Jay Tufele is officially headed to the NFL.
On Saturday, the former Bingham High star and USC defensive tackle was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round (106th overall pick) in the 2021 NFL draft. He was the first player taken on Day 3 of the draft.
“Tufele is the latest in a collection of defensive picks for the Jaguars, who have now added four defensive linemen via free agency and the draft,” NFL.com Nick Shook wrote in analyzing the pick. “... The Jaguars hope the selection of Tufele helps Jacksonville improve from its 30th-ranked rushing defense in 2020, and 31st-ranked unit in points allowed per game and sacks recorded. With Tufele arriving to provide some force on the inside, the path toward success continues for rebuilding Jacksonville.”
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Tufele signed with USC in 2017 and redshirted his first year. He then played two seasons for the Trojans, appearing in 25 games and tallying 65 tackles (36 solo, 29 assisted) with 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. In 2019, he earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors before opting out of the 2020 season and declaring for the draft.
“Tufele was an explosive, hard-charging defensive lineman who flashed a complete game and made plays on the ball. He’s a potential three-technique tackle, but must add power to complete his game,” wrote Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco highlighted Tufele’s versatility as a bonus for the Jaguars.
“Tufele opted out of the 2020 season because several family members contracted COVID-19. However, he was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection in 2019 when he had 41 tackles (6.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks as a sophomore,” DiRocco wrote. “This pick likely signifies the end of the road for 2018 first-round pick Taven Bryan, who lost his starting job midway through the 2020 season. Tufele played defensive tackle and nose tackle at USC and at 6-3, 315 pounds, he has the size and versatility to play inside and outside.”