Talanoa Hufanga
refer to caption
Hufanga at the 2018 All-American Bowl
No. 29 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2000-02-01) February 1, 2000 (age 24)
Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Crescent Valley (Corvallis, Oregon)
College:USC (2018–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / Round: 5 / Pick: 180
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:181
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:2
Forced fumbles:2
Pass deflections:14
Interceptions:7
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Talanoa Hufanga (born February 1, 2000) is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

Hufanga attended Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis, Oregon.[1] He played safety, wide receiver, and quarterback. As a senior in 2017, Hufanga was the Polynesian High School National Player of the Year. He played in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game.[2] Hufanga committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football.[3][4][5]

College career

As a true freshman at USC in 2018, Hufanga played in eight games with five starts before suffering a season-ending broken collarbone.[6] He finished the season with 51 tackles.

As a sophomore in 2019, Hufanga started all 10 games he played in and recorded 90 tackles and 3.5 sacks.[7]

Hufanga returned to USC as a starter his junior year in 2020.[8][9] He and BYU quarterback Zach Wilson were selected as co-recipients of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.[10] For the 2020 season, Hufanga was a Consensus All-American.[11] He also won Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.[12]

College statistics

Year G Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg PD FF
2018 8 31 20 51 3.5 0.0 0 0 0.0 4 0
2019 10 58 32 90 7.5 3.5 0 0 0.0 3 2
2020 6 40 22 62 5.5 3.0 4 90 22.5 1 2
Career 24 129 74 203 16.5 6.5 4 90 22.5 8 4

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		199 lb
(90 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 4.64 s 1.63 s 2.65 s 4.39 s 6.96 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		 12 reps
All values from Pro Day[13][14]

Hufanga was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, 180th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.[15]

2021 season

On May 13, 2021, Hufanga signed his four-year rookie contract.[16]

During his rookie season, Hufanga primarily played on special teams and recorded 32 tackles and two pass deflections in 15 games and three starts.[17] During the Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers, he recovered and returned a blocked punt for a critical touchdown which eventually set up a 13–10 upset road victory for the 49ers.[18][19]

2022 season

During the season-opening 19–10 road loss to the Chicago Bears, Hufanga had a team-high 11 tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception.[20] In the next game against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded six tackles and two pass deflections during the 27–7 victory.[21] Two weeks later against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, Hufanga had four tackles, a pass deflection, and a 52-yard pick six in the 24–9 victory.[22]

During a Week 5 37–15 road victory over the Carolina Panthers, Hufanga recorded five tackles, a pass deflection, and his first NFL sack.[23] Two weeks later against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in the 44–23 loss.[24] During a Week 10 22–16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on NBC Sunday Night Football, Hufanga recorded two tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in the 22–16 victory.[25] Two weeks later against the New Orleans Saints, he had a team-high nine tackles and a forced fumble in the 13–0 shutout victory.[26] During a Week 15 21–13 road victory over the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, Hufanga recorded five tackles, a pass deflection, and a strip-sack as the 49ers clinched the NFC West.[27] In the next game against the Washington Commanders, he had eight tackles and a pass deflection during the 37–20 victory.[28]

Hufanga finished his second professional season with 97 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass deflections, and two forced fumbles in 17 games and starts.[29] Hufanga also earned a Pro Bowl nomination and first team All-Pro honors.[30][31] In the playoffs, he recorded 16 tackles and a pass deflection before the 49ers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.[32][33][34]

Hufanga was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[35]

2023 season

During the season-opening 30–7 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hufanga had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception.[36] Two weeks later against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football, he recorded a tackle, a pass deflection, and an interception as the 49ers won by a score of 30–12.[37]

During a Week 8 31–17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Hufanga recorded a team-high 10 tackles (tied with Isaiah Oliver and Fred Warner).[38] Following a Week 9 bye, the 49ers went on the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that game, Hufanga had a team-high eight tackles (tied with Dre Greenlaw), a pass deflection, and an interception during the 34–3 blowout victory.[39] The following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he recorded a tackle before leaving the eventual 27–14 victory in the third quarter with a knee injury.[40] It was later revealed that Hufanga tore his ACL, prematurely ending his season.[41]

