The B.C. Lions re-signed defensive tackle Jonah Tavai to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season on Thursday.
Jonah Tavai is five foot ten and weighs 283 pounds. The 25-year-old from Inglewood, California, in 2025 made 26 tackles and five sacks in 13 games. He also added five tackles and a sack in two Grey Cup playoff games.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Tavai as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He attended training camp, and he was released by the Seahawks on July 26, 2023. The B.C. Lions signed Tavai on January 19, 2024. In 2024, he made 12 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 11 games. In the Western Semi-Final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Tavai made one tackle.
Collegiately, Tavai played one season at El Camino Community College in 2018 with 34 tackles (13 solos, 21 assists), six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six carries for 12 yards, and three touchdowns in ten games for the Warriors.
Then, he transferred to San Diego State (2019-22) with 147 tackles (77 solos, 70 assists), 36 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 48 games for the Aztecs. He was named First Team All-MWC in 2022. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year in 2022.
