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Neiko Thorpe
Neiko Thorpe
Neiko Thorpe
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‹ The template Infobox gridiron football biography is being considered for merging. ›

Neiko Thorpe (born February 1, 1990) is an American former professional football cornerback and coach. He is a defensive and special teams assistant for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was a member of the 2010 BCS National Championship team.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Thorpe attended Tucker High School in Tucker, Georgia, where he was selected Under Armour All-America team in his senior season. He registered 18 sacks as a junior, earning an honorable mention all-county. He had 64 tackles including six tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions, and forced a fumble as a senior. Thorpe also ran track at Tucker, posting personal-best times of 14.18 seconds in the 110m hurdles and 38.35 seconds in the 300m hurdles.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Thorpe was listed as the No. 35 safety in the nation in 2008.[1] He was rated as the 11th best cornerback in the nation by Scout.com and was ranked as the 53rd best player in Georgia by SuperPrep.

College career

[edit]

Thorpe played college football at Auburn. Thorpe played as a true freshman, contributing on special teams and at corner in 11 games with 29 total tackles. He was selected to the Coaches’ All SEC-Freshmen Team. In his first college game, he led the Tigers with seven tackles including five solo against Louisiana-Monroe. In his first career start, Thorpe recorded his first career interception and returned it 59 yards against Arkansas. He finished his freshman season tied for ninth-most tackles on the team—20 of them being solo stops. Neiko also tied for the second-most interceptions with two and most return interception yardage with 101 yards.

In 2009, Thorpe started all 13 games and had a total of 84 tackles, 56 of them being solo. With this breakout season, he was named Phil Steele’s Third-team Midseason All-SEC. In the first game of his sophomore season, he started at cornerback against Louisiana Tech. He continued to show contribution to the team when he totaled seven tackles, five of them being solo, in a victory against Mississippi State along with an interception against West Virginia that ended a scoring threat at the AU 25-yard line. Against Arkansas, he set a career-high of 11 tackles, 8 being solo tackles. Thorpe broke up two passes against UK, one against LSU, and one against Ole Miss which is credited[by whom?] to his speed and ability to make plays on the ball. Thorpe finished the year with a performance in the Outback Bowl vs. Northwestern. He had a career and team high of 14 tackles (13 solo) and also an interception. The last tackle came on the last play of the game, that prevented the game-winning touchdown on a fake field goal in overtime when he made a tackle just short of the goal line.

As a junior, Thorpe made the Coaches’ Second-team Preseason SEC and proved his preseason rank throughout the season by appearing and starting in 13 of 14 games. Halfway through the season, Thorpe almost tied his career high with 10 tackles—all were solo stops—and had one pass breakup. A few games later he beat his career high of tackles with 12 against Alabama and also had a tackle for loss for minus 1 yard and two PBUs. Thorpe and his team continued on to the SEC championship game vs. South Carolina and contributed four tackles. After the SEC Championship belonged to the Tigers, they took on Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game where Thorpe had a pair of tackles and one PBU, but he also gave up an 81-yard reception to Jeff Maehl. Thorpe finished college with a total of 279 tackles, 7 interceptions, 34 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and one touchdown.[2]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in
(1.86 m) 		198 lb
(90 kg) 		30+3⁄4 in
(0.78 m) 		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		 4.39 s 1.55 s 2.56 s 4.22 s 7.13 s 38.0 in
(0.97 m)		 11 ft 5 in
(3.48 m)		 4 reps
All values are from Auburn’s Pro Day[3][4]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

On April 30, 2012, Thorpe signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.[5] On August 31, 2012, he was released on the day of roster cuts.[6] On September 1, 2012, he was signed to the practice squad.[7] On October 6, 2012, he was promoted from practice squad to the active roster after the team released center Bryan Mattison.[8] On October 9, 2012, he was released after the team re-signed offensive lineman Bryan Mattison.[9] On November 11, 2012, he was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster after the team placed defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey on injured reserve.[10] During his time on the active roster, Thorpe played in nine games and totaled five solo tackles for the season. On August 25, 2013, he was cut by the Chiefs.[11]

Toronto Argonauts

[edit]

On September 6, 2013, Thorpe signed a practice roster agreement with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was activated on October 14 and started in the team's final five games including the East Final loss to Hamilton. He asked to be released by the Argonauts on January 14, 2014 as he continued to pursue NFL opportunities.

