Keanu Tanuvasa

Last updated
Keanu Tanuvasa
BYU Cougars–No. 57
Position Defensive tackle
Class
Redshirt Redshirt.svg
Redshirt
Junior
Personal information
Born:June 2002 (age 23)
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight300 lb (136 kg)
Career history
College Utah (2022–2024)
BYU (2025–present)
High school Mission Viejo
(Mission Viejo, California)

Keanu Tanuvasa (born June 2002) is an American college football defensive tackle for the BYU Cougars. He previously played for the Utah Utes.

Contents

Early life

Tanuvasa was born in June 2002 and grew up in Orange County, California. [1] His father, Shawn, played for the Utah Utes, while his grandparents are from Samoa. [1] He attended Mission Viejo High School where he played football as a defensive lineman and also basketball, being a two-time all-league selection in football. [2] As a senior in 2019, he was named first-team all-county after totaling 40 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks. [3] He participated at the Polynesian Bowl at the conclusion of his high school career. [1] He was a three-star prospect and committed to play college football for the Utah Utes, but, before enrolling, served a two-year mission trip for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [4]

College career

As a true freshman for the Utes in 2022, Tanuvasa redshirted and appeared in four games, totaling six tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. [5] He then started all 13 games at defensive tackle, recording 27 tackles, six TFLs, and two sacks while being named a Freshman All-American by College Football Network. [4] He battled injuries during the 2024 season, only appearing in seven games while recording 17 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and a sack. [4] [6] He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference for the 2024 season. [7] He transferred to the BYU Cougars for the 2025 season. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kamrani, Christopher (February 3, 2020). "Built to last: The lessons Keanu Tanuvasa, grandson of a mason, will take with him to Utah". The Athletic – via archive.today.
  2. ↑ Walker, Sean (December 31, 2024). "Keanu Tanuvasa explains decision to transfer to BYU from Utah". KSL.com .
  3. ↑ "Keanu Tanuvasa". Utah Utes.
  4. 1 2 3 Judd, Brandon (December 23, 2024). "Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa enters transfer portal". Deseret News .
  5. ↑ "60 in 60: #38 Utah's Keanu Tanuvasa (Defensive Tackle)". KSLSports.com. July 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ Batacao, Jason; Reynolds, Kevin (April 1, 2025). "BYU lineman Keanu Tanuvasa responds to criticism from Utah fans, opens up about NIL and his transfer choice". The Salt Lake Tribune .{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Reynolds, Kevin (December 30, 2024). "BYU flips another Utah player, this time a standout defensive lineman". The Salt Lake Tribune .
  8. ↑ McCann, Dave (April 5, 2025). "Adding spice to the BYU-Utah rivalry, Keanu Tanuvasa will tackle former friends in October". Deseret News .
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