The United Football League (UFL) announced on Tuesday that St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Pita Taumoepenu was named the 2025 UFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Pita Taumoepenu is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 31-year-old from Euless, Texas, re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks on October 18, 2024. In 2025, Taumoepenu made 27 tackles (15 solos, 12 assists), five tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in nine games. His 7.5 sacks set a new franchise record and he was named the All-UFL Team in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Taumoepenu in the sixth round (202nd pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played two seasons in San Francisco making three tackles (3 solo) in six games. The 49ers released him on May 28, 2019. Taumoepenu also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and the Denver Broncos. He played a total of 11 NFL regular season games making five tackles (5 solos).
Taumoepenu was drafted by the Vegas Vipers (XFL) in the fourth round (32nd pick) in Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, he made 26 tackles (21 solos, 5 assists), 8 pass breakups, two pass breakups, 7.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 10 games. He was named to the All-XFL Team and was named Defensive Player of the Year.
He was released by the Vipers on August 7, 2023, and signed with the New York Jets on August 8, 2023. He played three preseason games making four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) and one sack. The Jets released him on August 28, 2023.
The St. Louis Battlehawks signed Taumoepenu on December 23, 2023. In 2024, Taumoepenu made 20 tackles (12 solos, 8 assists), five tackles for loss, five sacks, and one forced fumble in nine games. In the 2024 XFL Conference Championship Game against the San Antonio Brahmas, Taumoepenu made one tackle (1 assist).
Collegiately, Taumoepenu played four seasons at Utah (2013-16) making 73 tackles (49 solos, 24 assists), 25.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 43 games for the Utes. His 21.5 sacks are the fifth-most all-time at Utah.
