Nephi Sewell Bio
Nephi Sewell (born December 19, 1998) is an American Samoan professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at both the University of Nevada and the University of Utah before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Sewell has built his professional career through persistence and versatility, overcoming significant adversity in his youth to become a Division I athlete and professional player.
Early Life and Background
Nephi Sewell was born on December 19, 1998, in Malaeimi, American Samoa. He moved to the United States in 2012 and settled in St. George, Utah, where he attended Desert Hills High School. His introduction to American football came during his high school years in Utah.
During his sophomore season at Desert Hills, Sewell recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions, demonstrating early promise as a defensive player. However, his junior year took a dramatic turn when he suffered a broken neck in his very first game. Medical professionals informed him that he may never play football again, yet Sewell displayed remarkable determination and dedication to his recovery. He managed to return to the field for his senior season.
As a senior, Sewell transitioned to the running back position and rushed for over 1,250 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns. His performance helped lead Desert Hills High School to a state championship, showcasing his ability to impact the game on offense after establishing himself as a defensive player earlier in his career.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career, Sewell committed to play college football at the University of Nevada in 2017. He saw immediate playing time as a true freshman and was named the school’s player of the week in his debut game, where he recorded five tackles while playing safety. He finished his freshman season having appeared in 12 games, starting eight of them, and compiled 58 tackles along with one interception and a fumble forced and recovered.
As a sophomore in 2018, Sewell started 11 games and recorded 53 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovered. After the season, he announced his intention to transfer from Nevada. Although he initially committed to Brigham Young University, he ultimately transferred to the University of Utah to continue his college football career.
Nephi Sewell Career
College Career at Utah (2019–2021)
In his first season with Utah, Sewell appeared in three games and made 14 tackles while continuing to play safety. Prior to the 2020 season, he made a significant positional change, transitioning from safety to linebacker. That year, he placed second on the team with 40 tackles and started all five of Utah’s games, demonstrating his ability to adapt to a new defensive role.
During his final collegiate season in 2021, Sewell appeared in 13 games with 12 starts at linebacker. He recorded 89 tackles, ranking second on the team, while also notching one forced fumble and one interception. He recorded three games with more than 10 tackles and ranked eighth in the conference with an average of 6.8 tackles per game. His outstanding performance earned him first-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press. After the 2021 season, Sewell declared for the NFL draft, completing a college career that spanned 44 games with 37 starts across Nevada and Utah.
New Orleans Saints (2022–2025)
Despite his productive college career, Sewell went unselected in the 2022 NFL draft. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft concluded. During his first training camp with the team, he was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, but was re-signed to the practice squad. He earned a promotion to the active roster on November 10, 2022, and made his NFL debut that same week in the Saints’ 20–10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10.
Sewell spent most of the 2023 season on the Saints’ active roster, appearing in 16 games primarily as a special teams contributor. He continued with the organization into the 2024 season, beginning the year on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before being activated on November 16, 2024. In New Orleans’ season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sewell recorded his first career NFL sack, accomplishing the milestone against quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Prior to the 2025 season, Sewell was waived by the Saints on August 26 during final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day, continuing his tenure with the organization in a reserves role.
Chicago Bears (2025–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Sewell signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, joining a new organization for the remainder of the 2025 season. shortly thereafter, on January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears, securing his place on the roster for the 2026 season. This move reunited him with his brother Noah Sewell, who also plays linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
Notable Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Nephi Sewell has recorded 26 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble across his professional career with the Saints and Bears. His first career sack came during his final game with New Orleans in the 2024 season finale against Tampa Bay.
Nephi Sewell Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Nephi Sewell comes from a family with deep roots in football. He has three brothers who have also pursued professional football careers. Gabriel Sewell plays as a linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). Noah Sewell is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, making Nephi and Noah teammates on the same NFL roster. Penei Sewell is an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, establishing multiple brothers in the NFL.
The football talent in the family extends beyond his immediate siblings. His uncles Richard Brown and Isaac Sopoaga both played in the NFL, further cementing the family’s strong tradition in professional football.
Personal Life
Sewell grew up in American Samoa before moving to Utah as a teenager, where he developed his football skills at Desert Hills High School. His journey through football includes overcoming a serious neck injury that could have ended his career before it began, demonstrating resilience and determination that characterized his path to the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a transitional year for Nephi Sewell. Beginning the season with the New Orleans Saints organization, he was waived during final roster cuts in late August before re-signing to the practice squad. This pattern reflected his role as a valuable depth player capable of contributing on special teams and defense when called upon. His season concluded with the Saints before he transitioned to the Chicago Bears in January 2026, signing a futures contract that secured his place on the Bears roster for the 2026 season.