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The University of Utah Athletics
Junior Tafuna Named To Lombardi Award Watch List
8/15/2023 10:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON – University of Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna has been named to the Lombardi Award Watch List with the award going annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.
Tafuna is one of 78 players on the preseason watch list and is also one of 11 from the Pac-12 who earned the honor. Tafuna has also been named to the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists as well as preseason All-Pac-12 and All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Tafuna earned All-Pac-12 second-team in 2022 after contributing 27 tackles (3.5 TFL, 1.0 sack), an interception, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He has played in 27 games at Utah with 25 consecutive starts.
Out of Taylorsville, Utah, Tafuna was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after redshirting in 2020. He recorded a career-high nine tackles in Utah's win over Arizona in 2021, which included 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
COMING SOON
The Utes will open 2023 at home, hosting the Florida Gators on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.
Tafuna is one of 78 players on the preseason watch list and is also one of 11 from the Pac-12 who earned the honor. Tafuna has also been named to the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists as well as preseason All-Pac-12 and All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Tafuna earned All-Pac-12 second-team in 2022 after contributing 27 tackles (3.5 TFL, 1.0 sack), an interception, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He has played in 27 games at Utah with 25 consecutive starts.
Out of Taylorsville, Utah, Tafuna was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after redshirting in 2020. He recorded a career-high nine tackles in Utah's win over Arizona in 2021, which included 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
| Twitter: | @Utah_Football |
| Instagram: | @UtahFootball |
| Threads: | @UtahFootball |
| Facebook: | Utah Football |
| Tik Tok: | @Utah_Football |
COMING SOON
The Utes will open 2023 at home, hosting the Florida Gators on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.
Players Mentioned
DT
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