Daniel Ekuale
{{Short description|Somoan American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{infobox NFL biography
| name = Daniel Ekuale
| image = DannyEkualeBrownsRedskins (cropped).jpg
| caption = Ekuale with the Cleveland Browns in 2019
| current_team = Pittsburgh Steelers
| number = 96
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|1|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Pago Pago, American Samoa
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 310
| high_school = Nuʻuuli Voc-Tech {{avoid wrap|(Tafuna, American Samoa)}}
| college = Washington State (2013–2017)
| undraftedyear = 2018
| pastteams = * Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2024}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 91
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 6
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 1
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 =
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| pfr = EkuaDa00
}}
Tanielu "Daniel" Ekuale (born January 13, 1994) is a Samoan professional American football defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars.
Early life
Ekuale was born and grew in Pago Pago, American Samoa and attended Nuʻuuli Vocational Technical High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/after-a-tough-few-years-wsu-cougars-nose-tackle-daniel-ekuale-has-finally-hit-his-stride/|title=After a transformative offseason, WSU nose tackle Daniel Ekuale is playing the best football of his life|first=Stephanie|last=Loh|work=The Seattle Times|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.cougcenter.com/2013/2/6/3958054/daniel-etuale-wsu-cougars-football-national-signing-day-2013|title=Daniel Ekuale faxes in letter of intent to Washington State|first=Mark|last=Sandritter|website=CougCenter.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=February 6, 2013|access-date=September 20, 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/wsus-dan-ekuale-and-hercules-mataafa-named-to-polynesian-college-football-player-of-the-year-watch-list/|title=WSU's Dan Ekuale, Hercules Mata'afa named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list|first=Stephanie|last=Loh|work=The Seattle Times|date=August 10, 2017|access-date=September 14, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/24/daniel-ekuale-could-be-the-browns-summer-surprise/|title=Daniel Ekuale could be the Browns' summer surprise|first=Jeff|last=Risdon|website=Browns Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=September 14, 2019}} He finished his collegiate career appearing in 51 games with 21 starts, with 71 total tackles (14 for loss) with three sacks and two forced fumbles.{{cite web|url=https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/browns-sign-13-undrafted-free-agents|title=Browns sign 13 undrafted free agents|first=Daryl|last=Ruiter|website=923TheFan.Radio.com|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2019}}https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-ekuale/3657
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3 1/4
| weight = 299
| dash = 5.24
| ten split = 1.78
| twenty split = 2.98
| shuttle = 4.70
| cone drill = 7.52
| vertical = 31.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 2
| bench = 23
| arm span = 31 7/8
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=127034&DraftYear=2018 |title=2018 Draft Scout Daniel Ekuale, Washington State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=December 5, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/102379 |title=Daniel Ekuale 2018 NFL Draft Profile |website=insider.espn.com |access-date=December 5, 2022}}
}}
=Cleveland Browns=
Ekuale signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/04/browns-sign-13-undrafted-free-agents-including-evan-berry/|title=Browns sign 13 undrafted free agents, including Evan Berry|first=Josh|last=Alper|website=Profootballtalk.com|publisher=NBC Sports|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2019}} He was waived at the end of training camp but re-signed to the Browns' practice squad on September 2, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/cleveland-browns-announce-2018-practice-squad/95-590552795|title=Cleveland Browns announce 2018 practice squad|first=Ben|last=Axelrod|website=WKYC.com|date=September 3, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/06/browns-add-2-to-practice-squad-after-daniel-ekuale-suspension/|title=Browns add 2 to practice squad after Daniel Ekuale suspension|first=Jeff|last=Risdon|website=Browns Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=December 6, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2019}}
Ekuale signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 2, 2019, and made the 53-man roster out of training camp.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/1/2/18165499/browns-sign-nine-players-to-reserve-future-deals-including-de-devaroe-lawrence|title=Browns sign nine players to reserve/future deals, including DE Devaroe Lawrence|first=Chris|last=Pokorny|website=DawgsByNature.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=September 14, 2019}} Ekuale made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/9/9/20856682/browns-defensive-snap-counts-stats-and-notes-week-1|title=Browns' defensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 1|first=Chris|last=Pokorny|website=DawgsByNature.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=September 9, 2019|access-date=September 14, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2019/11/01/browns-dt-daniel-ekuale-injured-reserve-stephen-carlson/|title=Browns place DT Daniel Ekuale on injured reserve, promote TE Stephen Carlson|first=Jeff|last=Risdon|website=Browns Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019}}
