Penn State football will have a completely overhauled roster to get to know in 2026 under new head coach Matt Campbell. Following one of the most active offseasons in recent memory for Penn State with a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, fans will have a lot of catching up to do in getting to know this year’s Penn State roster. Fortunately, not every face will be brand new to fans. Regardless, we will be here to give you a fresh overview of every player on the roster for the 2026 season with a series of player profiles.
From all of the returning players, a long list of new faces from the transfer portal, and incoming recruits from the Class of 2026, we will have you covered with this year’s player profiles for the Penn State roster. Here is a quick look at defensive lineman Siale Taupaki for the 2026 season.
Preseason Player Profile
- Hometown: East Oakland, California
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 326
- Class in 2026: Redshirt Senior+
Recruiting Rankings
Class of 2019: Composite 3-star recruit, No. 66 defensive tackle per 247Sports
Siale Taupaki was a three-star player coming out of high school back in the Class of 2019. The California native committed to UCLA over offers from Colorado and Oregon State in the end of his recruiting process. The only Big Ten program to have an offer on the table at the time was Illinois.
Taupaki was rated as a three-star transfer player in the 2026 transfer window, when he committed to Penn State.
Career Stats
Siale Taupaki has had some injury issues in the past that led to medical waivers allowing him to pursue an incredibly rare eighth year of eligibility (one extra year for being impacted by the 2020 COVID-19 season and a pair of medical waivers). Last season, Taupaki played in 12 games with one start for UCLA. He recorded 15 tackles with 2 TFL and 1 sack. He started seven games for the Bruins in the 2024 season and appeared in 12 games.
Depth Chart Overview
Siale Taupaki may not be a starter for the Penn State defense, but he will bring some good value to the defensive front as a rotational piece. He also brings a relationship with Penn State defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn (who coached Taupaki at UCLA) and defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe (who was UCLA’s defensive coordinator and defensive line coach last season). Taupaki and fellow UCLA transfer Keanu Williams could be interchanged at one defensive tackle position, and players like Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell could be names to watch at the other interior position.
Random Fact
Siale Taupaki earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA in political science.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Previewing the 2026 season for Penn State DL Siale Taupaki
