Introduction
Nobody expected much from Nazir Stackhouse when the Green Bay Packers signed him as an undrafted free agent in May 2025. He was a raw prospect — big, powerful, but unproven at the NFL level. Then injuries gave him his chance. And Stackhouse delivered enough to make the Packers genuinely excited about what comes next.
In 2026, Stackhouse is healthy, active, and competing for a meaningful role on one of the NFL’s most interesting defensive lines. This is his complete story — where he came from, what he has shown, and why Packer fans should be paying close attention this season.
Nazir Stackhouse: Quick Facts
The Essential Profile
Here are the key facts about Nazir Stackhouse heading into the 2026 NFL season:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nazir Phahee Stackhouse |
| Nickname | Nazir — First name pronounced NAH-zeer |
| Date of Birth | April 18, 2002 |
| Age in 2026 | 24 years old |
| Birthplace | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | 327 pounds |
| Position | Nose Tackle / Defensive Tackle |
| College | University of Georgia |
| NFL Draft | 2025 — Undrafted |
| Current Team | Green Bay Packers |
| Jersey Number | 93 |
| Famous Cousin | Jerry Stackhouse — 18-year NBA veteran |
One detail that catches people’s attention immediately is his famous family connection. Nazir Stackhouse’s cousin is Jerry Stackhouse — the former NBA All-Star who played 18 seasons from 1995 to 2013 and is now pursuing a head coaching career in the NBA. Athletic excellence clearly runs in the family.
Nazir Stackhouse: The Road to Green Bay
High School — Three Schools, One Destination
Stackhouse’s path to the NFL started at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia, Georgia where he played football and track and field as a freshman. He then transferred to Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia — helping lead his team to a 9-2 record and a Region 4-6A title as a junior. He earned all-state second-team honors that year.
For his senior season, he transferred again — this time to Columbia High School in Decatur, Georgia. The move paid off immediately. He earned Class 5A all-state first-team recognition from the Georgia Sports Writers Association and was named the 2019 Region Defensive Player of the Year. Three high schools. Three states. One trajectory pointing straight toward elite football.
College Career at Georgia
Stackhouse chose the University of Georgia — and he chose well. The Bulldogs were the dominant program in college football during his time there. He played five seasons at Georgia from 2020 to 2024, appearing in 59 games with 42 starts.
His college statistics tell the story of a dependable interior presence rather than a flashy pass rusher:
| College Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 59 |
| Career Starts | 42 |
| Total Tackles | 96 |
| Solo Tackles | 46 |
| Tackles for Loss | 9 |
| Sacks | 3 |
| Passes Defensed | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
He also won two CFP National Championships with Georgia in 2021 and 2022 — meaning he knows what winning looks like at the highest level. He earned Second-Team All-SEC honors twice. He majored in family and consumer sciences.
Going Undrafted — And Landing in Green Bay
Despite his college success, Stackhouse went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is not unusual for interior defensive linemen — especially those who are more run-stoppers than pass rushers. The Green Bay Packers recognized his potential and signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2025.
Going undrafted is a motivating experience for most players. For Stackhouse, it appears to have been exactly that.
Nazir Stackhouse: His 2025 NFL Season
Stepping Into Opportunity
Stackhouse’s first NFL season was shaped largely by circumstances. The Green Bay Packers suffered significant injuries to their defensive line in 2025 — with both Devonte Wyatt and Stackhouse himself dealing with injury issues that defined their seasons.
Despite the injury challenges, Stackhouse played 13 games in his rookie campaign — a solid contribution for an undrafted player in his first season. He demonstrated enough to convince the Packers that he was worth developing further.
What He Showed on the Field
The assessment of Stackhouse from those who watched him closely in 2025 is consistent: he is clearly a capable contributor who very quickly could become a building block if there is any level of consistency as a rotational piece. That is not a ringing endorsement — but for a player who cost the Packers nothing in draft capital, showing enough to be considered a potential building block in year one is genuinely impressive.
His physical tools are not in question. At 6-4 and 327 pounds with long arms and good athleticism for his size, Stackhouse has the measurements of an NFL nose tackle. The 2026 season is about converting that physical potential into consistent on-field production.
Nazir Stackhouse: 2026 Season Updates
Coming Off the PUP List
The first significant Nazir Stackhouse news of the 2026 training camp season was his activation off the active/PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list on July 29, 2026. The Packers activated Stackhouse from the PUP list — clearing the way for him to participate fully in training camp activities.
The nature of his undisclosed injury was not specified by the team. However, his activation in late July meant he still had time to compete for a roster spot and playing time before the 2026 season began.
Training Camp Participation
After being activated from the PUP list, Stackhouse was seen participating in the Packers’ DreamDrive bicycle ride during the sixth day of training camp on August 4, 2026, outside Lambeau Field in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. His participation in team activities is a positive sign for both his health and his integration into the team.
The Competition for Playing Time
The 2026 Packers defensive line picture is more crowded than it was in 2025. Furthermore, Green Bay’s most significant defensive move of the 2026 offseason was signing veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave — a move that signals the front office’s desire for more proven production up front.
