A British linebacker who learned American football by watching Netflix shows before entering the NFL through the International Player Pathway.
Mapalo Mwansa is one of the more unusual entries on the Carolina Panthers' roster, a Zambian-British athlete who discovered American football only a few years ago after competing in rugby, track and powerlifting. He came into the league through the NFL's International Player Pathway program and has stuck around Carolina on a reserve/future contract.
Path to the league
Born in Peterborough, England, Mwansa was studying economics at Loughborough University while competing in rugby, soccer, basketball, track and field and powerlifting when a local coach spotted his athletic tools and steered him toward American football. He took what has been described as a crash course in the sport, partly by watching shows like Last Chance U and Quarterback, then joined Loughborough's university program and the Great Britain national team as a defensive end and linebacker, also suiting up for the Nottingham Caesars.
Career highlights
Mwansa was selected for the NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway program in December 2024 and was named one of the four players to watch at the IPP Pro Day. He represented Great Britain in IFAF European Championship qualifiers in October 2024. He has tested well athletically, with a reported 4.45-second 40-yard dash and 10.4-second 100 meters.
2025 season recap
Mwansa went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft but signed with the Carolina Panthers on April 28, 2025, through the International Player Pathway allocation. He was briefly waived before returning to Carolina's practice squad and earned a reserve/future contract in January 2026. He was also selected 9th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2026 CFL Global Draft, giving him a backup path into professional football.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Mapalo Mwansa
- Cat Scratch Reader: Living the American (football) dream - Mapalo Mwansa joins the Panthers
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- -
- Hometown
- Peterborough, England
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