Oakland Raiders

[edit]

Thorpe was signed by the Oakland Raiders as a reserve/future free agent, January 13, 2014.[12] He impressed the Raiders during training camp and preseason and made the team after the final cuts to the 53-man roster on August 30, 2014. On September 3, 2016, Thorpe was waived by the team as part of final roster cuts.[13]

Indianapolis Colts

[edit]

One day after his release from the Raiders, Thorpe was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on September 4, 2016.[14] He was released by the Colts on September 6, 2016.[15]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

On September 13, 2016, Thorpe was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[16] On March 14, 2017, Thorpe re-signed with the Seahawks.[17] Since signing with the team Thorpe has been a permanent fixture on Seattle’s special teams unit where he has been regarded as one of the best gunners in the league. Neiko Thorpe was special teams captain for the Seahawks.

On March 23, 2019, Thorpe re-signed with the Seahawks.[18] On December 6, 2019, Thorpe underwent season-ending sports hernia surgery.[19] He was placed on injured reserve on December 11, 2019.[20]

Thorpe re-signed with the Seahawks on April 13, 2020.[21] He was placed on injured reserve on October 7, 2020, with a hip injury.[22] He was activated on November 14, 2020,[23] but was placed back on injured reserve four days later with a groin injury.[24]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Neiko Thorpe

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Neiko Thorpe (born February 1, 1990) is an coach and former professional who played in the () for eight seasons from 2012 to 2020. A native of , Thorpe played college football at , where he contributed to the team's 2011 as a member of the secondary. Undrafted out of college, he began his NFL career with the in 2012 before stints with the (2014–2015) and primarily the (2016–2020), appearing in 88 games with 100 total tackles, one , nine passes defended, and three fumble recoveries. Transitioning to after his playing days, Thorpe joined the Seahawks' staff in 2022 as a coaching intern, advanced to defensive assistant in 2023, served in player engagement and football operations in 2024, and returned in 2025 as defensive assistant and special teams assistant.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Neiko Thorpe was born on February 1, 1990, in . Although born in the Midwest, he spent much of his early years in the Atlanta suburb of , where his family relocated, shaping his formative environment in a diverse, suburban community. Thorpe's family dynamics were profoundly influenced by health challenges, particularly cancer, which affected close relatives and friends during his childhood. His aunt, Cheryl Walker, whom he regarded as a second mother, succumbed to cancer early in his professional career, while his grandmother also died from . Additionally, in , Thorpe supported his childhood best friend and fellow after Clark's mother, known to Thorpe as "Mama Clark," passed away from colon cancer; the two families were so intertwined that their mothers treated each other's sons like their own. These experiences instilled in Thorpe a deep awareness of illness's toll on loved ones, later guiding his involvement in cancer awareness initiatives like the NFL's Crucial Catch campaign.

High school career

Neiko Thorpe attended Tucker High School in , where he developed as a versatile capable of playing both and positions. Growing up in Georgia with strong family support enabled Thorpe to dedicate significant time to football and other sports during his formative years. As a senior in 2007, Thorpe earned selection to the team, highlighting his standout performance on the field. That season, he recorded 64 tackles—including six for loss—along with 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, and one forced fumble, demonstrating his disruptive presence in the secondary. Measuring 6 feet 2 inches tall and 185 pounds, Thorpe's lanky yet athletic frame and speed made him a prime recruit, earning him rankings as the No. 11 nationally and No. 60 overall prospect in the Southeast region. Scouting reports praised his , , and to cover receivers or contribute in run support, positioning him as a hybrid defender with college potential. Thorpe's recruitment drew interest from multiple programs, but he ultimately committed to in 2008, drawn by the opportunity to play in the and develop his versatile skill set.

College career

2008–2009 seasons

Thorpe enrolled at in 2008 as part of the Tigers' highly touted recruiting class, majoring in while transitioning to the position in the competitive (SEC). As a true in 2008 under Paul , Thorpe appeared in 11 games without a start, focusing on development amid Auburn's rebuilding secondary; he recorded 29 tackles (20 solo) and two for 101 yards, including a 59-yard return against that highlighted his ball skills early in his college career. His high school versatility across roles aided his quick adaptation to the SEC's physicality and speed. In his sophomore season of 2009, with taking over as and implementing a more aggressive 4-3 scheme, Thorpe earned a starting role and appeared in all 13 games, posting a breakout year with 84 tackles (58 solo), 9 pass deflections, and two interceptions for 22 yards. This performance established him as a key contributor to Auburn's improved defense, which ranked among the SEC's top units in pass defense, allowing 218.0 passing yards per game.

