Nephi Sewell Bio
Nephi Sewell, born on December 19, 1998, in Malaeimi, American Samoa, is a professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and spent three seasons with the organization, working his way up from the practice squad to a contributing role on defense and special teams. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 228 pounds, Sewell later joined the Chicago Bears via a reserve/futures contract in January 2026, continuing his professional career in the league.
Before reaching the NFL, Sewell built a versatile athletic foundation across the Pacific and the mainland United States. He attended Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah, after relocating from American Samoa, and went on to play college football at the University of Nevada and the University of Utah. His journey from a true freshman contributor on defense to a starting linebacker and a team tackling leader in the Pac-12 reflects steady development and resilience, qualities that have defined his path through professional football.
Early Life and Background
Nephi Sewell was born on December 19, 1998, in Malaeimi, American Samoa, where he spent his earliest years before relocating to the United States in 2012. He attended Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah, where he quickly emerged as a multi-faceted athlete. As a sophomore, he recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions on defense, establishing himself as a playmaker with strong instincts and range.
His high school career took a dramatic turn during his junior year, when he suffered a broken neck in his first game of the season and missed the remainder of the year. After being told he might never play football again, Sewell worked through his recovery and returned for his senior season, this time operating primarily as a running back. He rushed for more than 1,250 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, helping Desert Hills capture a state championship. The recovery story underscored the determination that would later shape his college and professional trajectory.
Path to American Football
Sewell committed to play college football at the University of Nevada in 2017 and stepped onto the field immediately as a true freshman. In his debut, he was named the team’s player of the week after recording five tackles at safety, signaling his readiness for the college level. He finished that first season with 12 games played, eight starts, 58 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble that he also recovered, demonstrating a knack for creating turnovers early in his career.
As a sophomore in 2018, Sewell started 11 games and added 53 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. After the season, he announced his intention to transfer. Although he originally committed to Brigham Young University, he ultimately transferred to the University of Utah, where he would finish his college career. At Utah, Sewell transitioned from safety to linebacker beginning in 2020, a move that better suited his physical profile and playing style.
Nephi Sewell Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Sewell’s college career began with two productive seasons at Nevada, where he earned starting roles and contributed consistent production as a defensive back. His tackle totals in 2017 and 2018, combined with his playmaking in the secondary, established him as a reliable defender and led to his decision to seek a new opportunity at a Power Five program.
At Utah, Sewell adjusted to a new conference and a new position. In his first season with the Utes, he appeared in three games and made 14 tackles. After switching to linebacker in 2020, he placed second on the team with 40 tackles while starting all five games of the shortened campaign. He then delivered his most complete college season in 2021, starting 12 of 13 games, recording 89 tackles, one forced fumble, and an interception. He ranked eighth in his conference with 6.8 tackles per game and earned first-team all-conference recognition from the Associated Press, concluding his college career with 44 games played and 37 starts.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2022–2025)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Sewell signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at final roster cuts on August 30, re-signed to the practice squad, and promoted to the active roster on November 10. He made his NFL debut in the Saints’ 20–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. After a brief waiver and return to the practice squad in December, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, securing his place in the organization.
Sewell made the Saints’ final roster in 2023, contributing as a special teamer while appearing in 16 games. The 2024 season brought a setback when he was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on August 27. He was activated on November 16 and finished the year on a strong note, recording his first career sack against quarterback Baker Mayfield in the season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, capping his Saints tenure with a practice squad role.
Chicago Bears Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Sewell signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. One week later, on January 20, he signed a reserve/futures contract, securing a future spot on the team’s offseason roster.
The move to Chicago placed Sewell on a Bears roster that also includes his brother Noah, a linebacker for the team, providing a unique family connection in the linebacker room. With his special teams background and his 2024 sack against Tampa Bay highlighting his pass-rush potential, Sewell entered the Bears organization looking to compete for a defensive role and build on his experience in New Orleans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 228 pounds, Sewell brings a compact, physical build to the linebacker position, paired with the instincts he developed as a college safety. His track record on special teams reflects consistent tackling and reliable open-field play, while his transition to linebacker at Utah produced three seasons of high-volume tackling and turner-forcing production. His first NFL sack, recorded against Baker Mayfield, showed an ability to pressure the passer when given the opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sewell’s most notable moments is his 2024 first career sack against Baker Mayfield in the Saints’ season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a milestone that validated his pass-rush skills at the professional level. He also earned first-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press in 2021 at Utah, and his recovery from a broken neck in high school to become an NFL linebacker stands as one of the defining stories of his career.
Nephi Sewell Career Wins
While individual win totals are not officially tracked for linebackers in the manner of quarterbacks or other skill positions, Sewell’s professional milestones include a state championship at Desert Hills High School, a first-team all-conference selection at Utah, and a sustained role in an NFL linebacker room. His first NFL sack, a practice squad promotion, and a reserve/futures contract with the Chicago Bears reflect a career built on incremental achievements and steady progression.
College and High School Highlights
Sewell’s high school career peaked with a senior season in which he rushed for more than 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns while leading Desert Hills to a state title. At Nevada, he earned the team’s player of the week award in his college debut and logged 111 tackles across his first two seasons. At Utah, his 89-tackle 2021 campaign ranked eighth in the conference and earned Associated Press first-team all-conference recognition.
Other Performances
Sewell’s professional work on special teams in New Orleans, including appearances in 16 games in 2023, provided a foundation for his continued role in the league. Through his career in the NFL as of 2025, he has recorded 26 total tackles, 1.0 sack, and 1 forced fumble, reflecting a specialized contribution in limited defensive opportunities.
Nephi Sewell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nephi Sewell comes from a family deeply rooted in football. He has three brothers who play the sport: Gabriel, a linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League; Noah, a linebacker for the Chicago Bears; and Penei, an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. Two of his uncles, Richard Brown and Isaac Sopoaga, also played in the NFL, giving the family a multi-generational presence in professional football.
Personal Life
Sewell was born in Malaeimi, American Samoa, and moved to the United States in 2012 to pursue his football development. His relocation and his brothers’ own professional careers highlight a close-knit family with a shared commitment to the sport. The presence of his brother Noah on the Chicago Bears roster adds a personal dimension to his move to the team in January 2026.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Sewell on the New Orleans Saints roster before final cuts. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of roster reductions and re-signed to the Saints’ practice squad the following day, keeping him within the organization heading into the regular season. His status on the practice squad allowed him to continue developing within the Saints’ system while remaining a call-up option for the active roster.
As the 2025 season progressed, Sewell’s path took another turn when he signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad on January 13, 2026, before inking a reserve/futures contract a week later. The move positioned him to compete for a role in the Bears’ linebacker corps and special teams units during the 2026 offseason program, with the goal of earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
