Utah’s Semi Taulanga Providing Value In The “Rhino” Role
Oct 22, 2025, 10:21 AM | Updated: Oct 23, 2025, 9:45 am
University of Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars, College Football at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah on 10 18, 2025. (Photo: Joel A. Davidson / UteZone, 247Sports)
(Photo: Joel A. Davidson / UteZone, 247Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY — True freshman Semi Taulanga didn’t come to Utah expecting to catch passes. He didn’t even come expecting to play offense.
Yet, he’s come in as a 5-foot-11, 317-pound defensive lineman-turned-tight-end true freshman and provided a lot of value to that side of the ball.
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An unexpected moment for Semi Taulanga
“It was definitely unexpected,” Taulanga admitted, still smiling days later. “But I’m just happy I’m able to add value to the team. Playing that game I did against the team down south, it was unexpected — the ball coming to me — but I’m just happy I had the trust from Devon for him to throw that ball.”
The design created a clear opportunity for Devon Dampier to flip the ball his way. The freshman hauled it in, kept his balance, made a defender miss, and then powered through a Jack Kelly tackle attempt to muscle forward for a first down.
“A bunch of my family was reaching out,” he said. “Making that catch was a big deal for them, so that’s what makes me happy.”
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The play came early in the second quarter, with Utah trying to jumpstart an offense that had stalled on a promising drive. Facing 2nd-and-7 early in the possession, the Utes lined up heavy, disguising a power run look before leaking Taulanga out into the flat.
It was a bruising, feel-good moment in a tense rivalry game — the kind of gritty, improvised play that Utah fans love.
“I was definitely shocked,” he laughed. “But I’m just glad I was able to turn it into something and get a first down.”
From defensive recruit to offensive “Rhino” weapon
When Taulanga signed with Utah, the plan was simple: come in, develop under a great defensive tackle coach in Luther Elliss, and eventually work into the rotation.
But football has a funny way of testing players, coaches, and plans.
“We were down a couple of tight ends and Semi wasn’t really in the tackle rotation, and he’s played some fullback,” Kyle Whittingham explained. “We needed a backup running and an additional ‘rhino,’ which is the oversized tight end.”
That opened a door — and Taulanga didn’t hesitate to walk through it. He’s a tremendous fit in that rhino role given his stature and impressive athleticism.
“He was kind of just testing me out on offense, throwing me around, seeing what role I could play, whether it was fullback, tight end, and it kind of just happened from there,” Taulanga said of working with offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Whittingham praised both the creativity and the kid’s execution:
“It started out just short yardage stuff, and then it’s expanded from there,” Whittingham said. “Beck just keeps putting more on his plate offensively, and he keeps doing a good job with it.”
Semi Taulanga found a role — and is providing value
Taulanga’s story is the kind of depth-chart evolution Utah football prides itself on — selfless, team-first, and adaptable.
“My expectations was coming in as a defensive player,” Taulanga said. “But I think that’s a lot for everybody — if it doesn’t go your way, just being able to find some type of role on the team. I guess my role was on offense, and I’m just rolling with it.”
He’s not just rolling; he’s rumbling. In a season where Utah’s identity has been tested and reshaped, Taulanga’s emergence is a reminder of what still defines the program: toughness, trust, and an ability to make something out of nothing.
And for one play in the rivalry game — a game he never thought he’d impact — Semi Taulanga did exactly that.
