Pita Taumoepenu

Pita Taumoepenu (born March 9, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Utah. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Professional career Pre-draft Coming out of Utah, Taumoepenu was ranked as the 28th best outside linebacker prospect by CBS Sports. On October 4, 2016, it was announced Taumoepenu had received an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. On January 21, 2017, Taumoepenu attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and recorded four solo tackles and one sack as a part of Jim Zorn's American team who lost 27–7 to Mike Martz's National. He was one of eight Utah players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed the majority of combine drills and finished second amongst all the defensive lineman in the 40-yard dash and the three-cone drill, only behind Kansas State's Jordan Willis, and finished sixth in the short shuttle. On March 23, 2017, Taumoepenu attended Utah's pro day and performed the majority of combine drills. He attended a private meeting with Pittsburgh Steelers. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Taumoepenu was projected to be a seventh round pick or priority undrafted free agent. He was ranked the 29th best outside linebacker prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.

San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers selected Taumoepenu in the sixth round (202nd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. The 49ers previously acquired the pick used to select Taumoepenu in a trade with the Denver Broncos in a trade that sent Vernon Davis to the Broncos. On May 4, 2017, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.54 million contract that included a signing bonus of $145,444.

Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot against Brock Coyle, Eli Harold, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Dekoda Watson, and Jimmie Gilbert. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him the third strongside linebacker to begin the season, behind Harold and Watson. On September 1, 2018, Taumoepenu was waived by the 49ers and was signed to the practice squad the next day. On December 5, Taumoepenu was promoted to the active roster.

On May 28, 2019, Taumoepenu was waived by the 49ers.

Arizona Cardinals On May 29, 2019, Taumoepenu was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals. He was waived/injured during final roster cuts on August 31, and reverted to the team's injured reserve list the next day. Taumoepenu was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 10.

Seattle Seahawks On November 20, 2019, Taumoepenu was signed to the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Seahawks on January 14, 2020. Taumoepenu was waived on May 4, but rejoined the team on August 30. He was waived again four days later.

Atlanta Falcons On October 20, 2020, Taumoepenu was signed to the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on November 7 for the team's Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. Taumoepenu's practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.

Denver Broncos On May 17, 2021, Taumoepenu signed with the Denver Broncos. He was released by Denver on August 23. Taumoepenu re-signed with the team's practice squad on September 22. He was released by the Broncos on January 5, 2022.

Vegas Vipers Taumoepenu was drafted by the Vegas Vipers of the XFL in the 2023 XFL draft. On May 4, 2023, Taumoepenu was named the inaugural XFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was released from his contract on August 7.

New York Jets On August 8, 2023, Taumoepenu signed with the New York Jets. He was released by the Jets on August 28.

St. Louis Battlehawks The St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL signed Taumoepenu on December 23, 2023. He re-signed with the team on October 18, 2024. Taumoepenu finished the 2025 UFL season with the most sacks and was named to the All-UFL Team.

NFL statistics Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR 2017 SF 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 SF 4 0 3 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 ARI 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 ATL 1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 7 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Source: