Will Taʻufoʻou (/tˈf./; born June 19, 1986) is a former American football fullback. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at California.

Will Taʻufoʻou
refer to caption
Taʻufoʻou during his tenure at Cal at the 2008 Emerald Bowl
No. 45
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1986-06-19) June 19, 1986 (age 38)
Redwood City, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:247 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Saint Francis
(Mountain View, California)
College:California
Undrafted:2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:18
Receiving yards:126

College career

edit

Taʻufoʻou played at Cal for four years, during which running backs Marshawn Lynch (2005 and 2006), Justin Forsett (2007), and Jahvid Best (2008) each ran for more than 1,000 yards, with Best becoming the 2008 Pac-10 rushing leader.[1]

Professional career

edit

Chicago Bears

edit

Taʻufoʻou was signed by the Chicago Bears as a free agent on April 27, 2009.[1] He was waived on September 4 and was placed on the team's practice squad on September 5, where he remained the entire season.

After his practice squad contract expired at season's end, Taʻufoʻou was re-signed to a future contract by the Bears on January 4, 2010.[2] He re-signed with the Bears again on July 29, 2011. He was waived on September 6.

Cleveland Browns

edit

The Cleveland Browns signed him to their practice squad on September 14, 2011. He was released from the practice squad on November 8.

Jacksonville Jaguars

edit

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Ta'ufo'ou on July 28, 2012. He was waived, signed to the practice squad, and promoted to the active roster multiple times in the 2012 season. He appeared in six games. He was signed to the active roster at the conclusion of the 2012 season.

In the 2013 preseason, Ta'ufo'ou assumed the starting fullback position after the departure of nine-year veteran Greg Jones.

He became a free agent after the 2014 season.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Three Former Cal Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts". University of California. April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
  2. ^ "Chicago Breaking Sports News - Chicago Tribune". www.chicagobreakingsports.com. May 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "For better or worse, Jaguars the latest team to fumble fullback position".
edit