Havoc, of course, has been one of the trademarks of the Utah defense and a common refrain for coach Kyle Whittingham. Turnovers, defensive touchdowns, negative yardage plays — they all start with defensive linemen capable of disrupting an offense.
Tafua, a native of Hawaii who originally committed to BYU, joined the Utes in October after returning from his mission. He is now in the forefront of the competition for the starting defensive end spot vacated by Kylie Fitts’ graduation.
“He really hit the ground running and had an outstanding spring,” Whittingham said of Tafua. “He’s challenging for that starting end job opposite of Bradlee Anae.