BYU Football Adds Viliami Tausinga To 2021 Roster

PROVO, Utah – There might be only 12 weeks till the BYU football season kicks off, but roster activity never sleeps. BYU formally announced the addition of former East High linebacker Viliami Tausinga on Tuesday.

Welcome to the Family @ViliamiTausinga!! 🤙 pic.twitter.com/TL9NCOs4Rx

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) June 8, 2021

Tausinga signed with BYU as part of the 2018 recruiting class. A three-star inside linebacker, Tausinga held offers from Fresno State, Hawaii, UNLV, and Utah State before signing with BYU.

During his senior season at East High in 2017, Tausinga was a tackling machine. Racking up 150 total tackles and recording eight sacks on a Leopards defense that featured current Baylor Bear Siaki Ika. He also had three interceptions and was a star defensive player on an East squad that finished 11-3.

Viliami Tausinga path to BYU

After signing with BYU, Tausinga put in his missionary paperwork to serve for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tausinga served his mission in Tonga. He returned to Utah in 2020. Last season, Tausinga grey shirted. Now he will have a full five years to play four during his collegiate career.

BYU is loaded at linebacker this season, so there isn’t a pressing need for Tausinga to come in and instantly compete for a spot in the two-deep at LB. Depending on where Tausinga is physically, he could be a player that lines up along the defensive line. Head coach Kalani Sitake and defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki love players with good frames. Tausinga fits that billing.

BYU opens up fall camp for the 2021 season on August 5th.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.