Jahlani Tavai Explained

Jahlani Tavai
Current Team:New England Patriots
Number:48
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:28 September 1996
Birth Place:Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:255
High School:Mira Costa (CA)
College:Hawaii (2014–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:2
Draftpick:43
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • First-team All-Mountain West (2016)
  • Second-team All-Mountain West (2017)
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:309
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:4.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:5
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:2
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:9
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statvalue6:3
Statlabel7:Defensive touchdowns
Pfr:T/TavaJa00

Jahlani Karl Tavai (born September 28, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He is the younger brother of J. R. Tavai and older brother of Justus Tavai. He played college football at Hawaii.[1]

College career

College statistics

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
YearClassPositionGPTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
SoloAstTotalLossSackIntYardsAvgTDPDFRYardsTDFF
2014FreshmanLB Redshirted
2015 Freshman132729565.03.0000.0000000
2016 Sophomore14854312819.56.0100.0022002
2017 Junior12665812411.05.5188.0011000
2018 Senior84240825.52.0000.0020001
Source[2]

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Tavai was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[3] He played in 15 games in six starts, recording 58 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, two passes defensed and an interception. He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2019.[4]

On August 31, 2021, Tavai was waived by the Lions as part of the final pre-season roster cuts.[5]

New England Patriots

After being released by Detroit, on September 1, 2021, the New England Patriots signed Tavai to their practice squad, eventually activating him, while reuniting with Matt Patricia, his former head coach in Detroit.[6] [7] [8] He was promoted to the active roster on October 13.[9]

Tavai began the 2022 season as a backup linebacker. He was named a starter in Week 5 and remained there the rest of the season. On November 29, 2022, Tavai signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension with the Patriots.[10] He finished the season with 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed.

On July 2, 2024, Tavai signed a three-year contract extension with the Patriots worth $15 million.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former 'Bows linebacker Jahlani Tavai records first career sack in Detroit Lions debut. Associated Press. September 9, 2019. KHON-TV. en-US. September 19, 2019.
  2. Web site: Jahlani Tavai College Stats. Sports Reference. en. June 3, 2019.
  3. News: Detroit Lions take Hawaii LB Jahlani Tavai in Round 2 of 2019 NFL draft. Birkett. Dave. April 26, 2019. Detroit Free Press. April 26, 2019. Gannett.
  4. Web site: Birkett . Dave . December 23, 2019 . Detroit Lions place rookie LB Jahlani Tavai (shoulder) on injured reserve . 2023-10-31 . Detroit Free Press.
  5. Web site: Lions announce roster moves. DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2021.
  6. Web site: Report: Patriots adding ex-Lions LB to practice squad. 2021-09-03. RSN. en.
  7. Web site: 2021-09-01. Lions waive former University of Hawaii star and second-round pick LB Jahlani Tavai. 2021-09-03. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. en-US.
  8. Web site: 2021-09-01. Yep, ex-Lions LB Jahlani Tavai really is signing with New England's practice squad. 2021-09-03. mlive. en.
  9. Web site: Patriots sign linebacker Jahlani Tavai to the 53-man roster from the practice squad; Sign defensive back Sean Davis to the practice squad. Patriots.com. October 13, 2021.
  10. Web site: Patriots, Jahlani Tavai agree to two-year contract extension. Smith, Michael David. Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. November 29, 2022.
  11. Web site: Report: Patriots Extend Linebacker Jahlani Tavai . 2024-07-03 . Patriots.com . en-US.