Rex Sunahara Bio
Rex Sunahara (born October 9, 1996) is an American professional football long snapper for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rhode Island Rams and the West Virginia Mountaineers before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Sunahara has appeared in 29 NFL games across five seasons with four different franchises, developing into a reliable specialist in professional football.
Early Life and Background
Rex Sunahara was born on October 9, 1996, in Bay Village, Ohio. He is of Japanese descent through his father, Reed Sunahara, who hails from Hawaii and serves as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at West Virginia University. His younger brother, RJ Sunahara, played college basketball for the University of Georgia. This athletic family background provided Rex with early exposure to competitive sports at a high level.
Sunahara attended Bay High School in Bay Village, Ohio, where he was a multi-sport athlete competing in varsity football, baseball, and basketball. On the football field, he played as a wide receiver and defensive back. During his senior year, Sunahara earned All-Ohio Division IV Third Team honors, demonstrating his athletic versatility and competitive nature in high school athletics.
Path to the NFL
After graduating from Bay High School, Sunahara initially committed to the University of Rhode Island, where he sought to continue his multi-sport athletic career. It was during his time at Rhode Island that he made the transition to playing long snapper, a specialized position that would define his future football career. At Rhode Island, he appeared in eight games as the long snapper and recorded four special teams tackles while also walking onto the basketball team.
Following his freshman year at Rhode Island, Sunahara transferred to West Virginia University to continue his football career. He walked onto the Mountaineers football team before the 2016 season and served as a backup long snapper for two years. In 2018, Sunahara earned the starting long snapper position and held it for two seasons. Over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he started 24 games and recorded four special teams tackles.
Rex Sunahara Career
College Career (2015–2019)
Sunahara’s collegiate career began at the University of Rhode Island in 2015. His unique ability to excel in multiple sports was evident as he simultaneously played football and walked onto the basketball team. As a freshman long snapper, he demonstrated the consistency and accuracy required for the specialized position, appearing in eight games and recording four tackles on special teams.
After transferring to West Virginia, Sunahara’s development accelerated under the Mountaineers program. His progression from backup to starter showcased his dedication to mastering the technical aspects of long snapping. Following the 2019 season, his strong performance earned him recognition as a Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalist, which honors the top long snapper in college football. He also participated in the 2020 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Game and the 2020 Hula Bowl All-Star Game, further elevating his profile heading into the NFL.
Professional Career
Sunahara entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 1, 2020, but was waived shortly after. He then participated in a workout for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being added to the Dolphins’ practice squad on November 16. Sunahara signed a reserve/futures deal upon completion of the 2020 season and returned to the Dolphins’ practice squad for the 2021 season before being waived again in August 2021.
On December 8, 2021, Sunahara signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was assigned to their practice squad. He was cut two days later but returned in January 2022 to sign a reserve/futures contract. The Steelers waived him again in May 2022. His next opportunity came in the XFL, where he was selected with the seventh pick of the specialists phase by the San Antonio Brahmas in November 2022. He appeared in all ten games for the Brahmas during the 2023 season.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
Sunahara returned to the NFL when he signed with the Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2024. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times during training camp before being promoted to the active roster on October 9, 2024—his 28th birthday. This marked a significant milestone in his career, earning him a permanent spot on an NFL active roster. He was waived again later that month before being signed back to the active roster. On April 6, 2026, Sunahara re-signed with the Browns, securing his continued role with the franchise.
Playing Style and Responsibilities
As a long snapper, Sunahara specializes in delivering precise snaps to the punter or holder on every punt, field goal, and extra point attempt. His consistency and reliability are essential for the special teams unit, as errant snaps can directly result in blocked kicks, turnovers, or failed scoring attempts. His collegiate experience at two major programs and time in both the NFL and XFL have prepared him to handle high-pressure situations in professional football.
Notable Milestones
Sunahara’s career has been defined by persistence and adaptability across multiple leagues. His selection as a Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalist in college highlighted his potential as a top-tier long snapper. His journey from undrafted free agent to consistent NFL contributor demonstrates his determination to succeed at the highest level of professional football.
Rex Sunahara Career Statistics
Sunahara has built a solid professional resume spanning the NFL and XFL. His NFL career includes stints with four different franchises over five seasons, accumulating significant game experience at the sport’s highest level.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Sunahara has appeared in 29 games across his career with the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Antonio Brahmas (XFL), and Cleveland Browns. He has recorded nine total tackles in his professional career. His longevity and versatility have allowed him to maintain a spot in professional football despite going undrafted.
XFL Performance
While with the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL during 2023, Sunahara appeared in all ten games during the season. This experience in an alternative professional league provided him with valuable game reps and further developed his skills as a specialist, keeping him ready for his next NFL opportunity.
| League | Games Played | Total Tackles |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 29 | 9 |
| XFL | 10 | N/A |
Rex Sunahara Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Rex Sunahara comes from a distinguished athletic family. His father, Reed Sunahara, is of Japanese descent and originally from Hawaii. Reed Sunahara has built an impressive coaching career in volleyball, currently serving as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at West Virginia University. This connection explains Rex’s initial path to West Virginia for his college football career.
His younger brother, RJ Sunahara, followed a different athletic path by playing college basketball at the University of Georgia. The Sunahara family’s involvement in athletics spans multiple sports, demonstrating the family’s broad athletic talent and support for competitive sports at various levels.
Personal Life
Sunahara maintains a strong presence on social media, connecting with fans through his official accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram under the handle @rexsunahara. His professional career has taken him across multiple teams and leagues, requiring significant relocation and adaptation throughout his football journey. He celebrated his 28th birthday on October 9, 2024, the same day he was elevated to the Cleveland Browns’ active roster, marking a meaningful personal milestone during the 2024 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents an important chapter in Sunahara’s career as he enters his sixth professional season. Returning to the Cleveland Browns on a re-signed contract in April 2026, Sunahara aims to secure a consistent role on the active roster following his previous stints with the organization. His experience across multiple NFL teams and his time in the XFL have prepared him to compete for a permanent spot on the Browns’ special teams unit.
Sunahara’s journey through five different organizations has tested his resilience and adaptability. From his initial undrafted free agent signing with the Miami Dolphins to his current role with the Browns, he has demonstrated the persistence required to maintain a professional football career. His ability to bounce back between practice squads and active rosters showcases his value as a reliable specialist in the NFL.
The Browns’ special teams unit will look to Sunahara for consistent snapping performance throughout the 2025 season. His track record of appearing in 29 NFL games provides evidence of his capability to perform at the professional level. As he continues his career, Sunahara remains focused on contributing to his team’s success through his specialized role as the long snapper for the Cleveland Browns.