Jay Toia

Jay Toia (born July 16, 2003) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He played college football for the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins. Toia was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life Toia attended Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, California. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the USC Trojans.

College career USC Toia spent spring practices with the Trojans as an early enrolled player in 2021. After spending just a few months with the Trojans, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

UCLA Toia joined the UCLA Bruins before the start of the 2021 season, after spending the summer as a Trojan. In the 2022 Sun Bowl, he notched a career-high ten tackles with two being for a loss against Pittsburgh. In his first two collegiate seasons in 2021 and 2022, Toia notched 38 tackle with three being for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. In 2023, he appeared in all 13 games for the Bruins while making 12 starts, where he notched 28 tackles with four being for a loss, and a sack. After the season, Toia entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. However, shortly after, he decided to return to play for the Bruins. In 2024, Toia totaled 25 tackles with two being for a loss, and a sack.

Professional career Toia accepted an invite to play in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.

Toai was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 217th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

On August 30, 2026, Toia was waived by the Cowboys as part of final roster cuts.

Personal life Toia's brother Siaki Ika was a defensive tackle at LSU and is currently a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. His brother Soane Toia was a defensive lineman at San Jose State and is currently a defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts, his cousin Stanley Ta'ufo'ou was a defensive lineman at USC and Toia's brother Abitoni is a rugby player in New Zealand. Toia's uncle, Chris Maumalanga, played in 14 games for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals from 1994 to 1996.