The Orlando Storm released defensive end Tautala “T.J.” Pesefea Jr. on Wednesday, according to the UFL Transactions page.
Tautala ‘T.J.’ Pesefea Jr. is six foot three and weighs 314 pounds. The 25-year-old from Sacramento, California, was drafted by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 UFL Draft. He attended training camp, and the team released him on March 13, 2026. He re-signed with the Storm on April 1, 2026, but did not see any action.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Pesefea Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He played three preseason games with four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist).
The Bengals released him on September 12, 2023. Pesefea Jr. signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks on December 27, 2023. In 2024, Pesefea Jr. made 9 tackles (3 solos, 6 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery in 9 games.
The Battlehawks re-signed Pesefea Jr. on August 14, 2025. In 2025, Pesefea Jr. made 10 tackles (6 solos, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in nine games. In the playoffs, he made six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists).
Collegiately, Pesefea Jr. played one season at American River College in 2018 with 17 tackles (3 solos, 14 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup in 9 games for the Beavers. Then, Pesefea Jr. transferred to Arizona State (2019-22) with 75 tackles (35 solos, 40 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups in 40 games for the Sun Devils.
