Washington Continues DL Reload With Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei Commitment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lars Hanson | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 6:46 PM ET

Another ex-Arizona defender has made their transfer to Washington official on Saturday, the latest being junior defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound California native, who finished tied for third in the Big 12 Conference this past season among defensive linemen with 25 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, six more than any UW football player in 2024.

Uiagalelei, a former three-star recruit out of Mater Dei High School in the 2022 class, will have one season of eligibility remaining to use with the Huskies in 2025.

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Over his three seasons in Tucson, the cousin of Ex-Clemson and Florida State quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei made 33 appearances (x starts) with 68 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass breakup to his credit.

Since the transfer portal opened on Dec. 9 defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi has retooled the UW front, adding Utah defensive tackle Simote Pepa and Western Michigan defensive lineman Anterio Thompson along with Uiagalelei, after struggling against the run and finishing in the bottom third of the Big Ten in 2024 with just 20 sacks.

Uiagalelei marks the ninth transfer for UW this month and the fifth defensive addition with ex-Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu and Northern Arizona safety Alex McLaughlin.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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