Brandon Pili Bio
Brandon Pili is an American professional football nose tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on April 2, 1999, in Anchorage, Alaska, and played college football at the University of Southern California before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Pili made NFL history by becoming the first Alaskan on an NFL roster since 2014. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in November 2024 and signed a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the team in March 2026.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Pili was born on April 2, 1999, in Anchorage, Alaska, the eldest of seven children. His father moved to Alaska from Hawaii in 1990, and his mother grew up in Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost settlement in the United States. Pili spent his early childhood in Utqiagvik before his family relocated to Anchorage, where he would develop his passion for athletics.
Growing up, Pili participated in several sports, which helped him develop the athleticism and physical tools that would later define his football career. He attended Dimond High School in Anchorage, where he played football until the first game of his senior season. Despite his evident talent, Pili received limited attention from college football programs during his time at Dimond.
To pursue better football opportunities, Pili transferred to Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, to complete his high school career. The move proved transformative, as he began receiving significant recruiting interest from major college programs. His performance at Westview ultimately led him to commit to play for the USC Trojans, one of college football’s premier programs.
Path to American Football
At USC, Pili developed into a formidable defensive tackle. During his freshman year, he weighed 345 pounds and saw substantial playing time, appearing in nine games with two starts. He recorded 14 tackles and blocked a field goal, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses even as a young player. His sophomore season showed continued progress, with 12 tackles and his first collegiate sack across 12 games.
The 2019 season represented another step forward, as Pili recorded 18 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 13 games played. However, his 2020 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting him to just four games and five tackles. The following year brought significant challenge when Pili tore his Achilles tendon before the season began, forcing him to miss the entire 2021 campaign.
Returning for his final season in 2022, Pili committed to improving his conditioning, bringing his weight down to 315 pounds. The results were remarkable as he played 14 games and posted a career-high 25 tackles, along with one sack and one pass breakup. Over his five-year collegiate career, Pili accumulated 74 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks across 52 games, establishing himself as a reliable presence on the Trojans’ defensive line.
Brandon Pili Career
Early Career (2023)
Despite being projected as a potential mid-round draft pick, Brandon Pili went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He quickly signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins, joining the organization for rookie minicamp. Through determination and strong training camp performance, Pili made the team’s 53-man roster, a significant achievement that solidified his status as an NFL player.
His selection by the Dolphins made Pili the first Alaskan to be on an NFL roster since 2014, representing a milestone for football talent from the state. He appeared in limited defensive snaps during his rookie season while contributing on special teams. In November 2023, the Dolphins waived Pili, but he cleared waivers and rejoined the team on the practice squad three days later, continuing his development within the organization.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
On November 11, 2024, Pili was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, joining his home-state team in the Pacific Northwest. However, his tenure with the Seahawks began with uncertainty when he was waived just five days later and re-signed to the practice squad. This pattern of movement between the active roster and practice squad continued through his first season with the organization.
In August 2025, Pili was waived by the Seahawks as part of final roster cuts before the regular season began. He re-signed to the practice squad the following day, maintaining his connection to the team. His persistence paid off on October 9, 2025, when the Seahawks signed him to the active roster, recognizing his contributions and potential as a nose tackle in their defensive scheme.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pili possesses the prototypical build for an NFL nose tackle at 6 feet 3 inches and 334 pounds. His strength lies in his ability to anchor against double teams and occupy offensive linemen, freeing up teammates to make plays. His experience at USC prepared him for the physical demands of the position, and his improved conditioning in his final college season translated to better stamina at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
While with the Dolphins organization, Pili was part of the team during their run to and through Super Bowl LX in February 2024, earning a championship ring as a member of the organization. This achievement marked him as a Super Bowl champion, though he did not appear in the game itself. His career trajectory from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion demonstrates his resilience and ability to contribute to winning teams at the highest level of professional football.
Brandon Pili Career Wins
Brandon Pili has built a solid foundation in his young NFL career, appearing in games with both the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks. As of the 2025 season, he has recorded 16 total tackles at the professional level. His journey from undrafted free agent to earning a Super Bowl ring with the Dolphins represents his most significant team achievement to date.
NFL Highlights
Pili’s primary NFL accomplishment came as a member of the Miami Dolphins organization during the 2023 season, when the team won Super Bowl LX. While he did not play significant defensive snaps during the championship run, his presence on the roster during that season earned him a Super Bowl championship ring. This milestone established him in NFL history as one of the few players from Alaska to win a Super Bowl.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship ring, Pili has contributed steadily as a rotational player and special teams performer. His 16 career tackles reflect his role as a situational defender rather than a primary stat-producer. The Seattle Seahawks’ decision to sign him to the active roster in October 2025 and subsequently re-sign him to a $2 million contract in March 2026 demonstrates the organization’s confidence in his abilities as a nose tackle.
Brandon Pili Family
Family Background
Brandon Pili comes from a family with diverse geographic roots. His father relocated from Hawaii to Alaska in 1990, establishing the family’s connection to the island state. His mother grew up in Utqiagvik, Alaska, which holds the distinction of being the northernmost settlement in the United States. This unique family background gave Pili exposure to different cultures and environments during his upbringing.
As the eldest of seven children, Pili grew up in a large family environment that likely contributed to his team-oriented mentality and work ethic. His family’s support throughout his journey from Alaska youth football to the NFL has been a consistent theme in his career narrative.
Personal Life
Pili maintains athletic connections beyond football through his younger sister, Alissa Pili. Alissa plays professional basketball for the Geelong Venom in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), continuing the family’s tradition of athletic excellence. The siblings represent different paths in professional sports, with Brandon pursuing American football while Alissa competes in basketball at a high international level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough for Brandon Pili with the Seattle Seahawks. After spending much of training camp and the early portion of the season on the practice squad, he was signed to the active roster on October 9, 2025. This promotion validated his persistence through roster fluctuation and demonstrated the coaching staff’s appreciation for his development at the nose tackle position.
Throughout the remainder of the 2025 season, Pili provided depth along the Seahawks’ defensive line while contributing on special teams units. His experience from the Dolphins’ championship run in 2024 brought veteran presence to a relatively young Seattle defense. The physical demands of the nose tackle position require consistent performance in run defense and gap integrity, areas where Pili continued to refine his craft.
Following the 2025 season, Pili’s contributions earned him a contract extension with the Seahawks. On March 16, 2026, he re-signed with the team on a one-year deal worth $2 million, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future. This contract reflects the team’s confidence in his ability to anchor their defensive front and contribute to their ongoing success in the competitive NFC West division.