USC Football: Ex-Trojans DL Drafted By CFL Club

How will be fare in the new league?

Nov 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni (31) reacts / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Former two-year USC Trojan defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni was selected in the first round of the draft—not the NFL draft, but the CFL draft. 

 The Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL drafted Taleni with their third overall pick in the first round. 

Afio mai, Tyrone Taleni!

With our first pick, third overall in the Global Draft, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have selected Tyrone Taleni, a Samoan-born former @uscfb Defensive Lineman.#CFLDraft | #GlobalDraft pic.twitter.com/Pi5B4E7dN8

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) April 30, 2024

Taleni spent two years with the Trojans from 2022-23, with 2022 being his best year in the Cardinal Red and Gold. In 2022, he collected 25 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble in 12 games with nine starts. He ended the season by being named to the AP All-Pac-12 Second Team. 

Taleni's 2023 season as a redshirt senior was less impactful. He collected only 11 tackles in 10 games, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. 

The defensive lineman transferred from Kansas State, where he spent two seasons from 2020-21. He only appeared in three games as a sophomore. In his junior season, 2021, he collected four tackles and one sack in several games. 

Taleni stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 275 pounds. He hails from Western Samoa. 

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