Vinnie Sunseri enters his first season as a defensive assistant with the New England Patriots in 2020. Sunseri joins the team after spending one year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Alabama, under coach Nick Saban.
Sunseri played safety in the NFL and was originally drafted by New Orleans in the fifth round (167th overall) and spent two seasons there. In 2014, he played in nine games, primarily on special teams, recording six special teams tackles. Sunseri missed the 2015 season due to injury. He had a brief stint with the New England Patriots, spending training camp with New England in 2016 and later spending time on the practice squad. In October of 2016, Sunseri was released by the Patriots and on Nov. 1, 2016, he signed to the 49ers practice squad. Shortly after, he was promoted to San Francisco's active roster, playing in six games and registering four defensive tackles. Sunseri also played collegiately at Alabama from 2011-13 recording 105 tackles, 1½ sacks, four interceptions, 12 passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
Vinnie Sunseri was born Oct. 25, 1991, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management from Alabama in 2015. His father, Sal Sunseri, is currently an outside linebackers coach at Alabama.
