Russell Tialavea Athlete Profile - FTB

Russell Tialavea

Defensive Line #52

Ht/Wt

265 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Oceanside,

California

Last School

Oceanside High School

Roster Years

2005-2009 | 2012

Parents are Richard and Robyn
Served in the Chile Santiago West Mission (2009-11)
Recruited by Nebraska, Kansas State, UCLA, Oregon State, Arizona State, Utah, California, San Diego State, Colorado and Colorado State.

Named the Avocado League Defensive Player of the Year as a senior
A first-team All-Avocado League defensive lineman and a second-team All-CIF selection
Ranked as a top-30 defensive line prospect by one national recruiting service
Also ranked as the 58th top high school recruit in the state of California
Credited with 10 sacks as a junior
A three-year letterwinner in football
Led team to a 13-0 record as a senior
Also lettered in basketball

BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2006

Earned letterman honors as a freshman
Started seven games at nose tackle for the Cougars
Saw action in all 13 games during the season
Credited with 22 tackles, including 11 solos and 11 assisted takedowns
Had three tackles for a combined loss of 10 yards, including one sack for a five-yard loss
Had a season high four tackles against both Utah and Oregon
Totaled a season-high three solo tackles in the Cougars' 38-8 victory over Oregon in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl
Credited with two blocked kicks
A significant contributor on a defensive unit that gave up only 14.7 points per game, ranking 10th nationally
Part of a defense that ranked fourth nationally in turnover margin with +14 turnover margin (+1.08 pg)

Sophmore Year 2008

Junior Year 2009

Senior Year 2012

Earned letterman honors as a senior
Started all 13 games
Recorded 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and a team-high three blocked kicks
Recorded a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick against San Jose State while adding a season-high five tackles
Solid contributor to the No. 3 total defense in the country

Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 2007