PROVO, Utah – BYU senior linebacker Sione Takitaki will play in the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, Jan. 26. The game is being played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 1:30 p.m. CST and will be televised live on the NFL Network.
A native of Fontana, California, Takitaki was BYU’s top tackler in 2018, ranking 31st in the nation with 118 tackles. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker was an athletic and versatile defender for the Cougars, playing both outside and middle linebacker positions as well as defensive end during his career at BYU. Takitaki also participated in last week's East-West Shrine Game, where he earned All-Shrine Team honors by The Draft Network for his outstanding play.
A team captain, Takitaki earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2018 after helping the Cougars defeat No. 6 Wisconsin and finished his season setting a BYU bowl record with career-best 19 tackles in BYU’s bowl victory. He was named to the All-Bowl Team by both USA Today and Sports Illustrated. A Phil Steele All-Independent First Team honoree, Takitaki also led BYU in both unassisted (74) and assisted (44) tackles in 2018 and recorded nine tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
The Senior Bowl is the nation's most unique football game and football's premier senior showcase event. It annually features the country's best senior collegiate football players and top NFL draft prospects on teams representing the North and South that are coached by the entire coaching staffs of two National Football League teams.
Last season, BYU linebacker Fred Warner participated in the Senior Bowl and was drafted in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers. Warner went on to start all 16 regular season games and posted 124 tackles in 2018 as a rookie, ranking No. 12 overall in the NFL in total tackles.
Practices on Wednesday and Thursday will be televised live by NFL Network and the Wednesday and Thursday practices will also be covered live by ESPN on ESPNU. The NFL Network will produce hour-long recap shows each evening as well.
The Senior Bowl has been headquartered in Mobile, Alabama since 1951. In 2008, the Senior Bowl moved to its current location at 151 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. The Senior Bowl is housed inside a renovated historical building and features an interactive museum and theatre.