Frankie Luvu Bio
Frankie Luvu is an American Samoan professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Tafuna, American Samoa, on September 19, 1996, Luvu moved to the contiguous United States in 2013 to play college football at Washington State University. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, he signed with the New York Jets and has since developed into one of the league’s most productive linebackers. Luvu earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024, his first season with the Commanders, and signed a three-year contract worth $31 million in March 2024.
Early Life and Background
Luvu was born on September 19, 1996, in Tafuna, American Samoa, and is the youngest of eight children. His father, Faaloiloia Luvu, was a former member of the Fiji national rugby union team, giving Frankie a direct connection to elite-level rugby. His mother is Veresa Luvu. Growing up in American Samoa, Luvu was exposed to football and other sports from an early age, following in his father’s athletic footsteps in terms of physicality and competitive drive.
In 2013, Luvu moved from American Samoa to the contiguous United States to pursue his dream of playing college football at the highest level. He attended Washington State University, where he played for the Washington State Cougars from 2014 to 2017. This transition required significant adaptation, as Luvu adjusted to a new culture, climate, and the higher level of American football competition.
Path to the NFL
After four seasons with the Washington State Cougars, Luvu entered the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite his collegiate experience and physical tools, Luvu went undrafted. However, his talent was evident to NFL scouts, and he signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2018, agreeing to a three-year, $1.71 million contract. This marked the beginning of his professional career and set the stage for his eventual rise as a productive NFL linebacker.
Luvu’s journey from undrafted free agent to All-Pro demonstrates his perseverance and ability to develop at the professional level. His draft status meant he had to prove himself throughout training camps and preseasons, earning roster spots through performance rather than pedigree.
Frankie Luvu Career
New York Jets (2018–2020)
Frankie Luvu signed with the New York Jets on May 6, 2018, as an undrafted free agent. He competed for a roster spot as a backup linebacker during training camp against several players. The Jets waived Luvu on September 1, 2018, during final roster cuts, but he cleared waivers and joined the practice squad the following day.
On September 8, 2018, the Jets promoted Luvu to the active roster after Josh Martin was inactive due to concussion symptoms. He made his regular-season debut on September 10, 2018, recording three solo tackles, two tackles for-a-loss, and deflecting a pass in a 48-17 victory against the Detroit Lions. Luvu earned his first career start on December 30, 2018, during a 3-31 loss at the New England Patriots. He finished his rookie season with 22 combined tackles, five tackles for-a-loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection in 14 games and one start.
During the 2019 season, Luvu appeared in 13 games and recorded 12 combined tackles, one tackle for-a-loss, and one sack. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad in October 2019 before being promoted back to the active roster in November. In 2020, Luvu appeared in 13 games with three starts, collecting 25 combined tackles, two sacks, three tackles for-a-loss, one forced fumble, and the first safety of his career during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Carolina Panthers (2021–2023)
On March 23, 2021, Luvu signed a one-year, $1.10 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. He served as the primary backup outside linebacker behind Hassan Reddick and Shaq Thompson. In his first season with the Panthers, Luvu played in 16 games with four starts, recording 43 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt.
On February 17, 2022, Luvu signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with $4.50 million guaranteed. He became the starting strongside linebacker and had a breakthrough season. In Week 2, he made a season-high ten solo tackles and four tackles for-a-loss against the New York Giants. On October 2, 2022, Luvu recorded 11 combined tackles, intercepted a pass from Kyler Murray, and returned it 33 yards for his first career touchdown during a loss at the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the 2022 season with 111 combined tackles, seven sacks, and a touchdown in 15 games and 14 starts.
In 2023, Luvu started all 17 games for the first time in his career. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 12 after a standout performance against the Houston Texans. He recorded a season-high 12 combined tackles, two tackles for-a-loss, two pass deflections, and one sack in that game. Luvu finished the 2023 season with a career-high 125 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in August 2023.
Washington Commanders (2024–Present)
On March 11, 2024, Luvu signed a three-year, $31 million contract with the Washington Commanders. The move represented a significant step in his career, joining a franchise in transition under new leadership. Luvu made an immediate impact in his first season with the Commanders, demonstrating the playmaking ability he had developed over six seasons in the NFL.
Luvu earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024 after recording 99 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, seven pass breakups, and an interception. This recognition solidified his status as one of the top linebackers in the league and validated the Commanders’ investment in him. His versatility as a run defender and pass rusher made him a crucial component of Washington’s defense.
Playing Style and Strengths
Luvu is known for his physicality, high motor, and ability to make plays all over the field. His background in American Samoa and his father’s rugby career contributed to his tackling technique and competitive nature. Luvu excels at batting down passes, creating turnovers, and applying pressure on quarterbacks. His versatility allows him to line up in multiple positions within the defensive front, making him a valuable chess piece for defensive coordinators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Luvu has achieved several milestones that highlight his development. His first career sack came in 2018 against Mitchell Trubisky of the Chicago Bears. His first career touchdown came in 2022 when he intercepted Kyler Murray and returned it 33 yards for a score. In 2024, Luvu’s second-team All-Pro selection marked the highest individual honor of his career.
Frankie Luvu Career Statistics
Frankie Luvu has built a reputation as a durable and productive linebacker across his seven NFL seasons. His career totals include 523 combined tackles, 31 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and 25 pass deflections.
NFL Career Highlights
Among his most productive seasons, Luvu’s 2023 campaign with the Panthers saw him start all 17 games and record a career-high 125 combined tackles. His 2022 season featured 111 tackles and seven sacks along with his first career touchdown. His 2024 season with the Commanders resulted in second-team All-Pro honors with 99 tackles and eight sacks.
Other Notable Performances
Luvu’s best single-game performances include a 12-tackle game against the Houston Texans in 2023, a 10-tackle performance against the New York Giants in 2022, and multiple games with multiple sacks. His ability to force turnovers stands out, with two career interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | New York Jets | 14 | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | New York Jets | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | New York Jets | 13 | 25 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | Carolina Panthers | 16 | 43 | 1.5 | 1 |
| 2022 | Carolina Panthers | 15 | 111 | 7 | 1 |
| 2023 | Carolina Panthers | 17 | 125 | 5.5 | 2 |
| 2024 | Washington Commanders | 17 | 99 | 8 | 1 |
Frankie Luvu Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Frankie Luvu was born to Faaloiloia Luvu and Veresa Luvu in Tafuna, American Samoa. His father, Faaloiloia Luvu, was a former member of the Fiji national rugby union team, which provided Frankie with a strong athletic foundation. Frankie is the youngest of eight children, growing up in a competitive and supportive family environment that fostered his love for sports.
Personal Life
Of American Samoan descent, Luvu maintains strong connections to his heritage. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in August 2023, completing his transition from American Samoa to the United States that began when he moved abroad in 2013 to pursue college football. Luvu is active on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram and X accounts.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Luvu continued as a key member of the Washington Commanders defense. Following Week 9 of the 2025 season, the league announced that Luvu was suspended for one game for repeated hip-drop infractions on November 3, 2025. However, the next day, the NFL reduced the punishment to a $100,000 fine after Luvu appealed the suspension. This disciplinary matter marked a challenge during his 2025 campaign, but Luvu remained focused on contributing to the Commanders’ defensive efforts. The Commanders’ new defensive scheme under coordinator Frankie Luvu’s leadership continued to feature his versatility and playmaking ability as central components of the game plan.