Toa Taua (born February 15, 2000)Sports Illustrated Profile. Retrieved March 8, 2025. is an American professional football running back for the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Early life Taua was born in Lompoc, California, as one of six children to Faletui and Taua Taua. He attended high school in Lompoc where he played outside linebacker and running back from 2014 to 2017 with the Lompoc Braves.Recruitment Profile on HUDL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025. Taua totaled 73 touchdowns including 26 touchdowns made in his senior year. He also totaled as many as 200 career tackles.Nevada Wolf Pack Profile. Retrieved March 8, 2025. In his junior year, Taua earned the 2016 All-Area MVP award. He also became a three-time Los Padres League MVP winner. Rated a four-star recruitment prospect, Taua received as many as ten scholarship offers.Recruitment Profile on 247 Sports.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
College career Taua committed to the University of Nevada and joined the field in 2018. As a freshman running back with the Nevada Wolf Pack, Taua played in all 13 games. During his freshman season, Taua led the Wolf Pack with 872 rushing yards and placed second with six rushing touchdowns. During his junior season in 2020, Taua earned All-Mountain West Second Team honors and was on pre-season watchlists to receive the Doak Walker and Paul Hornung Awards. During his senior season in 2021, Taua played in all 13 games, finishing with a season total of six rushing touchdowns. In his fifth and final year at Nevada, Taua started in 11 of 12 games and earned an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. While at Nevada, Taua was a General studies major. Taua entered the 2023 NFL draft.
Statistics Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD 2018 Nevada 13 4 178 872 4.9 6 22 202 9.2 1 2019 Nevada 13 10 196 807 4.1 6 30 185 6.2 0 2020 Nevada 8 8 114 675 5.9 4 31 214 6.9 1 2021 Nevada 13 13 150 730 4.9 6 39 296 7.6 1 2022 Nevada 12 9 217 911 4.2 11 41 295 7.2 1 Career 59 44 855 3,995 4.7 33 163 1,192 7.3 4
Professional career
On May 1, 2023, Taua participated in the Philadelphia Eagles' team rookie minicamp.Murray, Chris. May 1, 2023. Nevada Sports: "Nevada's Toa Taua gets rookie camp deal; full recap of Mountain West players at NFL draft. on Nevada Sports Net.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
Michigan Panthers Taua signed with the Michigan Panthers and played his first game on June 10, 2023. He re-signed with the Panthers and played in two games during the 2024 season.Larsen, James. May 20, 2024. Pro Football News: "Michigan Panthers Lose Wes Hills, Re-Sign Toa Taua." Retrieved March 8, 2025.Profile on Football Database. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
On March 20, 2025, Taua was released by the Panthers and re-signed on April 10. He would later become a starting running back for the Panthers.
Cleveland Browns On July 26, 2025, Taua signed with the Cleveland Browns. On August 21, Taua was waived by the Browns.
Michigan Panthers (second stint) On September 18, 2025, Taua re-signed with the Panthers.
Columbus Aviators On January 13, 2026, Taua was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL draft.
USFL/UFL career statistics
Year Team League Games Rushing Receiving 2023 MICH USFL 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2024 MICH UFL 2 0 8 26 3.3 12 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2025 MICH 7 4 81 357 4.4 21 6 9 76 8.4 25 0 2026 CLB 10 3 65 311 4.8 22 3 15 92 6.1 17 0 Career 20 7 154 694 4.5 22 9 24 168 7.0 25 0
Personal life Taua has two sisters named Lagi and Tasi. His older brother Vai Taua previously played college football at Nevada before signing with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 and 2012 NFL seasons. Taua's brother Ainuu also played college football for the UCLA Bruins. Taua named Junior Seau as his sports hero.
References
External links Nevada Wolf Pack Profile ESPN Profile HUDL Profile Fox Sports Profile