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BYU defensive end and outside linebacker Sae Tautu has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints.
#Saints are signing BYU LB Sae Tautu as an undrafted college free agent, per source. He joins a team with six other Polys.
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) April 29, 2017
Tautu recorded 100 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 30 games at BYU.
Tautu is an explosive edge rusher with the ability to cause disruption in his opponents’ backfields. He is a very aggressive player, which got the best of him on a couple occasions, picking up a few suspensions from targeting penalties. Tautu might be the most underrated NFL prospect out of BYU this year, especially given the value that NFL team’s put on quality edge rushers these day.
Tautu wasn’t always utilized as well as he could have been at BYU, but he produced when he had his chances and also had an impressive Pro Day. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, Tautu will likely fit better as an edge rushing outside linebacker in the NFL than he would at defensive end.
Here’s Tautu’s Pro Day numbers:
- 40-yard dash - 4.55 seconds
- 225 bench - 19 reps
- Vertical jump - 38.5 inches
- Broad jump - 10-foot-6
- 20-yard shuttle - 4.41 seconds
- 60-yard shuttle - 11.60 seconds
- 3-cone drill - 6.92 seconds
If given the right opportunity, Tautu has the talent to go into training camp and prove he can contribute or work his way onto the 55-man roster from a practice squad.