By Oliver Gable
Executive Sports Editor And
Cameron Ibrahim
Sports Editor
Mira Costa alumni John Robert Tavai signed a National Football League contract with the Tennessee Titans on May 2. Tavai signed with the team after playing four years as a linebacker with the University of Southern California Trojans.
Tavai signed on as an undrafted free agent after 53 tackles and 13.5 for losses in his last college season. Tavai started nine out of 11 of his games despite a knee injury that sidelined him for three to four weeks in October. His injury hindered him from being drafted, but his strong showing at USC’s pro-day increased his eligibility as a draftee. He also made honorable mention All Pac-12.
Although he started his career as a defensive tackle and defensive end, he spent most of the past year as an outside linebacker.
As a junior at Costa, Tavai had 92 tackles along with seven sacks. He was All-California Interscholastic Federation Western Division Defensive Most Valuable Player, South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay second team and All-Bay League MVP.
As a senior defensive lineman and fullback, he had 95 tackles with 12 sacks. He also had 278 yards on 59 carries with three touchdowns on offense. His honors included Super Prep All-Farwest; All-CIF Northern Division Defensive MVP; South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first team, and All-Bay League MVP.
Tavai is the first undrafted Trojan to agree to terms with a professional team this year.
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