Josiah Tauaefa

Josiah Tauaefa (born March 5, 1997) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at UTSA.

Josiah Tauaefa
Free agent
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-03-05) March 5, 1997
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Lake Dallas
(Corinth, Texas)
College:UTSA
Undrafted:2019
Career history
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2019
Total tackles:6
Sacks:0
Forced fumbles:1
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life and high school

Tauaefa grew up in Corinth, Texas and attended Lake Dallas High School, where he played fullback, linebacker and tight end on the football team. He was named the District 6-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player as a junior and named the District 6-5A Defensive Most Valuable Player and first team all-district on offense as a senior.[1]

College career

Tauaefa spent four seasons as a member of the UTSA Roadrunners, redshirting his freshman year. In his redshirt freshman season, Tauaefa recorded a school-record 115 tackles (nine for loss), six sacks and an interception and was named first team All-Conference USA, the conference Freshman of the Year, and became the first UTSA player to be named a Freshman All-American.[2] As a redshirt junior, Tauaefa made a team-leading 113 total tackles and also led the Roadrunners with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks and was named honorable mention All-Conference USA.[3] Tauaefa declared for the NFL draft following his redshirt junior season, forgoing his final year of eligibility[4] and graduating from UTSA in 2018 with a degree in communications.[5]

Professional career

Tauaefa signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[6] He was cut by the Giants at the end of training camp but was re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 1, 2019.[7] Tauaefa was promoted to the Giants' active roster on October 1, 2019.[8] Tauaefa made his NFL debut on October 6, 2019 against the Minnesota Vikings, making three tackles (two for a loss).[9]

Tauaefa was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Giants on August 4, 2020,[10] but was activated the next day.[11] He was waived on September 5, 2020.[12]

References
  1. Moreno, Eric (March 6, 2019). "Playing in Controlled Chaos – A UTSA Q&A with Josiah Tauaefa". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  2. Luca, Greg (April 27, 2019). "UTSA product Tauaefa ready for shot as undrafted free agent with New York Giants". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  3. Taylor, John (December 30, 2018). "UTSA losing star LB Josiah Tauaefa to early draft entry". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  4. Cely, Andrew (December 28, 2018). "UTSA's Josiah Tauaefa declares for NFL Draft". KSAT.com. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  5. "Josiah Tauaefa - 2018 - University of Texas at San Antonio". goutsa.com. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  6. Flores, David (April 27, 2019). "UTSA linebacker Tauaefa joining New York Giants as undrafted free agent". kens5.com. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  7. Mills, Andrew (September 1, 2019). "Here is the Giants' 2019 practice squad-Reggie White Jr., Josiah Tauaefa and more get second chances". NJ.com.
  8. Traina, Patricia (October 1, 2019). "Giants Add Golden Tate, Josiah Tauaefa to Roster". SI.com.
  9. Salomone, Dan. "Instant Analysis: Giants fall to Vikings, 28-10". Giants.com.
  10. Eisen, Michael (August 4, 2020). "Markus Golden re-signs with Giants; led team in sacks in 2019". Giants.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  11. Eisen, Michael (August 5, 2020). "Cornerback Sam Beal opts out of 2020 season". Giants.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. Eisen, Michael (September 5, 2020). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com.
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