Iosua Opeta Bio
Iosua Opeta (born August 15, 1996) is an American professional football guard who has played in the National Football League since 2019. After an outstanding college career at Weber State University where he earned All-American honors, he went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Opeta has since built a solid NFL career as a versatile offensive lineman, appearing in 38 games with 10 starts over five professional seasons with the Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early Life and Background
Iosua Opeta was born in Bountiful, Utah, on August 15, 1996. He moved to Stansbury Park at the age of eight and grew up in the town. He began playing football at the age of ten. Opeta attended Stansbury Park High School, where he played both defensive and offensive line, demonstrating versatility and football intelligence from an early age.
Despite receiving interest from multiple college programs, Opeta chose Weber State over an offer from Southern Utah because the school planned to use him on the defensive line. This decision ultimately shaped his collegiate trajectory and his future professional career.
Path to Professional Football
Opeta joined the Weber State Wildcats in 2014. As a true freshman, he redshirted before transitioning from defensive tackle to offensive line during his redshirt freshman year after being promised a starting role. This position change proved transformative for his career.
In his first season as an offensive lineman, Opeta earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference recognition. He continued his development, earning First-team All-Big Sky honors in both 2017 and 2018 while also being named an FCS All-American twice. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he recorded 39 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds, the most among all offensive linemen in attendance, showcasing his exceptional functional strength.
Iosua Opeta Career
Early Career (2019)
Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Opeta was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles for training camp. He spent the first 12 weeks of his rookie season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on December 3, 2019. This promotion marked his official entry into NFL regular-season play and demonstrated the coaches’ confidence in his abilities.
Philadelphia Eagles (2019–2023)
Opeta’s tenure with the Eagles featured multiple roster transactions, reflecting the competitive nature of NFL offensive line units. On September 5, 2020, he was waived and signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 1 against Washington before being promoted permanently on September 15. His 2020 season ended early when he was placed on injured reserve on November 28.
On August 31, 2021, Opeta was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before earning a promotion to the active roster on September 29, 2021. In 2022, he appeared in seven games as a reserve lineman while the Eagles made the playoffs. He was waived on January 6, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on February 15, 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024–2025)
On March 15, 2024, Opeta signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seeking a fresh start with a new organization. However, his debut season with the Buccaneers was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL during practice on July 31, 2024. He was placed on injured reserve two days later, ending his season before it truly began.
Opeta re-signed with the Buccaneers on March 25, 2025, but was released on August 26 during final roster cuts. He was signed to the practice squad on September 18 and released on October 7, illustrating the challenges of maintaining a roster spot in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles (Second Stint, 2025)
On October 22, 2025, Opeta was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, reuniting with his original NFL team. He was released by the Eagles on November 3, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and 305 pounds, Opeta possesses the size NFL teams seek in a guard. His transition from defensive tackle to offensive line in college gave him a unique understanding of both sides of the line of scrimmage. His functional strength was demonstrated at the NFL Scouting Combine where his 39 bench press repetitions led all offensive linemen in attendance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Opeta’s college career at Weber State represents his most decorated achievements, with two First-team All-Big Sky selections and two FCS All-American honors. In the NFL, his participation with the Eagles during their 2022 playoff run stands as a notable professional accomplishment.
Iosua Opeta Career Statistics
Across five NFL seasons through 2024, Opeta has appeared in 38 games with 10 starts, with the majority of his production coming during his initial stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
| Team | Games | Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | 31 | 10 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 38 | 10 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and resilience for Opeta. After returning from a torn ACL suffered in July 2024, he re-signed with the Buccaneers in March but was released during final roster cuts in August. Following brief practice squad stints with both the Buccaneers and Eagles, he continued working toward earning a permanent spot on an NFL roster.
Opeta’s journey through the 2025 season exemplifies the perseverance required for undrafted players to maintain professional careers in the NFL. Despite roster instability, his ability to be signed to practice squads demonstrates that coaches continue to value his skill set and experience. His career path reflects the competitive reality of the NFL, where players must consistently prove their worth to remain in the league.