Hufanga finished the 2023 season with 52 tackles, three interceptions, and three pass deflections in 10 games and starts.[42] Without Hufanga, the 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII but lost in overtime by a score of 25–22 to the Chiefs.[43]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TfL Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2021 SF 15 3 32 24 8 1 0.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 SF 17 17 97 66 31 5 2.0 9 4 61 15.3 52T 1 2 0 0
2023 SF 10 10 52 39 13 1 0.0 3 3 48 16.0 28 0 0 0 0
Career 42 30 181 129 52 7 2.0 14 7 109 15.6 52T 1 2 0 0

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TfL Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2021 SF 2 0 1 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 SF 3 3 16 9 7 0 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 SF 0 0 Did not play due to injury
Career 5 3 17 9 8 0 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

Hufanga is of Tongan descent. He is the son of Tevita and Tanya Hufanga and has a brother named Terry.[44][45] Hufanga also trains with Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.[46][47]

References

  1. ^ Lundeberg, Bob (August 19, 2017). "Prep football: CV's Hufanga remains hungry, humble". Corvallis Gazette Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ Whelan Jr., Tim (October 12, 2017). "Top-rated athlete Talanoa Hufanga first in his school's history to receive Army All-American jersey". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  3. ^ Nemec, Andrew (December 23, 2017). "Report: Talanoa Hufanga, nation's No. 1 athlete, signs with USC over Oregon, others". OregonLive. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  4. ^ Lundeberg, Bob (December 28, 2017). "Prep football: CV's Hufanga headed to USC". Corvallis Gazette Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Lundeberg, Bob (December 30, 2017). "Prep football: Hufanga lands with dream school". Corvallis Gazette Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Grosbard, Adam (October 10, 2019). "How Talanoa Hufanga overcame two collarbone breaks to become one of USC's defensive leaders". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Nguyen, Thuc Nhi (December 7, 2020). "Talanoa Hufanga a relentless defensive machine in USC's win over Washington State". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  8. ^ Grosbard, Adam (December 15, 2020). "Talanoa Hufanga peaking at right time for USC defense". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Kartje, Ryan (December 10, 2020). "Talanoa Hufanga has become USC's everywhere man on defense". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Lundquist, Casey (January 12, 2021). "Zach Wilson Named 2020 Polynesian Player of the Year". SI.com. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "Consensus All-America Teams (2020-2022)". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  14. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga, Southern Calofirnia, SS, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Posey, Kyle (May 1, 2021). "The 49ers select S Talanoa Hufanga out of USC with Pick No. 180 in the fifth round". Niners Nation. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Links, Zachary (May 13, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  17. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers - January 22nd, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  19. ^ Larrabee, Kirk (January 27, 2022). "Jordan Willis tells the story behind his famous blocked punt -- and why it was such a twist of fate for the 49ers". 49ers Webzone. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  20. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears - September 11th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers - September 18th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - October 3rd, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers - October 9th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  24. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers - October 23rd, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers - November 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  26. ^ "New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers - November 27th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks - December 15th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  28. ^ "Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers - December 24th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  29. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  30. ^ "2022 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "2022 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  32. ^ "Wild Card - Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – January 14th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  33. ^ "Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – January 22nd, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  34. ^ "NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles – January 29th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "2023 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 8th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  37. ^ "New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - September 21st, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers - October 29th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  39. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars – November 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  40. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers - November 19th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  41. ^ Wagoner, Nick (November 20, 2023). "49ers lose All-Pro safety Hufanga to torn ACL". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  42. ^ "Talanoa Hufanga 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  43. ^ "Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  44. ^ Grosbard, Adam (April 29, 2021). "Talanoa Hufanga's roots in Tonga prepared him for USC and the NFL draft". Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  45. ^ Kruse, Ethan (January 8, 2022). "Talanoa Hufanga - Being Present". His Huddle. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  46. ^ "Hufanga explains why he didn't use social media while at USC". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. December 11, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  47. ^ Grosbard, Adam (March 23, 2021). "USC's Talanoa Hufanga training with Troy Polamalu ahead of NFL draft". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 13, 2023.

External links

San Francisco 49ers roster
Talanoa Hufanga—awards, championships and honors
Categories