EL #54

Eku Leota

Linebacker · Auburn

A Samoan-born pass rusher who has bounced through five NFL practice squads and rosters since going undrafted out of Auburn in 2023.

Eku Leota was born in Falefa, Samoa, and moved to Asheville, North Carolina as a child before developing into a college pass rusher at Northwestern and Auburn. He has spent his pro career fighting for a roster spot across the Panthers, Steelers and Saints organizations, and signed a reserve/future contract with Arizona in early 2026 after finishing the 2025 season on New Orleans' practice squad.

★ Third-team All-Big Ten selection at Northwestern

★ 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his first season at Auburn

Path to the league

Leota began his college career at Northwestern, redshirting as a freshman before earning third-team All-Big Ten honors as a redshirt sophomore. He transferred to Auburn for his final two seasons, recording 23 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks in his first year there before a pectoral injury cut his 2022 season short. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Career highlights

Leota has carved out a career as a practice squad and depth pass rusher, cycling through Carolina, Pittsburgh and New Orleans since his 2023 debut. He has totaled 10 career tackles and a sack across his NFL appearances to date.

2025 season recap

Leota was released by the Steelers in late August 2025 and signed to the Saints' practice squad in September. He appeared in three games for New Orleans, contributing on special teams, before being released in late November. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad in December 2025 and inked a reserve/future contract in January 2026.