2010–2011 seasons

In 2010, Neiko Thorpe had a breakout junior season as a starting for the , appearing in all 14 games with 12 starts. He recorded 64 total tackles, including 45 solo stops, and led the team with 8 pass deflections, ranking third in the for that category. His contributions in the secondary were integral to Auburn's perfect 14-0 record and victory in the , a 22-19 win over on January 10, 2011. Entering his senior year, Thorpe transitioned from to under , adapting to a more versatile role in the defensive backfield amid roster changes following the championship season. In , he started all 13 games, delivering a career-best performance with 102 total tackles (51 solo), 3 interceptions for 66 yards, and 6 pass deflections, showcasing his range and tackling prowess from the safety position. Thorpe's collegiate tenure at Auburn spanned 51 games with 27 starts, where he amassed 279 total tackles, 7 interceptions, and 14 pass deflections, establishing himself as a reliable defender during the program's successful era.

Professional playing career

Kansas City Chiefs

Thorpe signed with the as an undrafted free agent on May 14, . In his 2012 rookie season, Thorpe was initially waived during final roster cuts on August 31 but subsequently signed to the team's practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 12 following an injury to defensive end Glenn Dorsey. Thorpe appeared in nine games without a start, contributing primarily on special teams with five tackles. His versatility in that role drew from experience gained during Auburn's 2010 BCS National Championship-winning campaign. Thorpe returned for the 2013 preseason, but an injury restricted him to one game appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24. His time that year emphasized development through training camp and practice sessions. The Chiefs released him on August 25 as part of final roster reductions.

Toronto Argonauts

Following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs, Neiko Thorpe signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in September 2013. His background in NFL special teams helped prepare him for versatile roles on defense and special teams in the CFL. Thorpe appeared in two regular-season games and one playoff contest during the 2013 season, contributing six tackles and one fumble recovery across defensive and special teams duties. The finished first in the East Division with an 11-7 record and advanced to the , which they won 35-22 over the . Thorpe's exposure to CFL-specific rules, including the wider 110-yard field and the single-point rouge convert, provided valuable experience in adapting to international professional football. Thorpe was released by the Argonauts in May 2014, allowing him to pursue further opportunities in the .

Oakland Raiders

Thorpe signed with the as a reserve/future on January 13, 2014, following his stint in the Canadian Football League. During the 2014 season, he earned a spot on the 53-man roster and appeared in 14 games without a start, primarily contributing on special teams with 299 snaps (68% of the team's total) and limited defensive involvement of 57 snaps (6%). In those games, Thorpe recorded 8 total tackles (7 solo) and 1 pass deflection, establishing himself as a depth player in the secondary. In , Thorpe's role expanded significantly as a rotational defender, starting 2 games and playing all 14 contests while logging 457 defensive snaps (46% of team total) alongside 216 special teams snaps (52%). His increased defensive participation yielded 40 total tackles (37 solo), 6 pass deflections, and 1 , highlighting his growth into a more versatile contributor on the Raiders' defense. Thorpe re-signed with the team as a in March 2016 via a second-round tender worth $2.553 million, positioning him to compete for continued depth roles in the secondary. Thorpe accepted a pay cut in August 2016 to remain on the roster but was ultimately released by the Raiders on September 3, 2016, during final cuts as the team finalized its 53-man roster.

Indianapolis Colts

Thorpe was claimed off waivers by the from the on September 3, 2016, to provide depth at and on special teams units. He was waived by the Colts just two days later on September 5, 2016, to make room for outside linebacker Akeem Ayers. Thorpe did not appear in any games during his brief tenure with the team and recorded no statistics. This short stint followed his release from the Raiders and preceded his signing with the a week later.

Seattle Seahawks

Thorpe joined the on September 13, 2016, signing to the active roster after being waived by the Indianapolis Colts earlier that month. During his five seasons with the from 2016 to 2020, Thorpe appeared in 51 games without recording a start, primarily contributing as a reserve and special teams player. He tallied 35 solo tackles, 12 assists, and no interceptions in defensive snaps, while excelling on special teams with 28 tackles over that span—the most on the team during those years. Thorpe logged significant special teams snaps, including 258 in 2016 and 266 in 2018, often ranking among the team's leaders in coverage unit participation. A key asset on special teams, Thorpe served as the gunner on punt coverage units, earning recognition for his tackling and downfield speed. In 2016, he led the Seahawks with 10 special teams tackles, and he was voted special teams co-captain in 2018 and captain in 2019. His contributions helped stabilize Seattle's coverage units, where he recovered three fumbles over his career. Thorpe re-signed with the Seahawks multiple times, including one-year deals in March 2017, March 2019, and April 2020, reflecting his value to the team despite limited defensive playing time due to injuries in later years. He played just seven games in 2019 before a core muscle injury sidelined him, and appeared in three games in 2020 prior to another hip injury placement on injured reserve. Thorpe became an unrestricted in March 2021 and was not re-signed by the Seahawks, marking the end of his eight-year playing career, during which he recorded one career with the in 2015.

