You remember the 2014 NFL Draft. It was the year of Clowney, Manziel, and a lot of high-stakes gambling on potential. But if you were a Houston Texans fan, you likely remember one name above almost everyone else: Xavier Su’a-Filo.
The Texans grabbed him at the very top of the second round—33rd overall. He was supposed to be the foundational piece for their offensive line. The "safe" pick. But as any football fan knows, "safe" doesn't always mean "star."
What Most People Get Wrong About Xavier Su’a-Filo
When fans talk about Xavier Su’a-Filo today, the word "bust" gets thrown around way too loosely. It’s kinda unfair, honestly. Sure, he wasn't a perennial Pro Bowler, but the man played eight seasons in the NFL. That’s a lifetime for an interior lineman.
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People think he just disappeared after Houston. Not true. He played meaningful snaps for the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a survivor.
The UCLA Foundation and the Mormon Mission
Xavier Su’a-Filo wasn't just another recruit at UCLA. He was a force. He started 13 games as a true freshman at left tackle—the first Bruin to do that on the offensive line since the legendary Jonathan Ogden. Think about that for a second.
Then, he did something you don't see every day in high-level college football. He walked away.
From 2010 to 2011, he served a Mormon mission in Florida and South Alabama. He wasn't in the weight room; he was riding a bike and talking to people. When he came back in 2012, he didn't miss a beat. He won the Morris Trophy in 2013, given to the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 as voted on by the defensive linemen who actually had to play against him.
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The NFL Reality Check
Coming into the league, the expectations were sky-high. Houston needed help, and Su’a-Filo was built like a safe—6-foot-4, over 300 pounds, and surprisingly agile.
But the jump to the pros is brutal. He struggled early with pass protection. In Houston, he was part of a revolving door of offensive line combinations.
By the time he hit Dallas in 2018, he’d basically become a high-end "glue guy." He stepped in for an injured Connor Williams and actually stabilized things for Dak Prescott. He was physical. He was nasty. He played the game the way old-school coaches love.
A Career Defined by Resilience
- Houston Texans (2014–2017): The starting years. He was a regular, starting 41 games.
- Dallas Cowboys (2018–2019): The redemption arc. He proved he could play at a high level when the pressure was on.
- Cincinnati Bengals (2020–2021): The final chapter. Injuries started to stack up—ankles, knees, the works.
Where is Xavier Su’a-Filo Now?
If you think he’s sitting on a couch, you’re wrong. As of early 2026, Xavier Su’a-Filo has transitioned into the coaching world. He’s currently the offensive line coach for the Dallas Renegades in the UFL.
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It makes sense. Guys who had to fight for every snap often make the best teachers. They understand the nuance of the game better than the "naturals" who never struggled. He’s working under Rick Neuheisel, his old college coach, which is a pretty cool full-circle moment.
The Legacy of Number 71
Su’a-Filo's career is a lesson in perspective. We judge draft picks by their proximity to the Hall of Fame. But if you play nearly a decade in the trenches and then land a professional coaching gig, you’ve won the game of football.
He stayed fluent in Spanish (thanks to that mission), stayed disciplined, and now he’s molding the next generation of linemen.
If you're following his new career path in the UFL, watch the Renegades' offensive line. You'll see the "physical and nasty" style he used to admire in players like Logan Mankins.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the Dallas Renegades schedule for the 2026 UFL season to see his coaching in action.
- Look for his interviews on coaching philosophy; he’s often praised for his ability to translate complex blocking schemes into simple terms.
- Keep an eye on the NFL coaching carousel—don't be surprised if a team brings him back as an assistant in the next few years.