Kyahva Tezino Bio
Kyahva Tezino (born June 21, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and competing at roughly 224 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and wears jersey number 31 for the Stallions. After going undrafted out of college in 2020, Tezino has built his career across multiple professional leagues, including the National Football League (NFL), the United States Football League (USFL), and the UFL.
Early Life and Background
Kyahva Tezino was born on June 21, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up with a single mother and was introduced to football at age five, the sport quickly becoming a central part of his childhood. His early years in Los Angeles laid the foundation for a disciplined, hard-working approach that would later define his professional reputation.
Tezino attended Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Los Angeles, where he quickly developed into one of the top defensive players in the program. He led the Salesian football team in tackles in each of his three varsity seasons, demonstrating consistent production and sideline-to-sideline range. By the end of his high school career, he was rated as a four-star recruit and attracted numerous scholarship offers from college programs across the country.
Originally, Tezino committed to play college football at Washington State before flipping his commitment to San Diego State. That decision set the stage for the next phase of his development as a linebacker and helped launch a decorated college career in the Mountain West Conference.
Kyahva Tezino Career
Path to American Football
Tezino’s path to professional American football began in earnest at San Diego State, where he spent four seasons with the Aztecs between 2015 and 2019. He appeared in 48 career games for the program and produced 290 total tackles along with 15.5 sacks, numbers that underlined his role as a high-volume defender. His college résumé established him as one of the most productive linebackers in Aztec history.
During his time at San Diego State, Tezino earned two first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors, recognition that placed him among the elite defenders in the league. He also became one of only six players in program history to receive multiple team Most Valuable Player awards, a rare distinction that reflected his leadership on and off the field. Those accomplishments kept him on NFL radar screens despite coming from a Group of Five program.
Early Career (2020)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tezino signed with the New England Patriots on May 26, 2020. His initial NFL opportunity came in a crowded linebacker room, and he was released on July 26, 2020, before the regular season began. The brief stint offered valuable exposure to a professional environment and a clear benchmark for the work ahead.
The very next day, on July 27, 2020, the Carolina Panthers selected Tezino, giving him a second consecutive NFL opportunity. That chapter was similarly short, however, as he was released on August 15, 2020. The two quick NFL stops provided important lessons about the margins of professional football, motivating Tezino as he sought his next opportunity.
Pittsburgh Maulers and San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023)
Tezino returned to professional football in the spring of 2022, when he signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League on February 24, 2022. With the Maulers, he became a defensive cornerstone, playing through the 2022 and 2023 USFL seasons. His level of play earned him a place on the 2023 All-USFL Team, and he also finished that year as the USFL’s solo tackles leader, a clear statistical confirmation of his individual impact.
On July 27, 2023, Tezino signed with the San Francisco 49ers, returning to the NFL in the preseason. He was released on August 29, 2023, but the opportunity reinforced his standing as a credible NFL-level linebacker. The pairing of USFL production and NFL practice-squad experience positioned him for the most successful stretch of his career.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2024–Present)
On January 10, 2024, Tezino signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, joining one of the spring league’s most dominant franchises. His first stint with the Stallions culminated in a championship, as the team won the 2024 UFL Championship on June 16, 2024. The title was the first league championship of his professional career and validated his decision to settle in Birmingham.
That summer, on August 19, 2024, Tezino signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, briefly returning to the league. He was released a week later on August 26, 2024, but the short stay did not slow his momentum. On January 22, 2025, he re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions, returning to the franchise that had delivered his breakthrough title.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tezino is best known for his tackling volume, his ability to play downhill against the run, and his reliability in coverage. He pairs instinctive play recognition with sound fundamentals, allowing him to finish tackles in space and contribute as a steady presence on early downs. The 2023 USFL solo tackles leader crown highlighted his consistency and his nose for the football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Tezino’s signature accomplishments are his 2023 All-USFL Team selection, his 2024 UFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions, and his selection to the All-UFL Team. Each milestone reflects a different phase of his career, from individual statistical recognition in the USFL to team success in the merged UFL.
Kyahva Tezino Career Wins
Across his professional career, Kyahva Tezino has accumulated individual recognition and a team championship across the USFL and UFL. His hardware includes a USFL solo tackles title, an All-USFL Team nod, a UFL Championship ring, and an All-UFL Team selection.
USFL and UFL Highlights
With the Pittsburgh Maulers, Tezino emerged as a defensive leader, earning a place on the 2023 All-USFL Team and leading the league in solo tackles that same season. His move to the Birmingham Stallions in 2024 produced the first team championship of his career, as the Stallions captured the 2024 UFL title. He was later named to the All-UFL Team, further cementing his reputation as one of the spring league’s most consistent linebackers.
Other Performances
Beyond his spring-league work, Tezino has logged NFL offseason and preseason time with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Those experiences broadened his professional foundation, even if his most sustained success has come in the USFL and UFL.
Kyahva Tezino Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Tezino’s family life remain limited. He was raised by a single mother in Los Angeles, and he has frequently credited that upbringing with shaping his work ethic and discipline. The family is not a multi-generational football lineage, and information about parents, siblings, or extended relatives has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
There is no widely confirmed public information about a spouse or children. Tezino has kept his personal life largely private, focusing public attention on his on-field production and his role with the Birmingham Stallions.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Tezino returned to the Birmingham Stallions after re-signing on January 22, 2025, reinforcing the linebacker group for a defending champion. The Stallions have continued to be built around a stout defense, and Tezino’s tackling volume and run-defense instincts fit that identity.
His 2025 outlook leans on his prior production in the USFL and UFL, including his 2023 solo-tackles crown and his 2023 All-USFL recognition. With continuity at the linebacker position and familiarity with the defensive scheme, he is positioned to remain a central figure in the Stallions’ defensive plans.
Should the Stallions make another championship run in 2025, Tezino’s blend of experience, tackling consistency, and postseason poise would likely be a key ingredient. The combination of his spring-league résumé and his brief NFL exposure gives him both the résumé and the motivation to chase another title.
