Jordan Ta'amu Explained

Jordan Ta'amu
Current Team:DC Defenders
Number:10
Position:Quarterback
Birth Date:10 December 1997
Birth Place:Pearl City, Hawaii, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:214
High School:Pearl City
Undraftedyear:2019
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • XFL Offensive Player of the Year (2023)
  • All-XFL Team (2023)
  • USFL passing yards leader (2022)
  • USFL passing touchdowns leader (2022)
Statleague:spring football
Statseason:2024
Statlabel1:Passing attempts
Statvalue1:943
Statlabel2:Passing completions
Statvalue2:572
Statlabel3:Completion percentage
Statvalue3:60.6
Statlabel4:TDINT
Statvalue4:48-26
Statlabel5:Passing yards
Statvalue5:6,787
Statlabel6:QB Rating
Statvalue6:88.1
Statlabel7:Rushing yards
Statvalue7:1,086
Statlabel8:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue8:6

Jordan Taalolo Ta'amu-Perifanos (born December 10, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels. Ta'amu has been a member of several National Football League (NFL) teams and has started for the St. Louis BattleHawks and Defenders of the XFL and Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL). With the Bandits, he led the 2022 USFL season in passing yardage and touchdowns. Ta'amu was named XFL Offensive Player of the Year following the 2023 XFL season with the Defenders.

Early life and college

Ta'amu attended the Pearl City High School in Pearl City, Hawaii. As a senior, he passed for 1,779 yards with 29 touchdowns against four interceptions.

Ta'amu played at the New Mexico Military Institute for two seasons, passing for 3,014 yards and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore.[1] He transferred to Ole Miss in 2017, entering the season as the backup to Shea Patterson before taking over as the starter for the final five games after Patterson suffered an injury. He finished the season with 1,682 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.[2] [3] [4] [5] He also rushed for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns. With Patterson transferring to the University of Michigan, Ta'amu entered the 2018 season as the starting quarterback.[6] In his senior season he passed for 3,918 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also rushed for 342 yards and 6 touchdowns. He finished the season ranked second in SEC passing yards, behind Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, who played in three more games.[7]

Professional career

Houston Texans

On August 7, 2019, Ta'amu signed with the Houston Texans;[8] he was released on August 30, 2019.[9]

St. Louis BattleHawks

On October 15, 2019, Ta'amu was allocated to the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL, the first player for the team.[10] He was the only one of the XFL's first eight quarterbacks to not have any professional regular season experience. He signed a contract with the team on November 4, 2019. On January 29, 2020, Ta'amu was named the starting quarterback.

During the BattleHawks first game against the Dallas Renegades on February 9, Ta'amu threw for 209 yards and a passing touchdown, while rushing for 77 yards, helping the team win a 15–9 victory against the Renegades.[11] He had another productive game in Week 2 against the Houston Roughnecks, with 316 combined yards of offense and four total touchdowns, but threw 2 interceptions as the Battlehawks lost 24–28.[12] After the XFL's season was cut short, Ta'amu was placed on the reserve/other league list on April 2, 2020, in order to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.[13] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[14]

Kansas City Chiefs

Ta'amu signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 2, 2020.[15] On September 5, 2020, he was waived.[16] He was signed to the practice squad the following day.[17] On October 3, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 reserve list.[18] He was removed from the COVID-19 list on October 21.[19] He was released on October 27.[20]

Detroit Lions

On December 16, 2020, Ta'amu was signed to the Detroit Lions' practice squad.[21]

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

Ta'amu was signed to a reserve/future contract on January 12, 2021.[22] [23] He was waived on May 10, 2021.[24]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

Ta'amu signed with the Detroit Lions on August 17, 2021.[25] He was cut six days later on August 23, 2021.[26]

Washington Football Team

On December 15, 2021, Ta'amu was signed to the Washington Football Team's practice squad,[27] but was released eight days later. During this time the starting quarterback for Washington was Taylor Heinicke, who was Ta'amu's back up in the XFL.

