Tausili Akana, a former four-star recruit and Texas transfer, pledged his commitment to Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program on Monday. Akana, who was a high school target for BYU, was Utah’s second-highest ranked recruit in the 2023 class. He is one of the most gifted edge rushers to ever sign with the Cougars, according to high school recruiting profiles.
Additionally, BYU supporters will be able to see him for a number of years.
Akana will still be eligible to attend BYU for three more years. He played his redshirt season during one of his two years at Texas. LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, Auburn, Baylor, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington were among the many schools that extended offers to Akana, a high four-star recruit graduating from Skyridge High School.
After an official visit over the weekend, Akana pledged her allegiance to BYU.Akana only made a few defensive snaps for the Longhorns during his two years at Texas. He lined up at linebacker when he did play. In 2024, he weighed 220 pounds. He has the ability to gain 15 to 20 pounds.
Akana is the type of player who could improve BYU’s pass rush, which has been a weakness for the defense in recent years. Akana has the highest ceiling of any defensive end that BYU has signed in the past ten years. When paired with Hunter Clegg, another recent addition, BYU’s defensive ends emerge as one of the team’s most talented position groups.
Akana has a natural ability to pursue the quarterback and is incredibly quick off the line of scrimmage. When a sack seems unlikely, Akana can get after the quarterback thanks to her unusual closing speed. He was a four-star recruit in high school because of his athleticism.
BYU did a fantastic job landing Akana. All of the Cougars’ 2024 defensive line starters will be gone. BYU must reload in the trenches if they hope to contend for the Big 12 championship again in 2025. One important step in reloading at that position is bringing Akana into the fold.
According to the transfer portal, BYU clearly prioritizes the defensive line. Over the past few days, defensive linemen Hunter Clegg and Anisi Purcell have joined BYU.
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