Former UCLA defensive lineman Siale Taupaki has committed to transfer to Penn State football, per Tyler Calvaruso of 247Sports. Tuapaki has one year of eligibility remaining.

Tuapaki enrolled at UCLA in June 2019 and completed his seventh season as a Bruin in 2025. He did not play in all 12 games of a season until 2024, when he made seven starts and made the switch to defensive line from reserve offensive lineman. He tabbed 23 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and one sack.

The Oakland, California, native managed another year with appearances in all 12 games in 2025. He started for the Bruins against then-No. 2 Indiana in October. He recorded 15 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, one sack, and recovered a fumble against Michigan State.

Tuapaki was a three-star recruit ranked as the No. 90 player in California and No. 66 defensive tackle in the class of 2019, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings.

Tuapaki joins Keanu Williams as former UCLA defensive lineman to follow former Bruin defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe to Happy Valley.

About the Author

Oscar Orellana

Oscar is a third-year broadcast journalism student from Los Angeles. He's probably at the movies. He mostly writes about Penn State football. Email him at oscar@onwardstate.com.

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