Carolina Panthers

On December 30, 2021, Ta'amu was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[28] He was released on January 4, 2022.

Tampa Bay Bandits

Ta'amu was selected with the second pick of the 2022 USFL draft by the Tampa Bay Bandits. He led the USFL in passing yards at 2,014 and touchdowns with 14.[29]

DC Defenders

Ta'amu was assigned to the DC Defenders of the XFL on January 6, 2023.[30] [31] On May 5, 2023, Ta'amu was announced as the XFL's 2023 Offensive Player of the Year.[32] He was released from his contract on August 18, 2023.[33]

Minnesota Vikings

On August 21, 2023, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.[34] He was waived on August 28.[35]

On September 9, 2023, Ta'amu was revealed to be claimed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League on their negotiation list, as part of the league mandate making ten names from that list public. Under the CFL's terms of employment, the Roughriders will hold exclusive rights to Ta'amu should he seek to play in the CFL unless they remove him from the list.[36]

DC Defenders (second stint)

Ta'amu re-signed with the Defenders on February 22, 2024.[37]

Career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
Year! rowspan="2"
TeamLeagueGamesPassingRushing
XFL5 5 97 134 72.01,050 8.0 5 2 101.3 12 41 217 5.3 1
USFL101017230257.0 2,0146.7 14 1276.2 25 59 3656.11
width:3em;"2023 !XFL1010142 227 62.6 1,878 8.3143 103.76 67301 4.5 3
width:3em;"2024 !UFL1010 161 280 57.5 1,846 6.6 15 9 81.9 19 43 203 4.7 1
Career 35 35 572 943 60.6 6,787 7.2 48 26 88.1 62 210 1,086 5.1 6
Year! rowspan="2"
TeamLeagueGamesPassingRushing
XFL2 2 35 61 57.4 503 8.2 4 5 72.0 6 34 5.7 0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morales . Antonio . November 10, 2017 . How did Jordan Ta'amu, a Hawaii native who went to a New Mexico JUCO, end up at Ole Miss? . September 4, 2019 . . Gannett.
  2. Web site: Kellenberger . Hugh . July 17, 2018 . Jordan Ta'amu is the quarterback Ole Miss needs for this moment . September 4, 2019 . . Gannett.
  3. Web site: Sallee . Barrett . July 17, 2018 . Forgotten star of the SEC, Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta'amu ready to emerge from the shadows . September 4, 2019 . CBS Sports.
  4. Web site: Garrett . Ben . March 8, 2018 . Ta'amu taking ownership in senior season . September 4, 2019 . Oxford Citizen . Daily Journal.
  5. Web site: Jordan Ta'amu Stats . January 16, 2019 . ESPN.
  6. Web site: Kellenberger . Hugh . July 17, 2018 . Jordan Ta'amu ready for first season as Ole Miss' fulltime starter . September 4, 2019 . . . subscription . September 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911114326/http://sports.usatoday.com/2018/07/17/jordan-taamu-ready-for-first-season-as-ole-miss-fulltime-starter/ . dead .
  7. Web site: Spencer . Adam . January 14, 2019 . Quarterback-needy NFL team reportedly spent a lot of time with Jordan Ta'amu after Shrine Game practice . January 16, 2019 . Saturday Down South.
  8. Web site: Wilson . Aaron . August 7, 2019 . Texans sign quarterback Jordan Ta'amu . September 4, 2019 . . Hearst Communications.
  9. Web site: Wilson . Aaron . August 31, 2019 . Texans roster moves: Team trades for Carlos Hyde, Keion Crossen; deals Martinas Rankin . May 7, 2022 . . Hearst Communications.
  10. Web site: Florio . Mike . October 15, 2019 . XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks . October 22, 2019 . Pro Football Talk.
  11. Web site: Sullivan . Tyler . February 9, 2020 . XFL scores, highlights in Week 1: New York Guardians, St. Louis BattleHawks earn wins on opening weekend . February 9, 2020 . CBS Sports.
  12. News: Shimabuku . Christian . February 17, 2020 . Pearl City's Jordan Ta'amu throws three touchdowns in Week 2 of XFL action . KHON2 . February 20, 2020.
