This Older Brother Just Gave UW's New Recruit the Ultimate Compliment
Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei walked through Husky Pro Day looking noticeably leaner, down 15 pounds from the season and carrying a new 6-foot-4, 270-pound frame. The move sparked speculation about a position shift back to edge rusher, the spot where he started at Arizona in 2024. One year at UW is done, and he's moving on to chase an NFL career. But here's the thing: the Huskies aren't finished with the Uiagalelei family. Not even close.
Little Brother, Big Statement
About a month ago, Ta'ita'i's younger brother Matamatagi Uiagalelei committed to Washington. The 3-star edge rusher from Mater Dei, the Southern California powerhouse, picked the Huskies over Miami, Michigan, Missouri, and others. When asked about his brother's decision, Ta'ita'i didn't hold back. "I'm so excited for him," he said. "He's going to love it here. I love it here. I miss it so much."
But the real kicker? Ta'ita'i basically threw himself under the bus in the best way possible. "Honestly, you might be getting a better guy than me," he said. High praise from someone who actually knows what it takes to play at this level.
What the Younger Uiagalelei Brings
Matamatagi is slightly smaller than his brother at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds heading into his senior year at Mater Dei, but don't let that fool you. He's versatile, maybe even more so than Ta'ita'i because he's also a basketball player. Last season, he appeared in nine games and racked up 28 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He also shared the field with UW freshman offensive tackle Kodi Greene at Mater Dei, which means he's already got a connection on the team.
"He's got the toughness to play anywhere, inside or out," Ta'ita'i said. That kind of flexibility is gold for a defensive coordinator.
The Older Brother's UW Chapter
As for Ta'ita'i, his one season in Seattle included starting all 13 games after transferring from Arizona. He finished with 20 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. He was steady, a space filler who kept offenses from running wild on the Huskies. Now he's heading to Pro Day and chasing the next level.
What's interesting is Ta'ita'i says he stayed out of his younger brother's recruitment. "It was let him do his own thing," he explained. "He made his own decision and I'm so proud of him." Not every big brother steps back like that, especially when he's got valuable intel about the program.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.