Coaching career

2022–2023

In 2022, Neiko Thorpe transitioned from his playing career to , joining the Seattle Seahawks as a coaching intern. This entry-level role marked his initial involvement with the team's defensive staff, where he began applying his football knowledge in a supportive capacity. Thorpe's prior tenure as a Seahawks from 2016 to 2020 provided insider knowledge that facilitated his smooth entry into coaching, allowing him to build rapport with players based on shared experiences in the era. By the end of the season, his contributions led to a promotion for the following year. In 2023, Thorpe advanced to a full-time defensive assistant, focusing primarily on the secondary unit. His responsibilities included daily player interactions, such as meetings and development sessions, where he mentored young defensive backs by drawing on his five seasons of experience, including his time as a special teams captain from 2018 to 2020. This role emphasized film study and technique refinement to support the growth of emerging talents in the defensive backfield.

2024–present

In 2024, Neiko Thorpe transitioned to the role of player engagement and football operations assistant with the , where he focused on supporting former players through transition programs and managing logistical aspects of team operations. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, Thorpe was re-hired in February 2025 as a defensive assistant and special teams assistant under head coach , marking his return to on-field coaching duties after his administrative stint. In this dual role, Thorpe assists with the defensive backs and special teams units. As of the 2025 season, Thorpe continues in this role.

Personal life

Family

Neiko Thorpe is married to Maegan Thorpe, a native of ; the exact date of their marriage is not publicly specified, but the couple has been together since at least 2016. The couple has two daughters; their second daughter, Nora, was born on September 13, 2016, coinciding with Thorpe's signing to the practice squad shortly after his brief stint with the earlier that month. During Thorpe's playing tenure with the from 2016 to 2020, the family relocated to the area, allowing him to balance his commitments with family responsibilities, including support during career transitions between teams. The family currently resides in the greater Seattle region, where Thorpe actively participates in his daughters' activities, such as soccer games and spelling bees.

Philanthropy and community involvement

Neiko Thorpe has been a supporter of Mary's Place, a Seattle-area dedicated to providing , housing, and support services to homeless families with children. In November 2018, Thorpe, along with teammate Delano Hill, purchased and delivered groceries to 12 families at the organization's Burien shelter, ensuring they had a holiday meal. He continued his involvement by visiting the shelter during subsequent holidays, bringing food and gifts to families in need, often accompanied by his wife. Thorpe's philanthropic efforts also include advocacy for cancer awareness, particularly motivated by family health challenges such as the loss of his aunt to breast cancer and his grandmother's battle with the same disease. In 2017, he participated in the NFL's Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign, wearing specialized gear to raise awareness for multiple cancers, including breast and colon varieties, during Seattle Seahawks games. He extended this commitment in 2019 by selecting the American Cancer Society for the league's My Cause, My Cleats initiative, where players customize their footwear to highlight personal causes and support related fundraisers for cancer research and prevention. As part of his community involvement with the , Thorpe has engaged in various team-sponsored events focused on development and health initiatives. He has served as a special guest at fundraisers tied to the Crucial Catch program and volunteered in for the team's annual community outreach trip, interacting with local and families. Additionally, Thorpe has led football clinics to promote and among children; notable examples include his role at the 2022 Bremerton Naval Base Youth Football and Cheer Camp and hosting the EZZZ Youth Football Camps in , in 2024 and 2025, which drew dozens of young participants from surrounding areas.

References

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  4. https://www.seahawks.com/team/coaches-roster/neiko-thorpe
  5. https://www.fieldgulls.com/2025/2/12/24364027/former-seattle-seahawks-defensive-back-neiko-thorpe-returns-nfl-news
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  8. https://www.seahawks.com/news/crucial-catch-campaign-personal-for-seahawks-cb-neiko-thorpe
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  14. https://www.footballdb.com/players/neiko-thorpe-thorpne01
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  60. https://www.seahawks.com/photos/photos-seahawks-travel-to-alaska-for-annual-community-trip
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