Jay Toia
Current teamDallas Cowboys
Number93
PositionDefensive tackle
Birth dateJuly 16, 2003 (age 23)
Birth placeInglewood, California, U.S.[1]
Height6 ft
Height in2
Weight lb340
High schoolGrace Brethren
College
Draftyear2025
Draftround7
Draftpick217
Pastteams
StatusActive
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Games played
Statvalue 15
Statlabel 2Games started
PfrToiaJa00

Jay Toia (born July 16, 2003) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins. Toia was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life

Toia attended Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, California. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the USC Trojans.[2][3]

College career

USC

Toia spent spring practices with the Trojans as an early enrolled player in 2021.[4] After spending just a few months with the Trojans, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[5]

UCLA

Toia joined the UCLA Bruins before the start of the 2021 season, after spending the summer as a Trojan.[6] In the 2022 Sun Bowl, he notched a career-high ten tackles with two being for a loss against Pittsburgh.[7] In his first two collegiate seasons in 2021 and 2022, Toia notched 38 tackle with three being for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.[8] In 2023, he appeared in all 13 games for the Bruins while making 12 starts, where he notched 28 tackles with four being for a loss, and a sack.[9] After the season, Toia entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[10] However, shortly after, he decided to return to play for the Bruins.[11] In 2024, Toia totaled 25 tackles with two being for a loss, and a sack.

Professional career

Toia accepted an invite to play in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.[12]

Toai was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 217th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.[13]

Personal life

Toia's brother Siaki Ika was a defensive tackle at LSU and is currently a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. His brother Soane Toia is a defensive lineman at San Jose State, his cousin Stanley Ta'ufo'ou was a defensive lineman at USC and Toia's brother Abitoni is a rugby player in New Zealand.[14] Toia's uncle, Chris Maumalanga, played in 14 games for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals from 1994 to 1996.[15]

References

  1. ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide". The Athletic. p. 342. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  2. ^ Williams, James (9 June 2021). "DL Jay Toia commits to UCLA after spending spring with USC". Orange County Register. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  3. ^ Arledge, Chris (June 9, 2021). "Musings from Arledge: The Heart-Wrenching Story of Very Young Jay Toia". On3.com. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  4. ^ Rudolph, Justin (April 18, 2024). "UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  5. ^ Morales, Antonio (27 May 2021). "USC freshman Jay Toia's surprise trip to the transfer portal and a defensive line picture only getting cloudier". The Athletic. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  6. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (April 23, 2024). "Defensive lineman Jay Toia opts to remain at UCLA". ESPN. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  7. ^ Bolch, Ben (17 October 2024). "'I didn't want to be bought': Why Jay Toia returned to lead UCLA's scrappy defense". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  8. ^ Rudolph, Justin (April 23, 2024). "UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia intends to withdraw from NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  9. ^ Williams, James (22 April 2024). "DL Jay Toia returns to UCLA football". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  10. ^ Bolch, Ben (18 April 2024). "UCLA's defense suffers huge blow with star lineman Jay Toia entering transfer portal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  11. ^ Bolch, Ben (23 April 2024). "Jay Toia's dalliance with transfer portal ends in a triumphant return to UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  12. ^ Cavanaugh, Tom (December 13, 2024). "Three Bruin Seniors Accept Invites To East-West Shrine Bowl". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  13. ^ Walker, Patrik (April 26, 2025). "2025 NFL Draft: Jay Toia to Cowboys as 7th-Round Pick". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  14. ^ Van Buskirk, Emily (April 17, 2025). "NFL Draft: San José State's Soane Toia Embraces "Junkyard Dog" Mentality, CFB Lineage". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  15. ^ "Jay Toia Defensive Tackle UCLA - NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report". nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.