NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Josiah Tauaefa, LB, UTSA
- Josiah Tauaefa
- University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA)
- Twitter: @josiahtauaefa
2018 Accolades & Statistics
- 2018 C-USA Football All-Conference Honorable Mention.
- 113 Total Tackles – 11.5 TFL – 4.5 Sacks – 2 FF.
What is your name?
Josiah Tauaefa.
Where do you play College Football?
UTSA.
What position do you play?
Middle Linebacker.
What is your height/weight?
6’1″ 240lbs.
Did you play any other sports growing up? If so, what were they?
Basketball, baseball, some soccer.
Who is the toughest player you have competed against in College?
Aaron Jones from UTEP.
Are you listening to music before a game? If so, what?
Yes, rap music.
Do you have any superstitions before a game? If so, what are they?
No but I do call my dad and he prays over me before every game.
Who is your role model & why?
My dad and my uncle, they both live by the Lord, are hard-working people who have changed their lives from when they were younger for the better.
While in College, what has been your favorite & least favorite class?
Favorite class has been World Music because of the different cultures we were able to learn about through music, least favorite class was AIS my freshman year.
What made you choose UTSA?
Location to my family, family atmosphere, and an opportunity to make history at such a young program.
Outside of Football, what has been your favorite experience while in College?
It was great. I got to go to school with my cousin, meet lifelong friends, and I met my fiancée/soon to be wife (don’t have a date yet).
Growing up, who was your favorite NFL Team & NFL player, & why?
The Steelers and Troy Polamalu because of their defense and the way that Troy played the game- smart but reckless and always 100%.
If you could be in any movie of your choice, what would it be & what character would you play?
I would love to play Legolas’s part in Lord of the Rings.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who are they?
- Jesus.
- MLK.
- The Rock.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose & why?
Jesus, for obvious reasons.
Who is your favorite superhero & why?
Probably the Hulk, he’s just so incredibly impressive and way too strong.
What is your definition of hard work?
Doing whatever is necessary to obtain your goal(s) – coming in early, staying late, extra reps, taking notes, asking questions, and doing all of that even on days that you don’t feel like doing it.
What is the most unexpected lesson you learned while in College?
That it goes just as fast as high school did. I figured I would be able to take it slower because high school flew by but you really have to take advantage of every single day.
What is something you wish you could go back & tell yourself as a High School Freshman?
Don’t worry about stars, rankings, offers, or any of that – come early, stay late, and work even harder.
Why do you wear #55?
My dad wore it when he played growing up and I wore it all throughout peewee so it’s a number I love wearing.
What is the best part of your hometown, Corinth, TX?
For me it’s the fact that my family is here in Corinth. A lot of memories growing up in this area and my family being here means it’s still home.
Who do you choose: Jordan, LeBron, Steph or Kobe? Why?
LeBron, he’s physically more dominating than the other 3 and is almost as good in any other category as those 3 (other than Steph’s shooting lol).
Are you a PS4 or Xbox One guy? What games are you playing right now?
I grew up playing Xbox but I don’t have a console right now so I’m not playing anything.
What has been your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Participating in FTK and getting the opportunity to volunteer for other organizations that help people out.
If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be?
That poverty wouldn’t exist, that the cure for cancer would be found, and that the name of Jesus would be known across the world.
What is your hidden talent?
Being able to whistle with my hands.
If there is a book written about Josiah Tauaefa, what is the title?
Probably “Healed and Highly Favored.”
What are three things on your “Bucket List?”
- Skydive.
- See the Northern Lights.
- To see Cirque du Soleil.
Are you binge watching anything right now?
The Punisher has my attention right now, it’s solid.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you choose to use it?
To relax, maybe call a few people, watch some TV and chill.
If you could tackle any NFL RB, past or present, who would it be & why?
I’d love to see what it’s like to tackle Marshawn Lynch.
What are three words to give NFL scouts that define Josiah Tauaefa?
- Moldable.
- Intelligent.
- Workhorse.
What is your inspiration?
To use the gifts God has given me to the best of my ability, positively take advantage of the platform football has provided/will provide, and to provide for my future family.
What current/former NFL player do you compare yourself to?
I like to think that I fly around with the same reckless aggression that Troy Polamalu did when he played.
