“Premier Pass Rusher”: Kalani Sitake Raves About Tausili Akana’s Fit At BYU
Jun 20, 2025, 5:20 PM
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake watches the screen during a pause in play as BYU and Kansas play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday Nov. 16, 2024. Kansas won 17-13. (Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU football was busy in the transfer portal this offseason, and one of the biggest names to look out for in 2025 will be Texas’s Tausili Akana.
Head coach Kalani Sitake had very high praise for the former Utah high school standout. Akana will be returning home in two different ways.
Not only is he back in the state of Utah, but Sitake said he will be going back to the position he’s most comfortable in on the field.
“(Tausili Akana is) probably one of the best pass rushers I’ve seen,” Sitake said. “Transfer from Texas, but he’s able to be an outside linebacker for us — I think he was out of position at Texas, they put him at inside linebacker. He’s really special at coming off the edge and holding the line of scrimmage. He did a great job for us at spring ball. He’s added some weight, and he is a premier pass rusher. But he’s also physical in the run game. He’s an every-down guy. He’s got so much ability it’s going to be really exciting to see him in his comfort area.”
As a first-year local college football athlete, Akana was not on last year’s 60 in 60 list.
See where he gets placed on this year’s list after the 2025 College Football season.
Cougar Nation I’m Home! pic.twitter.com/IZklqYPUCV
— Tausilinu’u Akana (@AkanaTausili) December 23, 2024
About BYU’s Tausili Akana
Akana is a redshirt sophomore originally from Laie, Hawaii.
Coming out of Skyridge High School, Akana was a four-star prospect and the No. 52 overall ranked recruit in the country. During his senior year at Skyridge High School, Akana recorded 70 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 22 pressures, and one forced fumble.
After two seasons at Texas, Akana was rated by 247Sports as a three-star prospect in the transfer portal and the 40th overall EDGE rusher in the 2025 portal cycle. He returns to the state of Utah with three years of eligibility remaining.
Akana comes from an athletic family. His father, Brandyn Akana, was a former basketball player at BYU-Hawaii. His mother, Joselyn, played volleyball at Hawaii, and his sisters played Division 1 volleyball.
What is the 60 in 60?
Hans and Scotty highlight college football players in the state of Utah with their annual 60 in 60 watchlist.
Check back after the 2025 College Football season to see the final 60 in 60 list.
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