 games, starting 14, and logged impressive statistics, including 89 combined tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 1 sack. His contributions on the field have solidified his role as a key player for the Raiders.
Breakthrough (2025)
On February 24, 2025, Isaiah Pola-Mao re-signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a two-year contract worth $8.45 million. This contract reflects the team’s confidence in his abilities and potential for future contributions. As he continues to develop in the NFL, Pola-Mao aims to build on his early successes and establish himself as a leading safety in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Isaiah Pola-Mao’s signature work includes his performances during the 2024 season, where he demonstrated his defensive prowess and earned recognition as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. His career statistics as of Week 8, 2025, include 168 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions, showcasing his impact on the field.
Isaiah Pola-Mao Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Isaiah Pola-Mao has received recognition for his performances, including being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in 2024.
Isaiah Pola-Mao Awards Won
As of now, Isaiah Pola-Mao has not won any major awards but has shown significant promise in his early career.
Isaiah Pola-Mao Family
Isaiah Pola-Mao is the son of Tracey Mao, who played for the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League. He is also the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, which highlights his family’s connection to professional football.
Personal Life
Details regarding Isaiah Pola-Mao’s personal life are limited, but his family background in sports has undoubtedly influenced his career in football.