The BYU Cougars football program landed its second legacy commit in as many tries for its 2026 recruiting class on Tuesday, and this one has NFL pedigree.
On Tuesday night, edge rusher Penisimani “PJ” Takitaki of Lehi High announced his pledge to the Cougars on social media. He is the nephew of former BYU star Sione Takitaki, who has been in the NFL since 2019 after a remarkable career in Provo and is currently with the New England Patriots.
Listed by 247 Sports at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, PJ Takitaki also holds a scholarship offer from Cal and he has been recruited by numerous other Power 4 programs.
This last season as a junior, he tallied 59 tackles, nine sacks, an interception and a defensive touchdown for Lehi as it advanced to the 6A state semifinals, according to the Deseret News high school football statistical database.
PJ Takitaki becomes the second prospect in the Class of 2026 to commit to BYU, joining Arizona cornerback Justice Brathwaite, whose father Reynaldo was a Cougar running back in the early 2000s.