Daniel Ekuale


Tanielu "Daniel" Ekuale is a Samoan American football defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played college football at Washington State.

Early life and high school

Ekuale was born and grew in Pago Pago, American Samoa and attended Nuuuli Technical High School. 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.

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 and a sack. Ekuale entered his redshirt senior season on the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and made 17 tackles and one sack while starting 12 of WSU's 13 games. He finished his collegiate career with 71 total tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Professional career

Ekuale signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. He was waived at the end of training camp but re-signed to the Browns' practice squad on September 2, 2018. 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.
Ekuale signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 2, 2019 and made the 53-man roster out of training camp. Ekuale made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019 against the Tennessee Titans. 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.