Brandon Pili, currently playing as a defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He holds the distinction of being the first Alaskan to grace an NFL roster since 2014, making him a rare talent hailing from the state known as The Last Frontier. Curious about how he achieved this feat? Here's his story.
Brandon Pili has amassed an estimated net worth of $500,000 through his successful NFL career. As one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, he's poised to continue gaining both fame and fortune in the years ahead.
Pili agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, valued at $2,085,000. This means he earns an average of $1,042,500 each year. For 2024, his base salary is $915,000, and his cap hit is also $915,000. Besides that, check out the professional career of American NFL star Terrell Bynum.
Pili was born on April 2, 1999, to parents Heather Pili and Billy Pili and his grandparents are Randy and Virgie Crosby from Utqiaġvik, Alaska. He has eight siblings: Darren, Alissa, Trinity, Kayla, Cayden, Braden, Alyna, and Billy Jr.
In addition, his dad moved from Hawaii to Alaska in 1990, and his mom grew up in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost place in the United States. He spent his early years in Barrow before moving to Anchorage.
Playing various sports, he attended Dimond High School in Anchorage, playing football until his senior season's first game. He then finished high school at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon.
While at Dimond, college football teams didn't show much interest, but after transferring to Westview, he received many offers. Eventually, he committed to playing for the USC Trojans.
Pili, who plays as a defensive tackle, started at USC weighing 345 pounds during his first year. He got a lot of playing time, appearing in nine games, two as a starter, and made 14 tackles, including blocking a field goal. In the next year, he played in all 12 games, had two starts, and made 12 tackles with a sack.
Moving to 2019, he played in 13 games, making 18 tackles, three pass breakups, and forcing a fumble. The COVID-19-shortened 2020 season saw Pili with five tackles in four games. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2021 season due to an Achilles tendon tear before it started.
In his last year, 2022, he dropped his weight to 315 pounds. Playing in 14 games, he had a career-best 25 tackles, along with one sack and a pass breakup. Pili wrapped up his college career with 74 tackles, 10 for a loss, and four sacks in 52 games played.
Brandon Pili didn't get picked in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the Miami Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent. He successfully secured a spot on the team's final roster, marking the first time an Alaskan made it to an NFL roster since 2014.
Although he was waived on November 4, he was quickly re-signed to the practice squad just three days later. On January 15, 2024, he inked a reserve/future contract with the team.
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When it comes to his love life, Brandon Pili keeps things private, much like his focus on guarding the quarterback. He hasn't officially shared if he's in a relationship, leaving fans and reporters guessing. This secrecy might be because he's all about football, putting his energy into getting better and giving his best on the field.
Brandon seems to prefer keeping his personal and professional lives separate. Unlike some athletes who enjoy being in the spotlight, he lets his game do the talking. His free time is for his closest family, friends, and teammates.
On social media, he shares his football journey, skills, and Alaskan roots, but you won't find much about his romantic life. Right now, it's clear that Brandon's heart is in the game and with those supporting him from the sidelines.
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