Breiden Fehoko Bio
Breiden Fehoko is an American former professional football player who spent five seasons in the National Football League as a nose tackle. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the LSU Tigers, where he was a member of the 2019 LSU team that captured the national championship. Fehoko signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and later joined the Pittsburgh Steelers before announcing his retirement in November 2025.
Early Life and Background
Breiden Fehoko was born on October 15, 1996, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended Farrington High School in Honolulu, where he developed his skills as a defensive lineman. His family has strong athletic roots, as he is the son of Vili Fehoko and Linda Fehoko. Fehoko comes from a football family, with his cousin Simi Fehoko also pursuing a professional career in the NFL as a wide receiver.
Growing up in Hawaii, Fehoko was exposed to football from an early age and developed a passion for the sport that would guide his career path. His upbringing in the islands contributed to his distinctive pre-game tradition. Before LSU football games and during his appearance on the HBO series Hard Knocks, Fehoko performed the Haka, a traditional Māori dance, together with family members. This tradition connected his Polynesian heritage to his football career.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Farrington High School, Fehoko continued his football journey at the collegiate level. He first played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2015 to 2016, where he gained valuable experience in the college football environment. His performance at Texas Tech earned him an opportunity to transfer to a more prominent program.
In 2017, Fehoko joined the LSU Tigers, a move that would prove pivotal to his career. At LSU from 2017 to 2019, he developed under the guidance of college football’s elite coaching staff. His most significant achievement came in 2019 when he was part of the LSU team that won the College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating the Clemson Tigers in the title game. That historic LSU squad posted a 15-0 record and featured several future NFL players.
Breiden Fehoko Career
Los Angeles Chargers (2020–2022)
Following his collegiate career, Fehoko entered the 2020 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, officially beginning his professional football career. He was waived during final roster cuts in September 2020 but was signed to the practice squad shortly after.
Fehoko was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on November 28, 2020, for the team’s Week 12 game against the Buffalo Bills. This contest marked his NFL debut. He also appeared in the Week 13 matchup against the New England Patriots before returning to the practice squad. Fehoko signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 5, 2021, securing his spot for the following season.
During the 2021 season, Fehoko continued to bounce between the active roster and practice squad. He was waived during final roster cuts in August 2021 but re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He earned a promotion to the active roster in November 2021 and made his first career NFL start on November 21, 2021, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2022, Fehoko made the Chargers’ initial 53-man roster, demonstrating his growth as a professional player. However, he was waived in September 2022 and spent time on the practice squad before earning another promotion later that season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2023–2024)
On April 4, 2023, Fehoko signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was waived during the final roster reduction period in August 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad. He earned a promotion to the active roster later that month. His tenure with the Steelers was interrupted when he was waived in November 2023 and returned to the practice squad.
Fehoko was re-signed by the Steelers on March 8, 2024. He was placed on injured reserve in August 2024 and was released with an injury settlement later that month. He returned to the Steelers’ practice squad in October 2024. On August 2, 2025, Fehoko re-signed with the Steelers but was released less than three weeks later on August 18, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fehoko played the nose tackle position, a critical role in the heart of the defensive line. At 6 feet 3 inches and 300 pounds, he possessed the size and strength necessary to anchor against the run and occupy blockers. His experience at both Texas Tech and LSU prepared him for the physical demands of the NFL, where he contributed primarily as a rotational and special teams player.
Career Milestones
Fehoko’s most significant career milestone was winning the 2019 CFP National Championship with LSU. In the NFL, he appeared in 36 career games with limited starts, developing as a depth player along the defensive line. His first career start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in November 2021 represented his transition from practice squad contributor to regular rotation player.
Breiden Fehoko Career Statistics
Throughout his five-season NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, Fehoko contributed as a rotational defensive lineman and special teams player.
NFL Career Summary
Fehoko appeared in a total of 36 NFL games over five seasons. He recorded 36 total tackles as a professional while playing primarily as a nose tackle. He did not record any sacks or forced fumbles during his NFL career. His contributions came mainly on special teams and as a backup along the defensive line.
Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Fehoko was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Vili Fehoko and Linda Fehoko. His family maintains strong ties to Polynesian culture, which Fehoko honored throughout his football career. He is the cousin of Simi Fehoko, who plays wide receiver in the NFL. The family connection to football provided Breiden with early exposure and support throughout his journey from high school in Hawaii through his collegiate and professional career.
Personal Life
Fehoko is known for performing the Haka, a traditional Māori dance, with family members before LSU football games. This tradition, which was featured during his appearance on the HBO series Hard Knocks, connected his Polynesian heritage to his athletic pursuits. Fehoko’s cultural traditions and family support played a significant role throughout his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the final chapter of Fehoko’s professional football career. He re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 2, 2025, but was released less than three weeks later on August 18. Following his release, Fehoko took time to evaluate his future in the sport. On November 21, 2025, he announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a five-year NFL career that began as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Fehoko’s retirement brought an end to a journey that took him from Farrington High School in Honolulu to college football glory at LSU and five seasons in the NFL. Throughout his career, he demonstrated resilience by repeatedly earning spots on active rosters after being waived and signed to practice squads. His career stats of 36 tackles across 36 games reflect his role as a special teams contributor and depth player along the defensive line.