A familiar last name can be added to the roster in Foxborough following a tryout.
The New England Patriots have signed rookie defensive tackle Justus Tavai, the brother of veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai, as reported Thursday by Doug Kyed of A to Z Sports.
The 6-foot-3, 290-pound transfer from Hawaii finished his Mountain West career at San Diego State last fall after initially setting out at El Camino College in 2017.
Across 11 appearances with the Aztecs — and while playing on a defensive line featuring Seattle Seahawks signing Jonah Tavai — he recorded 34 tackles, 3.