Tag: brandon pili

Alissa Pili, sister of Dolphins DT, picked in 1st round of WNBA draft

Alissa Pili, whose older brother is a defensive tackle with the Miami Dolphins, is the newest member of the Lynx.

Alissa Pili, the younger sister of Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Brandon Pili, was picked with the No. 8 overall selection by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA draft.

In three seasons with the USC Trojans and two with the Utah Utes, Alissa Pili earned All-Pac-12 honors three times and was the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2023. As a senior, she averaged 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

With the Lynx she joins a roster led by Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride that finished with a 19-21 record last season.

Pili’s brother, Brandon, spent his collegiate career at USC and signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023. When he made the 53-man roster later that year, he became the first native Alaskan on an NFL’s regular season roster in nearly a decade.

The Dolphins later waived Pili in November and re-signed him to their practice squad where he stayed for the remainder of the year. In January, Pili was signed by Miami to a reserve/futures contract.

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Dolphins sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts after 2023 season

Here’s who’s sticking around from the practice squad.

With the Miami Dolphins 2023 officially coming to a close on Saturday, the restrictions that force teams to keep their active rosters at 53 players are lifted, allowing teams to sign up to 90 players.

Once a team is eliminated from the playoffs, they can sign a number of players to reserve/futures contracts which adds them to the active roster through the spring and summer.

On Monday, the Dolphins signed these eight players from their practice squad to such deals:

Grading the Dolphins’ 2023 rookie class heading into the bye week

A look at Miami’s rookie class through nine games.

The Miami Dolphins have begun their season with a 6-3 record through their first nine games, but their three losses have come against the three best teams they’ve faced so far this year.

This Week 10 bye comes at a perfect time for Miami to rest and recover after a defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany.

With this also being roughly the halfway point in the season, it’s a great time to reflect on some of the performances that the team had had this year.

Today, we’ll take a look at Miami’s rookie class through nine games.

Dolphins swap DL on the practice squad

Miami moves on from a DL, brings another back.

On Saturday, the Miami Dolphins had to do some roster managing with left tackle Terron Armstead returning from injured reserve.

To open a spot for him on the 53-man roster, Miami chose to waive undrafted rookie defensive lineman Brandon Pili, who had impressed in camp.

Now, on Tuesday, they’ve opted to re-sign Pili to their practice squad after he went unclaimed. However, to open up a spot for him, they had to release someone, and the team chose defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence.

Lawrence was signed to Miami’s practice squad following roster cuts after a three-year stint with the Arizona Cardinals. He was never elevated to the active roster for a game.

Dolphins activate LT Terron Armstead from IR

Miami appears to be getting their LT back for Sunday.

The Miami Dolphins are starting to get healthier with each week that comes, as they’ve activated left tackle Terron Armstead from injured reserve on Saturday.

Armstead was placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Since then, Miami has had Kendall Lamm filling in, and he’s done so admirably.

To make room for Armstead, the Dolphins have waived undrafted rookie defensive lineman Brandon Pili, who could certainly end up back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The veteran’s return is great news for an offensive line that’s been extremely banged up throughout the first eight games. The group will already be without both starting guards, Isaiah Wynn and Robert Hunt, against the Kansas City Chiefs this week, so having an experienced captain back at his spot should help.

Former Trojan Brandon Pili makes Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster

What a great accomplishment for Brandon Pili, making an NFL roster after being undrafted. That’s the #FightOn spirit!

NFL teams made their final roster cuts earlier this week. As rosters were shaved down to 53 players, Anchorage (Alaska) native Brandon Pili made the cut. He is officially a member of the Miami Dolphins for the 2023 NFL season.

The 23-year-old defensive lineman went undrafted out of USC but proved himself throughout training camp and the preseason to Miami coaches. He has the opportunity to be a solid defensive lineman for a team with huge expectations.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound defensive tackle had this to say about the Fins:

Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler and Raekwon Davis have been “like the big brothers I never had,” Pili explained. “They stay on me, help me with technique. Coach Austin [Clark] is a great coach.”

Pili was productive in 14 games for USC with 25 total tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack and a pass defended.

Let’s wish Brandon the best and see what his future holds. He has a promising career ahead of him with Miami.

Check out our Pac-12 football predictions roundtable for the 2023 season.

