Kyahva Tezino

Last updated
Kyahva Tezino
No. 31  Birmingham Stallions
Position Linebacker
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1997-06-21) June 21, 1997 (age 28)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school Salesian (Los Angeles, California)
College San Diego State (2015–2019)
NFL draft 2020: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights

Kyahva Tezino (born June 21, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He also played for the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL), and the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Contents

Early life

Tezino was born on June 21, 1997, in Los Angeles. [1] Growing up with a single mother, he began playing football at age five. [2] Tezino attended Bishop Mora Salesian High School, where he led the football team in tackles in all three of his varsity seasons. He was rated as a four-star recruit and received numerous scholarship offers, initially committing to play college football at Washington State before switching his commitment to San Diego State. [3]

College career

Tezino played four season at San Diego State, where recorded 290 total tackles tackles and 15.5 sacks in 48 career games played. [4] He was a two-time first-team all-Mountain West Conference honoree and became one of only six players in Aztec history to earn multiple team MVP awards. [5]

Professional career

New England Patriots

After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Tezino signed with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) on May 26, 2020. [6] He was released on July 26, 2020. [7]

Carolina Panthers

On July 27, 2020, Tezino was claimed by the was selected by the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). [8] He was released on August 15, 2020. [9]

Pittsburgh Maulers

On February 24, 2022, Brown was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL). [10] On June 26, 2024, Tezino was named to the 2023 All-USFL team. [11]

San Francisco 49ers

On July 27, 2023, Tezino signed with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). [12] He was released on August 29, 2023. [13]

Birmingham Stallions (first stint)

On January 10, 2024, Tezino signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). [14] On June 16, 2024, Tezino and the Stallions won the 2024 UFL Championship. [15]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 19, 2024, Tezino signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). [16] He was released a week later on August 26. [17]

Birmingham Stallions (second stint)

On January 22, 2025, Tezino re-signed with the Stallions. [18]

References

  1. "Kyahva Tezino". ProFootballArchives. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  2. Miller, Bryce (October 8, 2019). "Aztecs star Tezino undeterred by gunshots, gangs, mother's prison stint". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  3. Maciejewski, Michael (August 29, 2018). "Aztecs' Kyahva Tezino Was Meant For Big Games". East Village Times. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  4. "Kyahva Tezino - 2019 Football Roster". Sports Reference . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  5. Kenney, Kirk (October 25, 2024). "Honor Warrior: Former Aztecs linebacker Kyahva Tezino still carries fire, passion for football". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  6. "Reports: Undrafted Rookie Signing Roundup". www.patriots.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  7. Thomas, Oliver (2020-07-27). "Panthers claim undrafted linebacker Kyahva Tezino off waivers from Patriots". Pats Pulpit. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  8. "Panthers claim Kyahva Tezino off waivers". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  9. "Carolina Panthers". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  10. Gibson, Richard (2022-02-24). "Multiple Former FIU Football Players drafted into USFL". PantherNOW. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[ failed verification ]
  11. "2023 All-USFL Team: Stallions QB Alex McGough, Panthers LB Frank Ginda among honorees". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  12. "49ers Sign LB Kyahva Tezino to a One-Year Deal". www.49ers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  13. Bonilla, David (2023-08-29). "49ers 2023 Roster Tracker: Cut-down to 53 players". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  14. Miller, Luke (2024-01-25). "Birmingham Stallions Sign Ten Players In UFL Free Agency". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  15. "Birmingham Stallions Win Inaugural UFL Championship With 25-0 Shutout of San Antonio". www.theufl.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  16. Larsen, James (2024-08-19). "Steelers Sign Birmingham Stallions LB Kyahva Tezino". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  17. "Kyahva Tezino released by the Steelers". FantasyPros. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  18. Larsen, James (2025-01-22). "Stallions Sign Davion Davis, Joseph Ngata, Kyahva Tezino". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved 2025-02-07.