  13. Web site: XFL Transactions . April 5, 2020 . XFL.
  14. News: Condotta . Bob . April 10, 2020 . XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue . Seattle Times. July 17, 2020.
  15. Web site: Dajani . Jordan . March 23, 2020 . Chiefs sign former St. Louis BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta'amu after successful XFL season . April 2, 2020 . CBS Sports.
  16. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 5, 2020 . Report: Chiefs waive former XFL QB Jordan Ta'amu . September 5, 2020 . Chiefs Wire. USA Today.
  17. Web site: The Kansas City Chiefs Make Good Use Of New Practice Squad Rules . Forbes.
  18. Web site: Baca . Michael . October 3, 2020 . Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu tests positive for COVID-19, placed on reserve list . October 21, 2020 . NFL.
  19. Web site: Jordan Ta'amu: Healthy return to team . October 31, 2020 . CBS Sports. October 22, 2020 .
  20. Web site: Goldman . Charles . October 27, 2020 . Chiefs release practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu . November 8, 2020 . USA Today.
  21. Web site: Schlitt . Erik . December 16, 2020 . Lions sign QB Jordan Ta'amu, RB Jordan Scarlett to practice squad . February 2, 2021 . USA Today.
  22. Web site: Goldman . Charles . January 15, 2021 . Chiefs sign WR Chad Williams, QB Jordan Ta'amu to reserve/future contracts . February 7, 2021 . Chiefs Wire.
  23. Web site: Goldman . Charles . January 12, 2021 . Chiefs sign QB Jordan Ta'amu to practice squad, cut Tyler Clark . February 7, 2021 . Chiefs Wire.
  24. Web site: Williams . Charean . May 10, 2021 . Chiefs cut Jordan Ta'amu, Bryan Witzmann . July 12, 2021 . ProFootballTalk.
  25. Web site: August 17, 2021. Former Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta'amu signs with new NFL team. August 17, 2021. Saturday Down South. en-US.
  26. Web site: August 23, 2021. Lions cut Darius Jennings, Jordan Ta'amu, three others. August 24, 2021. ProFootballTalk.
  27. Web site: Washington places 7 players on Reserve/COVID-19 list, designates Sam Cosmi to return from IR, signs 2 to practice squad. Washington Commanders. December 15, 2021. May 7, 2022. April 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421160416/https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-places-7-players-on-reserve-covid-19-list-designates-sam-cosmi-to-ret. dead.
  28. Web site: Panthers place three more on COVID-19 list, activate one. Gantt, Darin. Carolina Panthers. December 30, 2021.
  29. Web site: Redding . Jared . Jordan Ta'amu finished first USFL season as a top offensive performer . 247 Spirts . August 6, 2022.
  30. Web site: Mitchell . Mike . Jordan Ta'amu Returns To The XFL, Joins The D.C. Defenders . January 5, 2023 . xflnewshub.com . January 4, 2023 . en-us.
  31. XFLDefenders . .@JTaamu10 has a new home, and it's D.C. . 1611483265545949186 . January 6, 2023 . January 7, 2023.
  32. Web site: Ta'amu Named 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year . May 5, 2023 . www.xfl.com . en.
  33. Web site: XFL Transactions . XFL.com . December 25, 2023.
  34. Web site: Peters . Craig . August 21, 2023 . Vikings Sign Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu . January 14, 2024 . Vikings.com.
  35. News: Vikings Begin Roster Reductions Ahead of Final Roster Cut Deadline. August 28, 2023. Vikings.com.
  36. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/08/ten-players-revealed-from-each-cfl-teams-negotiation-list/ Ten players revealed from each CFL team's negotiation list
  37. News: Luis Perez and Jordan Ta'amu to return for 2024 season . TheUFL.com . February 22, 2024 . February 23, 2024.