Dolphins Wire UDFA Player Profile: DL Brandon Pili

Miami has room for depth at the position.

Continuing our look at the Miami Dolphins’ undrafted free agent class of 2023, we’ve already looked at San Diego State center Alama Uluave and Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.

Focusing again on defense, and a position that could be considered thin for Miami in a depth sense, the Dolphins may have a need for a nose tackle-type defensive lineman who can man the zero-technique. This is an area in which new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could have a keen eye on how he wants his defensive linemen to mind the gaps.

The Dolphins brought in a few undrafted rookies on the defensive line, edge rushers mainly, but the man in the middle of interest is USC’s Brandon Pili, who Miami signed to a contract that included $100,000 guaranteed following the draft process.

Spending five seasons as a Trojan, the defensive tackle, who can play that zero-tech nose, is an intriguing player to track this summer. He was heading into his senior season in 2021, but an Achilles injury derailed what could have been a draft-worthy campaign four games into the season. However, the year out had him return as a fifth-year senior last season. Pili was productive in 14 games with 25 total tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack and a pass defended.

While primarily taking on blockers in the A-gap and dealing in run-stopping, pass-rushing is an area that Pili will need to improve but shows some promise. He possesses a decent combination of size, at 6-foot-3, quickness off the snap and agility, as he moves well at 345 pounds.

Pili could be a presence in stopping the run, occupying multiple blockers, with the ability to shed and create tackle-for-loss opportunities before a runner can break through the line of scrimmage. In terms of getting to the quarterback overall, Pili tallied 19 pressures for USC last season, which includes 15 hurries, three quarterback hits and a sack.

Lacking elite closing speed in chase situations, manning the interior could be a better road for Pili, as he seems to be much better suited as a nose tackle than an edge rusher.

He does possess quality athleticism, and he has the toughness and football mentality to fight in the trenches making him a tough man to move when he gains leverage. Pili projects as a practice squad candidate and could be a player who can be molded into a solid defensive lineman with proper coaching.

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Brandon Pili will try to stick on the Dolphins’ roster and join Austin Jackson as a Miami Trojan

Brandon Pili’s college career was limited by injuries. If his body cooperates, he has a realistic path to an NFL career.

Former USC defensive lineman Brandon Pili joins Austin Jackson as a former Trojan on the Miami Dolphins’ roster. It will be Pili’s goal to stick on the roster and show that he can give the Dolphins lasting value.

Pili was signed as a UDFA by the Dolphins to add some depth up front for Mike McDaniels in 2023.

The longtime USC defensive tackle boasts impressive size at 6-foot-3 and 345 pounds. Injuries reduced playing time for Pili, but he flashed signs of his potential when he was healthy.

Pili recorded 15 tackles with 15 QB pressures and a sack in 2022. He was a former three-star prospect from Dimond High in Anchorage (Ak.), where he started three years at defensive tackles.

He has 49 tackles, including 7.5 for losses (with 2.5 sacks), 3 deflections, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal in his career.  He has appeared in 38 games in his career, starting five times.

I think Pili makes the practice squad as a backup defensive lineman if he stay healthy in camp. Pili’s work ethic was widely lauded by USC coaches. He did not fail to give maximum effort on the field. Health has been his main limitation. If his body cooperates, Pili can make something of his professional ambitions.

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Brandon Pili signs UDFA deal with Miami Dolphins

Brandon Pili gets a chance to prove himself with the #Dolphins.

The USC Trojans produced four NFL draft picks in 2023: Jordan Addison went to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, followed by Tuli Tuipulotu (second round, Los Angeles Chargers), Mekhi Blackmon (third round, Vikings), and Andrew Vorhees (seventh round, Baltimore Ravens).

After those draft picks came and went, the focus shifted to undrafted free agent deals. Travis Dye found one with the New York Jets. Elsewhere in the AFC East, former USC defensive lineman Brandon Pili was able to ink a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Pili’s USC career was interrupted by injuries. We didn’t get to see the full measure of what he could do. Yet, Pili’s work ethic was outstanding and coaches had great things to say about him. All Pili could reasonably ask for was a chance to prove himself in the NFL. The Dolphins have given him that opportunity.

Pili joins Austin Jackson as a former Trojan on the Miami roster.

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