Daniel Ekuale Explained

Daniel Ekuale
Current Team:New England Patriots
Number:95
Position:Defensive tackle
Birth Date:January 13, 1994
Birth Place:Pago Pago, American Samoa
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:310
High School:Nuʻuuli Voc-Tech
College:Washington State
Undraftedyear:2018
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:39
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:5.0
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statlabel7:Defensive touchdowns
Pfr:EkuaDa00

Tanielu "Daniel" Ekuale (born January 13, 1994) is a Samoan American football defensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington State.

Early years

Ekuale was born and grew in Pago Pago, American Samoa and attended Nuʻuuli Vocational Technical High School.[1] He was rated the best college prospect for his class in American Samoa by most recruiting services and committed to play college football at Washington State University over offers from Oregon, Oregon State and Washington and after originally committing to play at Hawaii.[2]

College career

Ekuale was a member of the Washington State Cougars for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman season. He became a starter at nose tackle for the Cougars during his redshirt junior season, recording a career-high 23 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a sack.[3] Ekuale entered his redshirt senior season on the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and made 17 tackles (3.5 for loss) and one sack while starting 12 of WSU's 13 games.[4] He finished his collegiate career with 71 total tackles (14 for loss) with three sacks and two forced fumbles.[5]

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

Ekuale signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018.[6] He was waived at the end of training camp but re-signed to the Browns' practice squad on September 2, 2018.[7] Ekuale was removed from the practice squad on December 6, 2018, after receiving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.[8]

Ekuale signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 2, 2019, and made the 53-man roster out of training camp.[9] Ekuale made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the Tennessee Titans.[10] The Browns placed Ekuale on injured reserve after sustaining a calf injury while playing against the New England Patriots in Week 8. He finished the season with four tackles, one for a loss, in seven games played.[11]

Ekuale was waived by the Browns on September 5, 2020.[12]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On September 8, 2020, Ekuale was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on September 28, 2020.[14]

In Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings, Ekuale recorded his first career sack on Kirk Cousins during the 27–24 overtime loss.[15]

On August 31, 2021, Ekuale was waived by the Jaguars.[16]

New England Patriots

On September 5, 2021, the Patriots signed Ekuale to the practice squad.[17] Ekuale spent the entire 2021 regular season on the Patriots' practice squad, but was elevated to the 53-man roster a total of eight times.[18] On December 6, 2021, Ekuale had 2 tackles and sack in the Patriots 14-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on January 25, 2022.[19]

Ekuale was suspended the first two games of the 2022 season.[20]

On March 23, 2023, Ekuale re-signed with the Patriots.[21] He suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 26.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: After a transformative offseason, WSU nose tackle Daniel Ekuale is playing the best football of his life. Stephanie. Loh. The Seattle Times. September 7, 2017. September 20, 2019.
  2. Web site: Daniel Ekuale faxes in letter of intent to Washington State. Mark. Sandritter. CougCenter.com. SB Nation. February 6, 2013. September 20, 2019.
  3. Web site: WSU's Dan Ekuale, Hercules Mata'afa named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list. Stephanie. Loh. The Seattle Times. August 10, 2017. September 14, 2019.
  4. Web site: Daniel Ekuale could be the Browns' summer surprise. Jeff. Risdon. Browns Wire. USA Today. June 24, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  5. Web site: Browns sign 13 undrafted free agents. Daryl. Ruiter. 923TheFan.Radio.com. May 4, 2018. September 14, 2019.
  6. Web site: Browns sign 13 undrafted free agents, including Evan Berry. Josh. Alper. Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. May 4, 2018. September 14, 2019.
  7. Web site: Cleveland Browns announce 2018 practice squad. Ben. Axelrod. WKYC.com. September 3, 2018. September 14, 2019.
  8. Web site: Browns add 2 to practice squad after Daniel Ekuale suspension. Jeff. Risdon. Browns Wire. USA Today. December 6, 2018. September 14, 2019.
  9. Web site: Browns sign nine players to reserve/future deals, including DE Devaroe Lawrence. Chris. Pokorny. DawgsByNature.com. SB Nation. January 2, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  10. Web site: Browns' defensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 1. Chris. Pokorny. DawgsByNature.com. SB Nation. September 9, 2019. September 14, 2019.
  11. Web site: Browns place DT Daniel Ekuale on injured reserve, promote TE Stephen Carlson. Jeff. Risdon. Browns Wire. USA Today. November 1, 2019. November 2, 2019.
  12. Web site: Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2020 season. Gribble, Andrew. ClevelandBrowns.com. September 5, 2020.
  13. Web site: Jaguars Make Roster Moves. Jaguars.com. September 10, 2020.
  14. Web site: Jaguars Make Roster Moves. Jaguars.com. September 28, 2020.
  15. Web site: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings - December 6th, 2020 . 2020-12-08 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  16. Web site: Official: Jaguars claim Johnson, sign 13 players to practice squad. Oehser, John. Jaguars.com. September 1, 2021.
  17. Web site: Patriots sign defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale to the practice squad. Patriots.com. September 5, 2021.
  18. Web site: 2022-01-24. Patriots Did Not Sign These Practice Squad Players To Future Contracts. 2022-01-25. NESN.com. en-US.
  19. Web site: Patriots Sign DL Daniel Ekuale to a Future Contract. Patriots.com. January 25, 2022.
  20. Web site: Thomas . Oliver . 2022-06-13 . Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale suspended for first two games of 2022 season . 2024-06-05 . Pats Pulpit . en.
  21. Web site: Patriots Re-Sign DL Daniel Ekuale and Sign P Corliss Waitman. Patriots.com. March 23, 2023. March 23, 2023.
  22. Web site: Patriots Place DL Daniel Ekuale on Injured Reserve and Release DB William Hooper from the Practice Squad. Patriots.com. September 26, 2023.