Mapalo Mwansa
| No. 58 – Carolina Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Roster status | International |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 2, 2004 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 | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
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.
Career
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ Pioli, Scott (Mar 17, 2025). "Four NFL prospects to watch at 2025 International Player Pathway program pro day". NFL.com. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c "Panthers sign pass rusher through NFL's International Player Pathway Program". Panthers Wire. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "GREAT BRITAIN MEN ANNOUNCE 75-MAN SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS". britishamericanfootball.org. July 29, 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Irish kickers named on NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway programme". Sky Sports. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2025). "Panthers make moves to get to the 53-man roster". Panthers.com.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 27, 2025). "Panthers add 13 players to practice squad". Panthers.com.
- ^ "Petaia, Stona & Sexton named in NFL's 2025 IPP class". BBC Sport. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.