Another former Arizona defensive standout is following Jedd Fisch to Washington.
Defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei announced his commitment to UW on Saturday. Uiagalelei is the second former UA player to leave for Washington this offseason, joining star linebacker Jacob Manu.
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) pulls Arizona defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei (46) upfield and into the red zone in the first quarter at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024.
Last season, former Arizona cornerback Ephesians Prysock, defensive end Isaiah Ward, defensive end Russell Davis II and running back Jonah Coleman, among others, left the UA to play at Washington.
Uiagalelei is leaving the UA football program after playing in 33 games over three seasons.
The Costa Mesa, California, native signed with Arizona’s 2022 recruiting class out of national powerhouse Mater Dei High School.
The Arizona defensive lineman is one of several Uiagalelei family members to carve out an impressive football career. The Uiagaleleis hail from a Polynesian background and are well-known, especially in Southern California.
Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei is a cousin of Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who just concluded his lone season at FSU after stints at Oregon State and Clemson. The Uiagalelei cousins shared the field together when Arizona beat 11th-ranked Oregon State in Tucson last season. DJ Uiagalelei’s younger brother, Matayo, is a standout sophomore at Oregon and an All-Big Ten defensive end.
As a true freshman in 2022, Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei was one of two freshmen to make five or more starts on the UA defense, along with Manu. Uiagalelei emerged as one of the Wildcats’ top rotational defensive linemen during the ‘22 and ‘23 seasons.
After Fisch bolted for Washington in January, Uiagalelei stayed in Tucson for one more season, and the 6-4, 280-pound defensive lineman started all 12 games, recording 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Uiagalelei had 68 tackles, 13.5 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He also blocked a field goal in Arizona’s season-opening win over Northern Arizona in 2023.
