WHO IS
TAUSILI?
TAUSILI AKANA
Tausili Akana was born and raised in Lā‘ie, Hawai’i with three siblings: Braelyn (25),
Keonilei (24), and Tasi (12). His parents, Brandyn and Joselyn Akana, shared a
commitment to both academics and athletics. His father played basketball at BYU-
Hawaii and his mother played volleyball at the University of Hawai’i, Manoa. Together they established a tradition of academic and athletic excellence which continued with his older sisters. Braelyn played volleyball for the University of Hawai’i, Manoa and Keonilei for the University of Texas at Austin.
In Hawai’i, Tausili began his high school career at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama.
But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought all sports in Hawai’i to a halt. After much prayer and family discussion, Tausili moved to Utah where he continued his football career at Wasatch High School in Heber City as a sophomore. He later transferred to Skyridge High School in Lehi, where he played his final two seasons before graduating. Upon graduation, Tausili Akana committed to play football at the University of Texas at Austin where he spent two seasons developing his game and contributing to the program. After two seasons in Austin, he transferred to Brigham Young University where he is currently continuing his academic and football career as a redshirt sophomore.
Off the field, Tausili enjoys:
▪ Spending time with family & friends
▪ Planning Tausili Akana Foundation Events
▪ Playing video games
▪ Hunting
▪ Fishing
ON THE FIELD
Tausili Akana is a 4-star High School All-American Defensive End from Lā‘ie, Hawaii. In high school, he received 48 Division I scholarship offers from top programs across the country that compete in conferences including the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. He participated in both the All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl and was ranked among ESPN’s Top 100 football players in the Class of 2023. Out of high school he committed to play at the University of Texas at Austin. As a redshirt freshman, he was awarded the Scout Player of the Year for his role in preparing the team to win the Big 12 Conference Championship and runner-up in the Sugar Bowl. In his sophomore season, he saw limited action on Special Teams while earning the Defensive Scout Player of the Week honors for eleven consecutive weeks. In 2025, Tausili transferred to Brigham Young University and is looking forward to a successful season in the Big 12.
High School Stats
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All-America & all-league honoree; state champion
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2023 All-American Bowl & Polynesian Bowl selection
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Rankings:
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247Sports: No. 34 Nat’l, No. 4 Edge, No. 1 Utah
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ESPN: No. 113 Nat’l, No. 9 OLB, No. 1 Utah
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Rivals: No. 121 Nat’l, No. 6 OLB, No. 1 Utah
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On3: No. 286 Nat’l, No. 30 Edge, No. 2 Utah
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2022: 6A Player of the Year, 1st-Team All-State & All-Region
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70 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 21 TFL, 22 pressures, 1 FF
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Eight games w/ 5+ tackles & multiple TFL
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Defense allowed just 10.0 PPG (4 shutouts, 9 games ≤7 pts)
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Season highlights: 11 tackles & 5 pressures vs. American Fork; 3.5 TFL in state title vs. Corner Canyon
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Team: 13-1, 6A State Champs
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2021: 1st-Team All-State & All-Region
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78 tackles (54 solo), 35 TFL, 15 sacks, 26 pressures, 1 FF
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Six games w/ 7+ tackles; eight games w/ 2+ TFL
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Defense allowed 10.5 PPG (4 shutouts)
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Season highlights: 13 tackles & 3.5 TFL vs. Herriman; 9 solo, 3 sacks & 5 pressures vs. Westlake
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Team: 11-2, 6A Semifinalist
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2020 (Sophomore, Wasatch HS)
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LB/RB; 29 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FR, 3 blocked kicks
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Team: 8-3, Region Title, 5A Quarterfinals
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IN THE NEWS
Can Texas transfer Tausili Akana boost BYU’s mediocre pass rush in 2025?
Three fun facts about DE Tausili Akana (No. 13), the talented four-star transfer from Texas...
BYU football players named to Polynesian Watch List...
“Premier Pass Rusher”: Kalani Sitake Raves About Tausili Akana’s Fit At BYU...
