Longhorns Sign Coveted EDGE Tausili Akana

The Longhorns got a big surprise on Early Signing Days, inking a signature from 4-star EDGE Tausii Akana

Matt Galatzan | Dec 21, 2022

AUSTIN - For the second year in a row, the Texas Longhorns have gotten a big surprise on Early Signing Day. Last year it was in the secondary, flipping Terrance Brooks from Ohio State.

The season, the surprise occurred along the defensive line, and more specifically at the edge spot, securing the signature of 4-star defensive end and pass rusher Tausii Akana of Sky Ridge (Lehi, UT).

Akana picked the Longhorns over hot pursuit from Oklahoma, Louisville, Utah, LSU, Texas A&M and more, with the Sooners seemingly emerging as a late favorite before his decision.

Akana also held offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, USC, and many more.

He finished his senior campaign with 63 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 19 quarterback hurries.

Akana will now join a defensive line room that is set to include fellow elite recruits such as Sydir Mitchell, Billy Walton, Derion Gullette, and Colton Vasek.

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Published Dec 21, 2022

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.