Russell Tialavea
Defensive Line 52
Ht/Wt
6'
3"
|
265 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Oceanside, 
California
Last School
Oceanside High School
Roster Years
2005-2009 | 2012


Personal

  • Parents are Richard and Robyn
  • Served in the Chile Santiago West Mission (2009-11)
  • Recruited by Nebraska, Kansas State, UCLA, Oregon State, Arizona State, Utah, California, San Diego State, Colorado and Colorado State.

Before BYU

  • Named the Avocado League Defensive Player of the Year as a senior
  • A first-team All-Avocado League defensive lineman and a second-team All-CIF selection
  • Ranked as a top-30 defensive line prospect by one national recruiting service
  • Also ranked as the 58th top high school recruit in the state of California
  • Credited with 10 sacks as a junior
  • A three-year letterwinner in football
  • Led team to a 13-0 record as a senior
  • Also lettered in basketball
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2006

  • Earned letterman honors as a freshman
  • Started seven games at nose tackle for the Cougars
  • Saw action in all 13 games during the season
  • Credited with 22 tackles, including 11 solos and 11 assisted takedowns
  • Had three tackles for a combined loss of 10 yards, including one sack for a five-yard loss
  • Had a season high four tackles against both Utah and Oregon
  • Totaled a season-high three solo tackles in the Cougars' 38-8 victory over Oregon in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl
  • Credited with two blocked kicks
  • A significant contributor on a defensive unit that gave up only 14.7 points per game, ranking 10th nationally
  • Part of a defense that ranked fourth nationally in turnover margin with +14 turnover margin (+1.08 pg)
Sophmore Year 2008

  • Earned letterman honors as a sophomore
  • Saw action in all 13 games for the Cougars at nose tackle, starting 12
  • Totaled 17 tackles on the season, seven solo and 10 assisted
  • Recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups
  • Blocked a field goal attempt versus UCLA
  • Totaled a season-high four tackles against New Mexico
Junior Year 2009

  • Earned letterman honors as a junior
  • Saw action in nine games, including six starts
  • Totaled 11 tackles on the season, including four solo
  • Recovered a fumble in the Air Force game
Senior Year 2012

  • Earned letterman honors as a senior
  • Started all 13 games
  • Recorded 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and a team-high three blocked kicks
  • Recorded a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick against San Jose State while adding a season-high five tackles
  • Solid contributor to the No. 3 total defense in the country
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 2007

  • Redshirted as a true freshman due to injury
Medical Redshirt Year 2007

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  • \r\n Suffered a season-ending knee injury during fall camp
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