Naufahu Tahi

Naufahu Tahi
Naufahu Tahi
No. 38     Free Agent
Fullback
Personal information
Date of birth: October 30, 1981 (1981-10-30) (age 30)
Place of birth: Fontana, California
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
College: Brigham Young
Undrafted in 2006
Debuted in 2007 for the Minnesota Vikings
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Unrestricted free agent
Career highlights and awards
  • None
Stats at NFL.com

Naufahu Anitoni Tahi (born October 30, 1981) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at BYU. Tahi has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

Contents

Early years

At Granger High School in West Valley City, Utah, Tahi was named the USA Today Player of the Year for Utah as a senior. Tahi rushed for a total of 5,700 yards and set a state record as the all-time leader in rushing yards and for rushing touchdowns.

College career

Tahi attended Brigham Young University as a freshman in 1999 and led the team that year in rushing with 445 yards before taking a three year leave for a mission in Jacksonville, Florida as he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tahi returned to Brigham Young in 2003 and had a career-best 872 yards rushing from scrimmage as a senior and scored 8 touchdowns (6 rushing and 2 receiving).

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals

Tahi was an undrafted free agent out of college and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006, but was released on final roster cuts and became a member of the team's practice squad.

Minnesota Vikings

Tahi signed with the Minnesota Vikings on November 22, 2006 to their active roster from Cincinnati's practice squad.

Tahi saw his first significant playing time in 2008. During that year, he was listed number one on the Vikings depth chart and played several games at fullback blocking for Adrian Peterson as well as playing on special teams. He also had 16 receptions for 37 yards, most of which came on one-yard dumpoffs in the flat, a favorite play of Brad Childress and the West Coast Offense playbook.

Tahi signed a $1.4 million offer sheet March 19 with the Cincinnati Bengals, but the Vikings matched the offer and re-signed him on March 27.

Tahi caught his first touchdown pass of his career on January 3, 2010 in a win against the New York Giants. He was re-signed to a one-year contract on April 13.[1]

Personal

Tahi was raised in a family that are natives of Tonga, but he was born in California before moving to Utah as a child. Tahi is cousins with former BYU and current Colts practice squad fullback Fui Vakapuna.

References

  1. ^ Scoggins, Chip (April 13, 2010). "Tahi signs RFA tender". StarTribune.com. http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/90746809.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUncacyi8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU. Retrieved 2010-04-13. 

External links


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