Defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni, a 2013 Kailua High graduate who was in on two sacks of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson in Pittsburgh’s upset win over the Tigers last season, was kicked off the team in April for disciplinary reasons.
Taleni, who is 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, had three sacks in seven games last year, including 1.5 sacks in the win over the Tigers, who went on to beat Alabama for the national title.
According to online reports, Taleni was expected to join Florida Atlantic and at one point, was listed on the official roster on the school’s website, but has since been removed.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported Tuesday that Taleni is considering Florida Atlantic, but has other options and has yet to decide.
Taleni didn’t play much early last season but was thrust into the lineup due to injuries and had big games against both Clemson and Miami, when he had a team-high eight tackles against the Hurricanes.
He was featured in our Hawaii Grown section last November.
Taleni is yet another high-profile college football player from Hawaii to transfer schools in the offseason, joining Kahuku alum Alohi Gilman (Navy to Notre Dame), Farrington alumnus Breiden Fehoko (Texas Tech to LSU) and Moanalua graduate Scott Pagano (Clemson to Oregon).
Bruddah get akamai … come home to play for Hawaii …
Big difference – Alohi transferred because of the Military obligation required after playing at Navy. No academic or disciplinary issues. Pagano graduated and has a year of eligibility to play somewhere else. Fehoko, who cares, thats just what his family does. Taleni it was because hes a mess.
808WarriorFan he has to go FCS he cant transfer to another FBS. he only has one year left to play so he cant transfer to Hawaii he’d have to sit out a year. No hardship excuse for waiver, he got kicked off the team.
at least thats how I think it is because FAU is FBS but they took him off the roster so is that why?