Ekuale was waived by the Browns on September 5, 2020.{{cite web|title=Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2020 season|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-53-man-roster-2020-season|author=Gribble, Andrew|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=September 5, 2020}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
On September 8, 2020, Ekuale was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.{{cite web|title=Jaguars Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-make-roster-moves-x2704|website=Jaguars.com|date=September 10, 2020}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 28, 2020.{{cite web|title=Jaguars Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-make-roster-moves-x0183|website=Jaguars.com|date=September 28, 2020}}
In Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings, Ekuale recorded his first career sack on Kirk Cousins during the 27–24 overtime loss.{{Cite web |title= Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings - December 6th, 2020 |url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012060min.htm |access-date=2020-12-08 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
On August 31, 2021, Ekuale was waived by the Jaguars.{{cite web|title=Official: Jaguars claim Johnson, sign 13 players to practice squad|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-jaguars-claim-johnson-sign-13-players-to-practice-squad|author=Oehser, John|website=Jaguars.com|date=September 1, 2021}}
=New England Patriots=
On September 5, 2021, the New England Patriots signed Ekuale to their practice squad.{{cite web|title=Patriots sign defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale to the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-defensive-lineman-daniel-ekuale-to-the-practice-squad|website=Patriots.com|date=September 5, 2021}} Ekuale spent the entire regular season on the Patriots' practice squad, but was elevated to the 53-man roster a total of eight times.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-24|title=Patriots Did Not Sign These Practice Squad Players To Future Contracts|url=https://nesn.com/2022/01/patriots-did-not-sign-these-practice-squad-players-to-future-contracts/|access-date=2022-01-25|website=NESN.com|language=en-US}} On December 6, 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.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign DL Daniel Ekuale to a Future Contract|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-dl-daniel-ekuale-to-a-future-contract|website=Patriots.com|date=January 25, 2022}}
Ekuale was suspended the first two games of the 2022 season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Oliver |date=2022-06-13 |title=Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale suspended for first two games of 2022 season |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/6/13/23166589/new-england-patriots-defensive-tackle-daniel-ekuale-suspended-for-first-two-games-of-2022-season |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Pats Pulpit |language=en}}
On March 23, 2023, Ekuale re-signed with the Patriots.{{cite web|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-dl-daniel-ekuale-and-sign-p-corliss-waitman|website=Patriots.com|title=Patriots Re-Sign DL Daniel Ekuale and Sign P Corliss Waitman|date=March 23, 2023|access-date=March 23, 2023}} He suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 26.{{cite web|title=Patriots Place DL Daniel Ekuale on Injured Reserve and Release DB William Hooper from the Practice Squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-place-dl-daniel-ekuale-on-injured-reserve-and-release-db-william-hooper|website=Patriots.com|date=September 26, 2023}}
Ekuale started 16 contests for New England during the 2024 season, recording 52 combined tackles and one sack.
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On March 16, 2025, Ekuale signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web|title=Steelers sign Daniel Ekuale for defensive line depth|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/03/17/nfl-free-agency-daniel-ekuale/stories/202503170045|access-date=March 19, 2025|website=post-gazette.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/daniel-ekuale/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
- [https://wsucougars.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3657 Washington State Cougars bio]
{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ekuale, Daniel}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Players of American football from American Samoa
Category:Sportspeople from Pago Pago
Category:Washington State Cougars football players
Category:Pacific Islander American players of American football