Jahlani Tavai

Jahlani Tavai was signed by the New England Patriots to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on October 13, 2021 ... Originally drafted by Detroit in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft ... Released by Detroit (8/31/21) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/2/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster from the practice squad (9/25/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (9/27/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster from the practice squad (10/2/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (10/4/21).

PRONOUNCED - ja-LAN-EE TAH-va-yah

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Jahlani Tavai was signed by the New England Patriots to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on October 13, 2021 ... Originally drafted by Detroit in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft ... Released by Detroit (8/31/21) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/2/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster from the practice squad (9/25/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (9/27/21) ... Elevated by New England to the active roster from the practice squad (10/2/21) ... Reverted back to the New England practice squad (10/4/21).

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2023 (10/9)

• Serves as a starting linebacker for the New England Patriots. 

• Started at linebacker for New England vs. Philadelphia (9/10). Recored 4 tackles (1 solo, 3 assists). 

• Started at linebacker vs. Miami (9/17). Led the team in tackles with 7 (5 solo, 2 assists).

• Started at linebacker at New York Jets (9/24) and collected 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 assists).

• Recorded his first sack of the season on a third down in the third quarter at Dallas (10/1) to force the Cowboys to settle for a field goal. 

• Intercepted a pass following a hit by S Jabrill Peppers to end a Raiders drive at the New England 14-yard line in the first quarter. It was the second interception of Tavai's career.

• Had a critical pass defense late in the third quarter on third-and-six at Miami (10/29) when QB Tua Tagovailoa tried to hit WR Jalen Waddle,  forcing the Dolphins to punt. Tavai also collected 7 tackles in the game (4 solo, 3 assists)

• Recorded his first forced fumble vs. Washington (11/5) as a member of the Patriots when he forced a fumble after a short gain by RB Brian Robinson Jr. that was recovered by DL Davon Godchaux at the Washington 25-yard line. The turnover helped setup the Patriots first touchdown on a 14-yard pass from QB Mac Jones to TE Hunter Henry three plays later.

2022 (17/12)

• Played in 17 games with 12 starts at linebacker and recorded 63 tackles (32 solo, 31 assists), 1½ sacks for a loss of 12.5 yards, 2 passes defensed and six special teams tackles.
• Sacked quarterback Mitch Trubisky for a 5-yard loss on a third-down play in the second quarter to hold the Steelers to a field goal at Pittsburgh (9/18). It was his first sack as a member of the Patriots.
• Recorded a season-high eight total tackles (5 solo, 3 assist) at Green Bay (10/2).
• Made his first start as a member of the Patriots vs. Detroit (10/9). Part of the defensive unit that pitched a shutout vs. Lions. Detroit entered the game with the top-ranked offense in the NFL.
• Recorded five total tackles (5 solo, 1 assist) vs. Indianapolis (11/6). Also combine with DL Deatrich Wise Jr. on a sack for a loss of 7.5 yards. It was one of the nine sacks the defense had, which is a season high and tied for the most under Coach Belichick. Played a key role for the defensive unit that forced the Colts to go 0-for-14 on third down and allowed just 121 total yards of offense.

2021 (13/0, 1/0)

• Made his Patriots debut vs. New Orleans (9/26), seeing the field as a linebacker and on special teams in limited snaps.
• Was elevated to the active roster for the second week in a row vs. Tampa Bay (10/3). Saw the field mostly on special teams with one defensive snap.
• Was signed to the 53-man roster on October 13, 2021.
• Sees limited action on defense and special teams.
• Recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter vs. Tennessee (11/28).
• Inactive at Buffalo (12/6).
• Recorded two special teams tackles at Indianapolis (12/18)
• Recorded a special teams tackle vs. Buffalo (12/26).
• Combined for three tackles in limited snaps on defense vs. Jacksonville (1/2), as well as contributing on special teams.
• Played in his first playoff game in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15).

2020 (16/10 - DETROIT)

• Played in 16 games with 10 starts an finished with 56 total tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two special teams tackles.
• Logged a career-high 11 tackles and two forced fumbles in Week 17 vs. Minnesota (1/3/21).

2019 (15/16 - DETROIT)

• Played in 15 games with six starts and finished with 57 total tackles, two sacks for 19 yards, one interception, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.
• He was the only rookie in the NFL to post 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception in 2019.
• In Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay (12/15), he recorded his first career interception.
• Notched his first career sacks at Arizona (9/8) in his regular season debut.

COLLEGE

• Played in 47 games in college and finished with 390 total tackles, 16 1/2 sacks two interceptions, five passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
• He was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2016 and Second Team All-Mountain West in 2017.

PERSONAL

• Prepped at Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif) High School where he played defensive line and tight end.
• Comes from an athletic family: older brother, J.R., is a former Tennessee Titans linebacker and younger brother, Justis plays along the defensive line for Hawaii.