BREAKING: PJ Takitaki Stuns Recruiting World—Commits to BYU Over Tennessee, Oregon, and Three Other Power Programs in a Bold Move Rooted in Legacy, Faith, and Family
Provo, Utah — June 25, 2025
In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through the national recruiting landscape, four-star linebacker PJ Takitaki has officially committed to Brigham Young University, choosing the Cougars over powerhouse programs including Tennessee, Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M, and USC. The announcement came via a livestream on Wednesday afternoon, where the elite recruit, surrounded by family, friends, and former BYU alumni, proudly pulled out a navy blue Cougars cap and declared, “This is home. This is destiny.”
Takitaki, a 6’3”, 230-pound wrecking ball out of Corona Centennial High School in California, is the younger cousin of former BYU and current NFL linebacker Sione Takitaki. Ranked as the No. 4 linebacker in the nation and a top-50 overall prospect in the 2025 class, PJ was widely expected to lean toward the SEC or Pac-12—especially after high-profile visits to Tennessee and Oregon—but his decision to commit to BYU marks one of the most significant recruiting victories for the Cougars in the Kalani Sitake era.
“I prayed about it. I talked to my family. I visited a lot of amazing schools, but BYU isn’t just a football team—it’s a brotherhood,” Takitaki said during his announcement. “Coach Sitake didn’t promise me playing time. He promised me growth—as a player, as a man, and as a leader. That’s what I want.”
Sources close to the program say BYU’s pitch centered not just on football, but on legacy, spiritual alignment, and a defensive scheme designed to maximize Takitaki’s hybrid edge-rush capabilities. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill reportedly made Takitaki a focal point of his 2026 defensive plan, envisioning him as a cornerstone in a revamped 3–4 defense built around speed, pressure, and positional versatility.
Kalani Sitake, who has been under pressure to elevate the Cougars’ recruiting footprint as they adjust to life in the Big 12, called Takitaki’s commitment “transformational.”
“PJ is more than an elite athlete—he’s a culture-changer,” Sitake said in a statement. “He plays with fire, humility, and heart. He represents everything BYU football is striving to become.”
The impact of the commitment reverberated quickly across college football media. Recruiting analysts had pegged Oregon and Tennessee as co-favorites for months, with both schools offering multi-million dollar NIL packages reportedly worth up to $1.8 million over three years. However, Takitaki’s camp emphasized that his decision wasn’t about dollars—it was about direction.
“BYU just felt right,” said his father, Moana Takitaki. “Our family has deep roots here. Faith, values, and discipline matter. He wanted to be part of something eternal, not just seasonal.”
Takitaki will graduate early and enroll at BYU this December, with plans to participate in spring ball. He’s expected to compete for immediate playing time, with coaches privately comparing his leadership and athleticism to former Cougar great Kyle Van Noy.
In an era dominated by NIL deals and flashy recruiting videos, PJ Takitaki’s decision sends a different message—one grounded in loyalty, faith, and the long view of success. For BYU, it’s not just a win on paper; it’s a statement that Provo can still be a destination for elite talent seeking more than just the spotlight.
And for the rest of college football, it’s a loud and clear signal: BYU is building—and PJ Takitaki just became its newest cornerstone.
