Jahlani Tavai

Jahlani Tavai was signed by the New England Patriots to the 53-man roster 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 the New England Patriots to the practice squad (9/2/21) ... Elevated to the Patriots 53-man roster (9/25/21) ... Reverted back to the practice squad (9/27/21) ... Elevated to the Patriots 53-man roster (10/2/21) ... Reverted back to New England's 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 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 the New England Patriots to the practice squad (9/2/21) ... Elevated to the Patriots 53-man roster (9/25/21) ... Reverted back to the practice squad (9/27/21) ... Elevated to the Patriots 53-man roster (10/2/21) ... Reverted back to New England's practice squad (10/4/21).

SEASONAL REVIEWS

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.