PROVO, Utah – An underrated standout during the 12-win season for BYU football in 2025 was John Taumoepeau.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle started in nine games and had 42 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in his senior campaign.
John Taumoepeau is seeking one more year with BYU football through a waiver
Now, with his senior year at BYU in the rearview mirror, he would be preparing for a potential pro opportunity. Instead, he’s looking at getting another season at BYU.
Taumoepeau posted a message on X saying as much.
Cougar nation need yall help ! Working on getting my Juco year back and need all the resources and connections I need. Please Pray for the NCAA to allow me to play with my brothers at BYU 1 more time🙏🏾love yall cougar nation pic.twitter.com/g9l7bjnZYL
— John Taumoepeau (@john_taumoepeau) January 3, 2026
“Cougar nation need yall help (sic) ! Working on getting my Juco year back and need all the resources and connections I need. Please Pray for the NCAA to allow me to play with my brothers at BYU 1 more time,” Taumoepeau posted on X.
Taumoepeau is a former transfer from Snow College. He was on the Snow College roster from 2021 to 2022.
He transferred to BYU in 2023, sat out that season, and played in 2024 and 2025, as the BYU program won 23 games over that stretch.
Last year, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia received an extra year of eligibility after suing the NCAA, claiming that time spent in junior college that counted toward his NCAA eligibility violated antitrust law.
Pavia went on to win the case and played in the 2025 season for Vanderbilt, earning a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
At the time, there was widespread misunderstanding that Pavia’s situation would result in a blanket waiver granting extended eligibility to all former junior college players. That didn’t happen, as former BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter didn’t receive an extra year.
Could Taumoepeau get a similar outcome as Pavia? If it happens, it would be a pleasant surprise and a welcome boost to the interior of the BYU defensive line, which already has Keanu Tanuvasa and Anisi Purcell committed to return next season.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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