Tai Lavatai is an American former college football player who was a quarterback for the Navy Midshipmen.
Early life Lavatai grew up in St. Johns, Florida, and attended Creekside High School where he lettered in football and baseball. In his high school career, Lavatai completed 124 of his 272 pass attempts for 1,772 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Lavatai would also rush for 607 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also hauling in a reception for 36 yards. Lavatai would decide to commit to play college football at the United States Naval Academy.
College career During Lavatai's true freshman season in 2020, he did not see any action on varsity.
During the 2021 season, he started and played in all 10 games and finished the season with 371 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and 170 carries (both being a team high record). He also completed 34 out of 61 passing attempts for 449 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. During the team's yearly game against Army, Lavatai led the team to a win with 62 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries while also completing four out of six passing attempts for 82 yards which are the second-most passing yards in his career.
During the 2022 season, he played in and started the first eight games before suffering a season ending injury while playing against Temple. Prior to the season, he was named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List. Lavatai finished the season with 309 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 115 carries while also completing 42 out of 91 passing attempts for 785 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions along with a 26 yard touchdown pass which was the first of his career.
During the 2023 season, Lavatai was named the starting quarterback for the third consecutive year after suffering an injury during the previous season. After the Week 5 game against North Texas, he was named as a candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. During the Week 6 game against Charlotte, Lavatai made only one offensive possession before suffering through a rib injury and not returning to the game.
Statistics Year Team Games Passing Rushing GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD 2020 Navy 0 0 — Did not play 2021 Navy 10 10 4−6 34 61 55.7 449 7.4 5 2 138.1 170 371 2.2 7 2022 Navy 8 8 3−5 42 91 46.2 785 8.2 5 3 130.2 115 309 2.7 5 2023 Navy 7 5 2−3 40 75 53.3 522 6.8 4 2 124.1 56 171 3.1 2Career 25 23 9−14 116 227 51.1 1,756 7.7 14 7 130.3 341 851 2.5 14
Military service Following his graduation from the Naval Academy in 2024, Lavatai entered the United States Navy as an officer in the Navy Supply Corps.
References
External links Navy Midshipmen bio