John Penisini

John Nau Penisini (born May 31, 1997) is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Snow College before transferring to Utah and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

John Penisini
Personal information
Born: (1997-05-31) May 31, 1997
California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:335 lb (152 kg)
Career information
High school:West Jordan
(West Jordan, Utah)
College:
Position:Nose tackle
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 6 / Pick: 197
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:46
Sacks:1.0
Pass deflections:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and college career

Penisini was born in California to Tongan immigrant parents.[1][2] He moved with his family to Utah when he was eight and graduated from West Jordan High School in West Jordan, Utah.[3] Penisini began his collegiate career at Snow College. During his freshman season, he recorded 40 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. Following the season he was named an All-Western States Football League honorable mention.[4] He transferred to Utah for his sophomore season and sat out the 2016 season.[5] During the 2017 season, Penisini played in 12 games, including one start, where he recorded four tackles and one sack.

During the 2018 season, Penisini played in all 14 games, where he recorded seven tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and 38 tackles. His 38 tackles ranked second on the team. During the 2018 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, he recorded three tackles and a blocked field goal in a 3–10 loss to Washington. Following the season, he was named to the second-team All-Pac 12.[6] During the 2019 season, Penisini played in all 14 games, with 13 starts, where he recorded seven tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 38 tackles. His two forced fumbles tied for the team lead, and ranked eighth in the Pac-12 Conference.[7] He was named the Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for the week ending November 4, 2019, after he tied his career-high in tackles with seven that included a sack and a forced fumble in a 33–28 victory over Washington.[8] Following the season, he was again named to the second-team All-Pac 12.[9]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span20-yard shuttleVertical jumpBench press
6 ft 1+3⁄8 in
(1.86 m)		 318 lb
(144 kg)		 32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		4.93 s25.5 in
(0.65 m)		23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]

Detroit Lions

Penisini was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.[12] On May 22, 2020, the Lions signed Penisini to a four-year contract.[13]

In Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, Penisini recorded his first career sack on P. J. Walker during the 20–0 loss.[14] In Week 13 against the Chicago Bears, Penisini recovered a fumble forced by teammate Romeo Okwara on Mitchell Trubisky late in the fourth quarter to set up the Lions’ game winning touchdown during the 34–30 win.[15]

Penisini announced his retirement from professional football on June 11, 2022.[16]

Carolina Panthers

On April 10, 2023, Penisini came out of retirement and signed with Carolina Panthers.[17] He was waived due to a failed physical on August 1, 2023.[18]

References
  1. Williams, Lauren (April 25, 2020). "4 things to know about Lions' 6th-round pick John Penisini". MLive.com. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  2. "GET TO KNOW: Defensive lineman John Penisini". Detroit Lions. July 23, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  3. "John Penisini". UtahUtes.com. University of Utah. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  4. Wood, Trent (September 4, 2018). "Defensive tackle John Penisini a surprising standout in Utah's season-opener". Deseret News. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  5. McDonald, Ryan (March 2, 2016). "Utah football receives commitment from Snow College DL John Penisini". Deseret News. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  6. "Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced". pac-12.com. December 4, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  7. Genessy, Jody (April 23, 2020). "Who is John Penisini? Utah defensive tackle works his way into position for NFL draft consideration". Deseret News. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week 10". pac-12.com. November 4, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  9. "Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced". pac-12.com. December 10, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  10. "John Penisini Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  11. "John Penisini, Utah, DT, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  12. Birkett, Dave (April 25, 2020). "New Detroit Lions DT John Penisini calls himself 'most slept on' player in draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  13. Monarrez, Carlos (May 18, 2020). "Detroit Lions agree to terms with DT John Penisini, a sixth-round pick from Utah". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  14. "Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers - November 22nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  15. "Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  16. "Lions' John Penisini announces his retirement". NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  17. "Panthers to sign John Penisini". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  18. "Panthers waive two to get to roster limit". Panthers.com. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
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