Jahlani Karl Tavai (born September 28, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He is the younger brother of J. R. Tavai and older brother of Justus Tavai. He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
College career
College statistics Year Team GamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles GP GS Solo Ast Total Loss Sack Int Yards Avg TD PD FR Yards TD FF 2014 Hawaii Redshirt 2015 Hawaii 13 11 26 30 56 5.0 3.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 Hawaii 14 14 85 43 128 20.0 7.0 1 0 0.0 0 2 2 12 0 2 2017 Hawaii 12 12 66 58 124 11.0 5.5 1 8 8.0 0 1 1 15 0 0 2018 Hawaii 8 8 42 40 82 6.0 2.0 0 0 0.0 0 2 0 0 0 1Career 47 45 219 171 390 42.0 17.5 2 8 4.0 0 5 3 27 0 3
Professional career
Detroit Lions Tavai was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. He played in 15 games in six starts, recording 58 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, two passes defensed and an interception. He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2019.
On August 31, 2021, Tavai was waived by the Lions as part of the final pre-season roster cuts.
New England Patriots After being released by Detroit, on September 1, 2021, the New England Patriots signed Tavai to their practice squad, eventually activating him, while reuniting with Matt Patricia, his former head coach in Detroit. He was promoted to the active roster on October 13.
Tavai began the 2022 season as a backup linebacker. He was named a starter in Week 5 and remained there the rest of the season. On November 29, 2022, Tavai signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension with the Patriots. He finished the season with 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed.
On July 2, 2024, Tavai signed a three-year contract extension with the Patriots worth $15 million. He played in 17 games (16 starts) for New England, recording one interception, five pass deflections, one sack, and 115 combined tackles.
Tavai began the 2025 season on injured reserve after suffering an undisclosed injury. On October 4, 2025, Tavai was activated ahead of New England's Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. He started for New England in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
On March 11, 2026, Tavai was released by the Patriots.
Jacksonville Jaguars On August 7, 2026, Tavai signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Personal life In December 2025, Tavai's partner Kalei Mau was in a six-day coma due to a severe infection, which ultimately resulted in the death of their unborn daughter.
NFL career statistics LegendBoldCareer high
Regular season YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR 2019 DET 15 6 58 37 21 2.0 5 0 2 1 2 2.0 2 0 1 0 2020 DET 16 10 58 32 26 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 – – – 2 1 2021 NE 13 0 14 6 8 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 – – – 0 1 2022 NE 17 12 69 37 32 1.5 2 0 2 0 0 – – – 0 0 2023 NE 17 16 110 65 45 1.0 5 0 5 2 2 1.0 2 0 2 0 2024 NE 17 16 115 58 57 1.0 7 0 5 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2025 NE 12 7 42 21 21 0.0 4 0 0 0 0 – – – 1 0Career 107 67 466 256 210 5.5 25 0 14 4 4 1.0 2 0 6 2
Postseason YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR 2021 NE 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 – – – – 0 0 2025 NE 4 2 8 2 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 – – – – 0 0Career 5 2 8 2 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 – – – – 0 0
References
External links Jacksonville Jaguars bio Hawaii Rainbow Warriors bio