Taki Taimani
Current teamMinnesota Vikings
Number94
PositionNose tackle
Birth dateOctober 6, 1999 (age 27)[1]
Birth placeSalt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lb324
High schoolEast (Salt Lake City, Utah)
CollegeWashington (2018–2021)
Oregon (2022–2023)
Undraftedyear2024
Pastteams
StatusActive
Statseason2024
Statlabel 1Total tackles
Statvalue 13
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statlabel 5Pass deflections
PfrTaimTa00

Sam "Taki" Taimani (born October 6, 1999)[1] is an American professional football nose tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies.

Early life

Taimani attended East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Washington Huskies.[2]

College career

Washington

In week 3 of the 2020 season, Taimani notched five tackles in a win over Utah.[3] In week 5 of the 2021 season, in a loss to Oregon State, he recovered a fumble which he returned 13 yards inside the Beavers 10-yard line.[4] In week 10 of the 2021 season, Taimani made the start where he tallied four tackles in a loss against Oregon.[5]

In his first four seasons at Washington from 2018 to 2021 Taimani totaled 71 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.[6] After the 2021 season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[7]

Oregon

Taimani transferred to play for the Oregon Ducks.[8] In his final two seasons with Oregon in 2022 and 2023, he recorded 36 tackles with two and a half being for a loss, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.[9][10]

Professional career

After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Taimani signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.[11] He was also selected by the Arlington Renegades in the 7th round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17, 2024.[12] Taimani made the Vikings' initial 53-man roster.[13]

On August 26, 2025, Taimani was waived by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts.[14] He was signed to the practice squad the next day.[15] On January 2, 2026, Taimani was signed to the active roster.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Taki Taimani". ourlads.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Jude, Adam (9 December 2017). "Huskies get commitment from four-star lineman Sam Taimani". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  3. ^ Raley, Dan (24 May 2020). "Identity Crisis? No, everyone knows Who Huskies' Taki Taimani Is". Washington Huskies on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ Raley, Dan (16 December 2021). "Taimani Leaves Disappointing UW Season Behind, Enters Transfer Portal". Washington Huskies on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  5. ^ Raley, Dan (8 October 2023). "When Taki Taimani Returns to Husky Stadium, Will UW Fans Notice?". Washington Huskies on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Sam Taimani College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". Sports Reference. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ Vorel, Mike (16 December 2021). "UW Huskies starting defensive lineman Sam 'Taki' Taimani enters NCAA transfer portal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  8. ^ Vorel, Mike (6 January 2022). "Former UW Huskies starting DL Sam 'Taki' Taimani announces transfer to rival Oregon". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Sam Taimani 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Sam Taimani 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  11. ^ Dietz, Alec (28 April 2024). "Minnesota Vikings sign Oregon's Taki Taimani as undrafted free agent:What to know". The Register-Guard. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  12. ^ "2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick". FoxSports.com. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Krammer, Andrew (2024-09-06). "Undrafted rookies Dwight McGlothern and Taki Taimani 'beat the odds' to make Vikings roster". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  14. ^ Peters, Craig (August 26, 2025). "Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2025". Vikings.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  15. ^ Peters, Craig (August 27, 2025). "Vikings Begin Forming 2025 Practice Squad". Vikings.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  16. ^ Buckhalter, Josh. "Vikings Add Underutilized Playmaker to Roster Before Finale". Heavy Sports. Retrieved 3 January 2026.