Keanu Tanuvasa determined to make his last year of college football a memorable one

BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) celebrates after a tackle during game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Every time he walked onto the Zions Bank Practice Field behind the Student Athlete Building at BYU the past five weeks, or into the Indoor Practice Facility, Keanu Tanuvasa paused a moment to reflect on how much his life has changed the last couple of years.

“There’s been an extreme sense of gratitude,” the defensive tackle said on April 3, “and an overwhelming sense of urgency. ” At this time of year next year, Tanuvasa expects to be preparing to hear his name called in the NFL draft. That means he has to make the most of every practice, every weightlifting session, every workout, and every game this coming season.

“I feel great about this team and about my own individual pursuits, all according to God’s plan,” he said. “I feel like this team is on the verge of something really special. ” The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Tanuvasa, a redshirt senior from Mission Viejo, California, became a lightning rod in the BYU-Utah rivalry last year when he entered the transfer portal and eventually made the 50-mile move South after playing for the Utes for three years.

He was hailed as BYU’s biggest offseason acquisition last spring, and for the most part he delivered after a bit of a slow start. He became a team captain, started all 14 games for the 12-2 Cougars, and made 25 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups. He also blocked a kick in the Pop-Tarts Bowl , knocked down passes in the wins over Utah and Iowa State and loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game, and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.