Mapalo Mwansa

Last updated
Mapalo Mwansa
No. 58 – Carolina Panthers
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2004-04-02) April 2, 2004 (age 21)
Peterborough, England
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad/international

Mapalo Mwansa (born April 2, 2004) is a British American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He came through the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program for 2025.

Contents

Career

Mwansa grew up playing a lot of different sports and began powerlifting while at Loughborough University. He was scouted by a local football coach and took a "crash course" in the sport involving Netflix series Last Chance U and Quarterback, soon joined the school program and Great Britain National Team as a defensive end and linebacker as well as playing for Nottingham Caesars. [1] [2] [3] Mwansa was part of the Great Britain Men's National Programme squad for the IFAF European Tackle Championship qualifiers in October 2024. [4] He was named as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway in December 2024. [5] [6]

On April 28, 2025, Mwansa signed with the Carolina Panthers. [3] He was waived on August 26, and re-signed to the practice squad. [7] [8]

Personal life

Mwansa is an English native of Zambian descent. [9] He grew up in Peterborough, England, [3] and studied economics at Loughborough University. Mwansa ran 10.4 seconds for the 100 metres, and a 4.45-second 40-yard dash time.

References

  1. Pioli, Scott (Mar 17, 2025). "Four NFL prospects to watch at 2025 International Player Pathway program pro day". NFL.com. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  2. "After a crash course in football from 'Last Chance U,' Mapalo Mwansa hopes to walk NFL draft stage". apnews. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Panthers sign pass rusher through NFL's International Player Pathway Program". Panthers Wire. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  4. "GREAT BRITAIN MEN ANNOUNCE 75-MAN SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS". britishamericanfootball.org. July 29, 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  5. Maaddi, Rob (10 December 2024). "Jamaican Olympic discus champion and Australian rugby star look to break into the NFL". AP News. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  6. "Irish kickers named on NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway programme". Sky Sports. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  7. Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2025). "Panthers make moves to get to the 53-man roster". Panthers.com.
  8. Gantt, Darin (August 27, 2025). "Panthers add 13 players to practice squad". Panthers.com.
  9. "Petaia, Stona & Sexton named in NFL's 2025 IPP class". BBC Sport. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.