The New York Jets have signed XFL Defensive Player of the Year, Vegas Vipers Pita Taumoepenu. Taumoepenu appeared in all 10 games last season for the Vipers, and put together a stellar season. He recorded 26 total tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 7.5 sacks. It was only a matter of time before he made his way to a NFL roster, and I’m surprised it took this long.
BREAKING: The New York #Jets plan to sign XFL Defensive Player of the Year Pita Taumoepenu, per @ByMikeMitchell
— Lukas Galecki-Shofroth (@TGNCoverage) August 7, 2023
Taumoepenu played collegiate football at the University of Utah. He had a great senior season, which would lead to him being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. In that senior season, he recorded 41 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
Pita Taumoepenu has a decent amount of NFL experience at 29 years old. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He also made stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Denver Broncos. He was last released by the Broncos in 2022, before joining the XFL in 2023. Now signing with the New York Jets, he will look to compete for a spot on the final 53 man roster.
In addition, Pita Taumoepenu is the 48th XFL to NFL signing this offseason. DT Bruce Hector and LB Charles Wiley signed with NFL teams earlier today.
What are your thoughts on Pita Taumoepenu signing with the New York Jets? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
