Eku Leota

Eku Leota (born May 11, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northwestern before transferring to Auburn.

Early years
Leota grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and attended Asheville High School.

College career
Leota began his college football career at Northwestern and redshirted his true freshman season. He had 2.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman. Leota was named third-team All-Big Ten Conference during his redshirt sophomore season. He entered the NCAA transfer portal at the end of the regular season.

Leota ultimately transferred to Auburn. He made 23 tackles with ten tackles for loss and seven sacks in his first season with the team. Leota suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in the fifth game of the Tigers' 2022 season.

Professional career
Leota was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023. On August 29, 2023, he was waived for final roster cuts, but signed to the Panthers' practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 13, 2023.