Here is the current Green Bay defensive line depth chart heading into 2026:
| Player | Position | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devonte Wyatt | Defensive Tackle | Active | Recovering from 2025 injury |
| Javon Hargrave | Defensive Tackle | Active | New 2026 signing — proven veteran |
| Nazir Stackhouse | Nose Tackle | Active | Off PUP — competing for role |
| Lukas Van Ness | Defensive End | Active | Developing young pass rusher |
Stackhouse’s path to significant playing time in 2026 runs through proving he can be more consistent than he was as a rookie. The Packers clearly believe the potential is there — otherwise they would not have retained him. But with Hargrave now in the mix, Stackhouse will need to earn his snaps.
Nazir Stackhouse: Why the Packers Are Excited
The Physical Foundation
At 24 years old and 327 pounds, Stackhouse has the size and athleticism that cannot be taught. His NFL Combine and Pro Day numbers paint a picture of a genuinely athletic interior lineman:
| Athletic Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 3.75 inches |
| Weight | 327 pounds |
| Arm Length | 32.5 inches |
| Hand Span | 10.25 inches |
| Wingspan | 6 ft 6.125 inches |
| 40-Yard Dash | 5.15 seconds |
| 10-Yard Split | 1.80 seconds |
| Bench Press | 27 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 27.5 inches |
| Broad Jump | 8 ft 9 inches |
The bench press number is particularly impressive — 27 reps of 225 pounds indicates elite upper-body strength for a nose tackle. That raw power translates directly into his ability to hold the point of attack against NFL offensive linemen.
The Development Opportunity
Green Bay’s defensive coordinator position has been a point of emphasis in 2026. With new coordinator Jeff Hafley — now entering his second year in Green Bay — there is an expectation that the defensive system will be more fully established. That stability should benefit young players like Stackhouse who are still learning what it means to be a professional.
Having a proven level of performance from Hargrave will give the Packers the ability to develop Stackhouse without the pressure of relying on him as a starter. Less pressure and another year in Green Bay’s system could be exactly what the young nose tackle needs to unlock his potential.
Nazir Stackhouse: The Jerry Stackhouse Connection
A Legendary Cousin
One of the most interesting details about Nazir Stackhouse is his family connection to NBA legend Jerry Stackhouse. Jerry Stackhouse played 18 seasons in the NBA from 1995 to 2013 — a long and distinguished career as one of the game’s premier scorers and athletes.
Since retiring as a player, Jerry Stackhouse has pursued coaching. He has worked as an assistant for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors. He also had head coaching stints with the Raptors 905 G-League team and Vanderbilt University. In May 2026, he emerged as a candidate for the Chicago Bulls’ head coaching vacancy — a sign that his coaching career is advancing toward the NBA’s highest levels.
For Nazir, having a cousin who navigated the professional sports world at the highest level for nearly two decades is an invaluable resource. That kind of mentorship and perspective is something money simply cannot buy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Nazir Stackhouse? Nazir Stackhouse is a 24-year-old nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in May 2025 after playing five seasons at the University of Georgia. As a result, he won two CFP National Championships with the Bulldogs before joining Green Bay.
Q2: Is Nazir Stackhouse related to Jerry Stackhouse? Yes. Nazir Stackhouse’s cousin is NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse who played 18 seasons from 1995 to 2013. As of 2026, Jerry Stackhouse is pursuing NBA head coaching opportunities including a candidacy for the Chicago Bulls job.
Q3: What happened with Nazir Stackhouse at 2026 training camp? Stackhouse was activated off the active/PUP list on July 29, 2026 after dealing with an undisclosed injury. He then participated in Packers training camp activities in early August 2026. As a result, he is expected to compete for a rotational role on the defensive line.
Q4: How many games did Nazir Stackhouse play in his rookie season? Stackhouse played 13 games for the Green Bay Packers during his 2025 rookie season. His season was impacted by an injury but he showed enough potential to remain on the roster heading into 2026.
Q5: What position does Nazir Stackhouse play? Stackhouse plays nose tackle and defensive tackle. He is listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 327 pounds — giving him the size to anchor the middle of Green Bay’s defensive line.
Q6: Did Nazir Stackhouse win a national championship in college? Yes. Stackhouse won two CFP National Championships with the University of Georgia in 2021 and 2022. He also earned Second-Team All-SEC honors twice during his five-season college career.
Q7: What is Nazir Stackhouse’s outlook for the 2026 NFL season? Stackhouse is competing for a rotational role on the Packers’ defensive line. The addition of Javon Hargrave means he will not be counted on as a starter but gives him the chance to develop without excessive pressure. As a result, a consistent 2026 season could establish him as a genuine building block for Green Bay’s defensive future.
Conclusion
Nazir Stackhouse is exactly the kind of player that makes NFL roster battles so compelling. He was overlooked in the draft. He earned his spot through hard work. He contributed as a rookie despite dealing with injury. And now he enters his second season with something to prove — backed by two national championships, elite physical tools, and a family connection to one of professional sports’ most decorated careers.
The 2026 season will not define Nazir Stackhouse’s career. But it could absolutely accelerate it. If he can stay healthy and deliver the consistency that his physical ability suggests is possible, the Packers may have found a genuine starter-quality player at essentially no cost. And in today’s NFL, that is the kind of discovery that wins championships.
Keep watching number 93 in Green Bay this season.
Stay tuned to WorldForbes for the latest NFL news, player profiles, and sports updates throughout the 2026 season.