2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Junior Tafuna, DT, Utah

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Junior Tafuna, #58
School (Code)	University of Utah (UTUN)
Class Yr	RS SR
Height, Weight	6021e, 308e
40 Yd Dash	5.04e
Position/Depth	DT/1st
Honors/Captainship	2nd Team All-Pac-12 (‘21-’23)
Season Viewed (yr)	2023
Games Watched	CALA, @WAUN, COUN, ILNW (Bowl)
Scout Name / Date	Mike Bey 8/23/24

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	11 GP, 11 GS, 17 Tkl, 3 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 PBU
2022	14 GP, 14 GS, 27 Tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 2 QBH, 1 PBU
2021	13 GP, 11 GS, 33 Tkl, 5.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 1 FR, 1 PBU
2020	N/A (Redshirt)

Player Summary:

RS SR and 3 yr full-time starter on the DL where he aligns at 0T, 1T, 2i and 3T in the 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 Nickel heavy defense of UTUN. He possesses ordinary height with solid weight and above-average speed with a powerful build. He is a good athlete showing above-average lateral quickness and agility with good explosiveness, acceleration, COD and solid balance with above-average play speed. He is solid overall against the run. He shows good burst off the ball taking a quick first step and firing off at a solid pad level. He exhibits very good UOH in his punch, placement and timing striking the breastplate of the OG with subpar length before disengaging. He locates the RB quickly before making the tackle in his gap and also displays great range, playing outside the tackle box with solid instincts when pursuing the outside run. He is average overall against the pass. He shows good get-off with above-average UOH as he wins battles with his hands inside and exhibits good play strength as he walks OG with below-average physical toughness back. He displays good lateral quickness and agility as he executes twists and stunts both towards the inside and outside. He does a sufficient job of getting his hands up in an effort to disrupt the passing lane for the QB. He plays with a solid motor as he plays until the whistle consistently. He exhibits very good mental toughness as he elevates his game on 3rd down as well as in the 4th qtr.  He maintains ordinary stoutness against double-team blocks from C/G and G/T with good play strength and foot drive which prevents him from consistently maintaining gap integrity. He possesses a marginal pass rush move repertoire consisting mainly of a bullrush which prevents him from quickly disengaging if he is stalemated at the POA against the pass.

Scheme Fit:

3T in a 4-3

Power Statement:

Experienced, athletic, tough player who is solid against the run and average against the pass. Above-average UOH helps him win battles with his hands inside against the run and pass. Limited pass rush move repertoire prevents him from quickly disengaging against the pass consistently.