Marte Mapu

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Marte Mapu was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round (76th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2025 (17/0, 3/0) 

• Serves as a rotational linebacker and contributes on special teams on punt and kickoff coverage 
• Recorded his third career interception at Miami (9/14) when he ended the Dolphins' fourth-quarter drive by intercepting QB Tua Tagovailoa on a pass intended for WR Malik Washington on a fourth-and-9 situation. Had a 20-yard return that helped lead to a 53-yard field goal by K Andy Borregales.
• Had a career-high 8 tackles at Tennessee (10/19). 
• Finished with one assisted special teams tackle vs. the New York Giants (12/1) to push his 2025 total to 10 special teams tackles. Joins S Brenden Schooler (12), LB Jack Gibbens (10) and LB Christian Elliss (14) with double-digit special teams tackles. The Patriots have had at least four players finish with 10 or more special teams tackles 15 times now, with the last time coming in 2011 with Matthew Slater (14), Tracy White (12), Kyle Arrington (11) and Sergio Brown (11). The team record since 1995 is from 2003, when eight players finished with at least 10 special teams tackles.

2024 (10/9)

• Began the season on Injured Reserve and was activated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 5.
• Played a significant role at safety once he returned from injury, starting in nine of the 10 games played he played in. Finished with 42 total tackles (21 solo, 21 assists), a half sack, 1 interception, 1 quarterback hit, 2 forced fumbles, 6 passes defensed and 4 special teams tackles and 1 forced fumble on special teams.
• Was inactive for three games, vs. the L.A. Rams (11/17), vs. Indianapolis (12/1) and at Arizona (12/15).
• Played in his first game of the 2024 season vs. Miami (10/6), starting at safety due to an injury to Jabrill Peppers, marking his second-career start and his first since Sept. 17, 2023 vs. Miami. Forced a fumble after S Brenden Schooler blocked a punt that was initially recovered by P Jake Bailey that was recovered by CB Isaiah Bolden.
• Recorded his first-career sack when he split a sack of QB C.J. Stroud with LB Christian Elliss on a third-down play in the second quarter for a 9-yard loss vs. Houston (10/13). Had a key deflection of a pass in the end zone that resulted in an interception by CB Marcus Jones in the second quarter.
• Forced a fumble in the fourth quarter at Miami (11/24) that led to CB Christian Gonzalez's 63-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, the defense's only score in 2024.
• Started at safety in place of the injured S Jabrill Peppers at Buffalo (12/22). Recorded his second-career interception, picking off QB Josh Allen in the back of the end zone in the second quarter.
• Started at safety vs. Buffalo (1/5/25) before leaving the game in the first quarter with an injury.

2023 (17/1)

• Played in all 17 games with one start, recording 14 tackles (9 solo, 5 assists), 1 interception, 1 forced fumble on special teams that was recovered by the team for a touchdown, 1 pass defensed and added 4 special teams tackles.
• Made his NFL debut as a reserve hybrid linebacker and participated on special teams for New England vs. Philadelphia (9/10). Tallied 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assist).
• Made his first NFL start at safety in a three-safety set vs. Miami (9/17).
• Had a special teams tackle in the second quarter vs. Washington (11/5) where he held WR Jameson Crowder to a 3-yard loss, pinning the Commanders inside their own 15 yard line.
• Made his first career interception vs. Kansas City (12/17) off a QB Patrick Mahomes pass in the second quarter and returned the pick 20 yards to the Kansas City 8-yard line. The Patriots converted the turnover into a 25-yard field goal.
• Forced a fumble on a kickoff return by WR Marvin Mimms Jr. that was recovered for a touchdown by DB Cody Davis in the third quarter at Denver (12/24) in a 26-23 win.

COLLEGE

• Named first team All-America by the Associated Press, Stats Perform and Athlon and was a second team choice by the AFCA and Phil Steele.
• Became just the second Hornet to be named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.
• Ranked second on the team with 76 total tackles in his 13 games.
• Earned Big Sky all-academic honors.

PERSONAL

• Graduated with a degree in sociology.
• Played several positions for Hawthorne High School during his career, lining up at quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, safety and cornerback.
• Pursuing a second BA in kinesiology.
• Son of Va'a Mapu and Renee Peneueta.