Jayleen Pea Tufele Bio
Jayleen Pea Tufele, known professionally as Jay Tufele, is an American professional football defensive tackle who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). After a standout college career with the USC Trojans, he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 305 pounds, Tufele has built his reputation as a hard-working interior lineman capable of anchoring a defensive front.
Across his professional career, Tufele has suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Jets, and most recently the Detroit Lions, where he is currently listed as an active member of the roster. He earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019, cementing his place among the conference’s top defensive prospects during his final college seasons.
Early Life and Background
Jayleen Pea Tufele was born on July 25, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in the Salt Lake City area and attended Bingham High School in nearby South Jordan, Utah, where he quickly emerged as one of the most promising young defensive linemen in the region. His size, strength, and motor made him a natural fit for the trenches, and his high school résumé reflected that potential from an early stage.
As a sophomore in 2014, Tufele cracked the varsity lineup and produced 63 tackles along with six sacks, performances that earned him a spot on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first team. The following season, he helped lead a Bingham defense that recorded eight shutouts, adding 57 tackles and 10.5 sacks while being named the Salt Lake Tribune’s high school football most valuable player. His senior year was cut short by a torn ligament in his foot, which kept him off the field but did not slow his recruitment.
Beyond football, Tufele also played rugby in high school, a credit to his athletic versatility. He was rated as a consensus top-40 national recruit and drew scholarship offers from more than 20 programs, including Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Utah, and the University of Southern California. On National Signing Day, he announced his commitment to the USC Trojans and enrolled in June, setting the stage for his collegiate career.
Path to American Football
Tufele’s path to professional football began in earnest when he joined the USC Trojans, where he was expected to develop into a foundational defensive tackle. He redshirted the 2017 season, using the year to learn the defensive system, build his body, and adjust to the speed of the college game. The patience paid off, as he emerged as one of the most impactful young linemen in the Pac-12 Conference during his first active season.
In 2018, Tufele appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman and made five starts, finishing with 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. One of his most memorable moments came in a Week 8 game against Utah, when he returned a fumble 48 yards for a touchdown, a play that earned him nomination for the Piesman Trophy, given to the most impressive play by a lineman. After that breakout year, he was named to the All-Pac-12 second team, received USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year award, and was honored as a Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honorable mention.
The following season, Tufele elevated his game further. In 2019, he started all 13 games and racked up 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, the second-highest sack total on the team. His dominant play earned him First-team All-Pac-12 recognition, an honorable mention on Phil Steele’s All-American team, and a repeat selection as USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. He also collected Freshman All-American honors for his 2018 season, signaling he was ready for the next level.
Jayleen Pea Tufele Career
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2021–2022)
Jay Tufele entered the NFL when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the 106th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 21, 2021, and began his first professional training camp in Jacksonville. As a rookie, he contributed on the defensive line while adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL offensive schemes.
His first season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 29, 2021, but he was activated on December 4 and returned to action late in the year. On August 30, 2022, the Jaguars waived Tufele, ending his initial stint with the organization that had drafted him.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022–2024)
Just one day after being waived by Jacksonville, Tufele was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on August 31, 2022. He joined a deep defensive line rotation and was listed as the third nose tackle on the depth chart behind D. J. Reader and Josh Tupou. Over the next three seasons, he provided valuable depth and contributed to a defensive front that helped the Bengals remain competitive in the AFC.
Tufele’s role in Cincinnati was primarily that of a reliable rotational lineman, and he was part of a defensive unit that consistently ranked among the league’s more physical groups. His tenure with the Bengals ended in March 2025, opening the door for his next career move.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On March 17, 2025, Tufele signed with the New York Jets, beginning a new chapter of his professional career. He appeared in 12 games for the Jets, including two starts, and recorded 12 tackles as a backup interior lineman. Tufele provided stability along the defensive front and quickly became a trusted presence in the team’s rotation.
His 2025 season was cut short on December 26, when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a foot injury during a Week 16 game against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the abbreviated finish, Tufele had demonstrated his value as a durable, hard-nosed defender for the Jets.
Detroit Lions Era (2026–Present)
On April 29, 2026, Tufele signed with the Detroit Lions, joining one of the most aggressive defensive lines in the NFL. He is currently listed as an active member of the roster and wears jersey number 57. The move gives him an opportunity to compete for a larger role within a deep and talented defensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Tufele’s career, his 48-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Utah in 2018 stands out as a defining college highlight and earned him Piesman Trophy nomination. In the NFL, his draft selection by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, his subsequent movement through Cincinnati, New York, and Detroit, and his consistent presence on active rosters mark the milestones of a player who has steadily carved out a long-term role in the league.
Jayleen Pea Tufele Career Statistics
Jay Tufele’s professional résumé includes stints with four NFL franchises, highlighted by 56 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass deflection through the 2025 season. His college production at USC, where he earned All-Pac-12 recognition in both 2018 and 2019, laid the foundation for a career built on steady contributions along the defensive line.
Professional Highlights
Through the 2025 NFL season, Tufele had recorded 56 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass deflection across his time with the Jaguars, Bengals, and Jets. His 12-tackle performance for the New York Jets in 2025 stood as a strong individual season before a foot injury ended his year.
College Highlights
At USC, Tufele accumulated 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks across his redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore seasons, earning Second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2018 and First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019.
Jayleen Pea Tufele Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tufele is of Polynesian descent and comes from a family with a strong athletic tradition. His father, Line Tufele, also played football, helping to inspire Jay’s early interest in the sport. Tufele grew up with two sisters and two younger brothers, a tight-knit family that supported his development into a Division I athlete and NFL player.
Personal Life
Off the field, Tufele is recognized for his Polynesian heritage and the cultural values that shape his identity. While his professional commitments have taken him across the country, his family roots in Utah remain an important part of his personal story. Public details about his marital status and children have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Jay Tufele’s 2025 season with the New York Jets represented a productive stretch in his career, as he played in 12 games and made two starts while recording 12 tackles. Working primarily as a backup interior lineman, he provided the Jets with steady depth along the defensive front and contributed to one of the league’s more physical defensive rotations.
The season was unfortunately cut short on December 26, when Tufele was placed on season-ending injured reserve following a foot injury sustained in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. The injury prevented him from finishing the year, but his body of work through 12 games demonstrated his durability and the trust the coaching staff placed in him.
Looking ahead, Tufele’s move to the Detroit Lions in April 2026 sets up an exciting new opportunity. Joining one of the NFL’s most aggressive defensive lines, he will look to compete for a larger role and continue building on the momentum he established during his 2025 campaign in New York.