| Leki Fotu | |
| Current Team: | New York Jets |
| Number: | 92 |
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Birth Date: | 23 August 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Oakland, California, U.S.[1] |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 5 |
| Weight Lb: | 335 |
| High School: | Herriman (UT) |
| College: | Utah (2016–2019) |
| Draftyear: | 2020 |
| Draftround: | 4 |
| Draftpick: | 114 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Status: | Active |
| Highlights: |
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| Statleague: | NFL |
| Statseason: | 2023 |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 89 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statvalue2: | 3.5 |
| Statlabel3: | Forced fumbles |
| Statvalue3: | 1 |
| Statlabel4: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue4: | 1 |
| Statlabel5: | Pass deflections |
| Statvalue5: | 3 |
| Pfr: | FotuLe00 |
George "Leki" Fotu[2] (born August 23, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).[3] He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Fotu played high school rugby[4] and high school football at Herriman High School, playing defensive end and sporadic tight end. His team won the Utah 5A state championship his senior season.[5] Fotu committed to Utah on September 20, 2015, choosing the Utes over USC, Brigham Young and Oklahoma State.[6]
After his sophomore season, Utah coaches considered moving Fotu from defensive end to offensive tackle, but Fotu instead moved to defensive tackle and claimed the starting spot at that position.[7] At the end of his junior season, Fotu was named first-team all-Pac-12 Conference.
Before his senior season, Fotu was named a preseason All-American by ESPN.[8] During the season, after a game against Cal, Fotu was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording a 13-yard sack.[9] He was named second-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press.[10]
Fotu was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round with the 114th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.[11] He was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury on November 14, 2020,[12] and activated on December 5, 2020.[13] In Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Fotu recorded his first career sack on fellow rookie Jalen Hurts during the 33–26 win.[14]
Fotu entered the 2021 season as the backup nose tackle for the Cardinals. He played in 17 games with three starts, recording 19 tackles, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble.[15]
On March 14, 2024, Fotu signed with the New York Jets.[16]
Three of Fotu's brothers have also played college football. Before focusing on football, Fotu also played rugby. Both of Fotu's parents were born in Tonga, but moved to America before Leki was born.[17]