Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Brandon Pili recorded two tackles in Sunday’s 70-20 win over Denver, making him the first Alaskan to record a tackle in the NFL since Zach Bowman, eight years ago.
It also made him our Alaska Athlete of the Week.
The 6-foot-3, 316-pound Alaskan wrapped up Denver running back Jaleel McLaughlin twice, including a solo stop to force a third down.
Pili played a season-high 14 snaps on defense compared to a total of 11 in the previous two games combined. The former Dimond High star has also logged another 13 snaps on special teams.
Pili, 24, made the Dolphins as an undrafted pick-up out of the University of Southern California, where he played in 52 games, the most for an Alaskan in the Pac-12 Conference.
He’s now one of a half dozen Alaska defensive players to record a tackle in the NFL.
The Alaska Athlete of the Week is selected by a panel each Monday.
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org.
Also receiving votes: Palmer HS runner Fischer Adams, West HS quarter back Azariah Atonio, Colony HS kicker Johnny Figgins, Eagle River lineman Dawson Myers, Chugiak quarterback Ann Rajek