Naufahu Tahi
Running Back 3
Ht/Wt
6'
0"
|
240 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
West Valley City, 
Utah
Last School
Granger High School
Roster Years
1999 | 2002-2005


Career Summary

Naufahu Tahi came to BYU from Granger High School in West Valley City, Utah, and soon made an impact for the Cougars. As a true freshman, he led the team with 445 yards rushing on a team-high 102 carries before serving an LDS Church mission. Tahi returned to record a season-high four receptions for nine yards in the Cougars' season-opening win over Georgia Tech in his first football game in three years. The four-year letterwinner saw action in every game as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and missed just one game his senior year. Tahi had 97 carries for 497 yards and a career-high six touchdowns his final season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 45.2 rushing yards per game. He also recorded 41 receptions for 375 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per reception.

Professional

  • Signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006

Personal

  • Born in Fontana, California
  • Parents are Manu and Sioseline Tahi
  • Parents are from Tonga and the family moved to Utah in 1995
  • One of four children
  • Served a Church mission in Jacksonville, Florida 
  • Married to SaLote
  • Recruited by Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Nebraska

Before BYU

  • Named Prep Star All-American
  • Selected by USA Today as the Utah Player of the Year
  • Twice named all-state and was an all-league performer as a sophomore, junior and senior
  • Selected as the Granger High School Most Valuable Player
  • Registered over 5,700 yards rushing in four years at Granger and set the state high school record for rushing touchdowns
  • Regarded as one of the top five recruits in the state of Utah

Stats

CAREER STATS
Year    Gm   Att   Gain   Loss   Net   Avg.   TD   Long
199911   102   471    26     445   4.4    2     28
2003    12    34    88    11      77   2.3    1     28
2004    11    93   366    27      339  3.6    5     18 
TOTAL   23   136   559    37     522   3.8    3     28

Mission

  • Jacksonville
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 1999

  • Earned letterman honors as a true freshman
  • Competed in all 11 regular-season games
  • Led the BYU roster with 445 yards rushing on a team-high 102 carries
  • Averaged 4.4 yards per carry
  • Recorded a career-high 116 yards rushing in the Cougars' overtime victory at Utah State
  • Credited with two touchdowns at New Mexico
  • Tallied a season-high run of 28 yards against Virginia
Sophmore Year 2003

  • Earned letterman honors as a sophomore
  • Saw action in all 12 of the Cougars' games during the season
  • Credited with 77 yards on 34 carries, averaging 2.3 yards per carry
  • Also posted 14 receptions for 144 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per reception
  • Credited with three touchdowns on the season, including one rushing TD
  • Tallied a season high seven carries for 23 yards in the Cougars' 27-20 overtime victory at UNLV
  • Had six carries for six yards, as well as a season-high four receptions for nine yards in the Cougars' season opening victory against Georgia Tech--his first contest in over three years
  • Named Offensive Back of the game for Stanford, SDSU and Notre Dame
  • Participated in spring drills after returning from a Church mission, averaging 5.4 yards per carry
Junior Year 2004

  • Earned letterman honors as a junior
  • Saw action in all 11 games during the season
  • Started at running back in five of the Cougars' 11 games
  • Credited with 93 carries for 339 yards, averaged 3.6 yards per carry
  • Scored a career-high five touchdowns on the season ... averaged 30.8 yards per game
  • Had 16 receptions for 139 yards on the season and one touchdown
  • Had a season-high 16 carries for 98 yards in the Cougars' 31-21 win over Colorado State
  • Participated in spring drills and had eight carries for 15 yards in the annual Blue-White game
  • Entered fall camp as the top returning rusher for the Cougars and competed for the starting job at running back
Senior Year 2005

  • Earned letterman honors as a senior
  • Played in 11 games during the season
  • Started in six games, including the Las Vegas Bowl
  • Credited with 97 carries for 497 yards and a career-best six touchdowns
  • Averaged 5.1 yards per carry and averaged 45.2 rushing yards per game
  • Had 41 receptions for 375 yards and two touchdowns, averaged 9.1 yards per reception
  • Ran 14 times for a season-high 86 yards against Colorado State
  • Caught eight passes for a season-high 80 yards against San Diego State
  • Ran for 59 yards and had 67 receiving yards in BYU's win over Air Force
  • Had 63 rushing yards and 73 receiving yards against Notre Dame
  • Participated in spring drills and carried the ball 10 times for 27 yards in the annual Blue-White game
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 2002

  • Redshirted after returning from a Church mission
Medical Redshirt Year 2002