Olive Sagapolu Bio
Olive Sagapolu (born February 16, 1997) is an American professional football defensive tackle who has spent his career moving between the National Football League (NFL) and spring football leagues. Standing 6 ft 2 in and competing at roughly 331 lb, Sagapolu has carved out a journeyman path built on persistence, position flexibility, and a powerful interior presence. After playing college football at Wisconsin, he entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has since appeared with multiple NFL franchises and United Football League (UFL) clubs.
Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, Sagapolu represents one of the most prolific pipelines of NFL-caliber linemen in the sport. He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he developed the technical base and physical profile that would later allow him to compete at major college and professional levels.
Early Life and Background
Olive Sagapolu was born on February 16, 1997, in Pago Pago, American Samoa. His upbringing in the U.S. territory connected him to a strong Polynesian football culture that has produced generations of professional players. Growing up in this environment gave him early exposure to the sport, and his family ties would later reinforce his commitment to the game.
Sagapolu eventually relocated to the mainland United States, where he attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Mater Dei is widely regarded as one of the premier football programs in the country, and Sagapolu’s time there helped him transition from local standout to nationally recruited prospect. The combination of Samoan heritage and elite high school competition gave him the foundation to compete at the next level.
Path to American Football
Sagapolu committed to the University of Wisconsin, where he played college football from 2015 to 2018. Wisconsin is known for its physical, run-oriented identity and its consistent production of NFL-ready linemen, making it a natural fit for Sagapolu’s size and skill set. He developed under the Badgers’ demanding strength and conditioning program.
Throughout his collegiate career, Sagapolu worked to refine his technique as a defensive tackle, building the lower-body power and hand placement required to hold up against professional offensive linemen. Following his senior season, he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted, a common reality for interior defensive linemen who project as rotational players.
Olive Sagapolu Career
Early Career (2019)
On July 26, 2019, Sagapolu signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career in one of the NFL’s most tradition-rich organizations. He spent the early portion of training camp with the Packers but was waived on August 31 as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.
Shortly after his release, Sagapolu was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on December 17, 2019, giving him another opportunity to develop within an NFL program. On December 30, 2019, the Lions signed him to a reserve/future contract, a vote of confidence in his long-term potential.
Houston Roughnecks Era (2024–2025)
After a season with the New Jersey Generals in 2024 — a franchise that folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League — Sagapolu’s rights were absorbed into the UFL’s dispersal process. On January 5, 2024, he was selected by the Houston Roughnecks during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft, providing him with a stable home in the new combined league.
His Roughnecks tenure was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on April 15, 2024, sidelining him for a portion of the spring season. The team re-signed him on August 15, 2024, signaling continued faith in his recovery and his role along the interior defensive line. The Roughnecks era allowed Sagapolu to showcase his abilities in a consistent, full-season environment.
Columbus Aviators Selection (2026)
On January 13, 2026, Sagapolu was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft, marking another chapter in his spring league journey. The selection reflected his sustained productivity and his reputation as a dependable interior defender. He was released on March 19, 2026, as the Aviators shaped their final roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
A defining milestone in Sagapolu’s career came when he was selected in the 24th round of the 2022 USFL draft by the Pittsburgh Maulers, his first entry into spring professional football. He was released from that contract on August 14, 2023, to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, demonstrating that performance in the spring leagues could still attract NFL attention. That same day, he signed with Philadelphia before being released on August 29, 2023.
Olive Sagapolu Career Wins
Olive Sagapolu’s professional journey is defined less by trophy cases and more by roster survival, as is common for undrafted interior linemen. His career wins are best measured in the sustained opportunities he has earned across multiple franchises, each signing representing a competitive victory in a notoriously difficult profession.
UFL Highlights
Within the United Football League and its predecessor spring leagues, Sagapolu has served as a rotational defensive tackle, contributing against the run and providing interior pressure. His selection by the Houston Roughnecks in the 2024 UFL dispersal draft marked his most stable spring league tenure, and his subsequent selection by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft underscored his continued value to multiple organizations.
Olive Sagapolu Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sagapolu comes from a family with deep ties to professional football. His uncle, Domata Peko, played in the NFL and attended Michigan State, carving out a long career as a defensive tackle. Another uncle, Tupe Peko, also played in the NFL and in the Arena Football League, extending the family’s professional football footprint across multiple eras and leagues.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Sagapolu enjoys swimming in the ocean, playing the ukulele, and singing, interests that reflect his Pacific Island heritage and provide balance to the demands of professional athletics. His Samoan roots and family connections to the NFL continue to shape his identity and his approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Sagapolu was part of the Houston Roughnecks organization after being re-signed on August 15, 2024, following his earlier stint on injured reserve. The 2025 UFL season represented a chance for him to put together a full, healthy campaign and re-establish himself as a reliable interior presence.
With the UFL continuing to grow in visibility and competitive depth, Sagapolu’s 2025 storyline centered on durability and consistency. His experience across multiple NFL and spring league rosters positioned him as a veteran voice in the Roughnecks locker room, and his performance contributed to the team’s overall defensive rotation.
Looking ahead, Sagapolu’s outlook remains tied to his ability to stay healthy and adapt to evolving defensive schemes. Whether his path continues in the UFL or returns to an NFL opportunity, his 2025 season served as another testament to the perseverance that has defined his professional career.