The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed offensive lineman Tavita ‘Asotui’ Eli on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Tavita ‘Asotui’ Eli is six foot three and weighs 287 pounds. The 29-year-old from Richmond, British Columbia, dressed in 18 games and one playoff game for the Blue Bombers in 2025.
In 2025, Winnipeg’s offense averaged 23.1 points per game, 345.7 net yards per game, 235 yards per game, 124.1 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 37 sacks to finish 10-8 for the season. They lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted him in the fourth round (34th pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft. Eli will enter his sixth season in Winnipeg, playing 70 games and helping them win two Grey Cup championships in 2019 and 2021.
In 2023, Eli dressed in 15 games. Winnipeg’s offense ranked first in total points (594), average points per game (31.7), offensive touchdowns (62), average net offense per game (414.7), average rushing yards per game (139.1), second in offensive touchdowns (65), average passing yards per game (292.4), and sacks allowed (33).
In 2024, Eli dressed in 18 games. Winnipeg’s offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36).
Collegiately, Eli spent three seasons at the University of Hawaii (2015-17), playing right guard, left guard, and center with one tackle (1solo) in 36 games for the Rainbow Warriors.
In 2017, he was part of an offensive line that helped lead Hawaii’s offense to its best rushing average (168.2) in 22 years, and 22 knockdowns. Eli was named to the pre-season Rimington Award watch list for the second straight year in 2017 and was also named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List before the season.
