University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

2022:

• All-Mountain West honorable mention
• Served as one of four team captains. 
• Started all 13 games at nose tackle.
• One of just three defensive players to start every game.
• Led all UH defensive linemen with 40 tackles (17 solo) in addition to 5.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks 
• Seventh-highest graded interior defensive linemen in the Mountain West according to Pro Football Focus. 
• Played in every single game of his five-year career, appearing in a school-record 64 straight contests, while starting 51.

2021:

• Played in all 13 games with four starts.
• Recorded 30 tackles, including 14 solo. 
• Fourth on the team in tackles-for-loss with six.
• Had two tackles-for-loss, including his second career sack in an upset of nationally-ranked Fresno State.
• Tallied multiple tackles in each of the final 10 games of the year.

2020:

• Earned all-Mountain West honorable mention.
• Started all nine games at nose tackle.
• Recorded 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one quarterback hurry.
• Had a season-high four tackles in season-opening win at Fresno State.
• Despite modest stats, served as a leader on the defensive line and a disruptive force for UH opponents.
• Has the most career starts among UH defenders (33) and is one of only four players on the defensive side of the ball to start every game in 2020.

• Named all-Mountain West honorable mention. 
• Played in all 15 games on the season,  making 11 starts at defensive tackle. 
• Recorded 19 tackles, including 12 solos, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack.
• Swatted down two pass deflections and accounted for the only blocked kick of the season against Central Arkansas.
• Notched a season-high three tackles in wins versus Oregon State and San Jose State.

• Started all 14 games on the defensive line.
• Only freshman defender to start all 14 games.
• Registered at least one tackle in all but one game.
• Finished with 32 tackles on the year with 17 solos.
• Also had 2.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.
• Blocked a 56-yard field goal attempt at Nevada.
• Tallied a season-high six tackles in the Hawaii Bowl against Louisiana Tech (Dec. 22).
• Also a key member of the special teams unit.

Prep: 

• A 2017 graduate of Faga‘itua High School.
• Rated three stars and number-two overall player in American Samoa by 247Sports.
• Helped squad to three league titles.
• Named the ASHSAA MVP as a senior and the defensive player of the year as a junior.
• Named to the 2016 U.S. Army National Combine all-combine first team at defensive line.
• Competed in the 2017 JPS Paradise Classic.
• Received the Impact Player Award after his performance in a matchup against the Hawai‘i West All-Stars.
• Also played one season of soccer.
• A member of the National Honor Society.
• Also earned the school’s Leadership Award.

Personal:

• Born in Faga‘alu, American Samoa.
• Nickname is “Bless.”
• Holds a degree in health and exercise science.
• Has two brothers and one sister.
• Younger brother Maurice is a Rainbow Warrior lineman.
• Parents are Vincent and Joy Ta‘ala of Aua, American Samoa.