Devon Tauaefa arrived at the University of Hawaiʻi four years ago as a scholarship tight end with a problem. The Rainbow Warriors were shifting to head coach Timmy Chang’s run-and-shoot offense, and tight ends traditionally are not a staple of that scheme. For the former Saint Louis School receiver, the adjustment would require reinvention. Today, Devon Tauaefa is entering his fifth season as a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end who has carved out a role in Hawaiʻi’s attack.
Chang, a record-setting UH quarterback who later coached tight ends at Nevada, believed a tight end could strengthen pass protection and create mismatches against linebackers and nickelbacks. With long arms and a large catch radius, Tauaefa fit the profile and set out to match the vision.
When he joined the program, Tauaefa weighed 185 pounds. He added bulk over time in the weight room and at the training table, sticking to what he called a Lotta Plan, heavy on eggs, protein shakes and white rice. He kept conditioning high to build muscle without sacrificing mobility.
Lower-body power came from squat work and pushing weighted blocking sleds. To improve his strike as an in-line blocker, he punched heavy bags with teammates, a habit that traced back to childhood boxing. He even worked his two-handed punch on trees and pillars walking between classes, joking that the routine might have looked odd but the results were worth it.
At the same time, Tauaefa focused on staying a reliable target. After practices, he caught passes from teammates and the JUGS machine, reminding himself to keep “soft hands” in the open field while maintaining “hard hands” in the box.
His expressionless pre-snap look keeps defenders unsure whether he will stay in to block or slip out, and he often blends both by chipping a rusher before curling into open space, a football version of the pick-and-roll.
Devon Tauaefa balances football, school and community
Raised in Kalihi and Kapolei, Tauaefa said his family always expected he would be a ballplayer. He is on track to complete a degree in interdisciplinary studies and sports management at the end of this semester.
Off the field, his family grew on May 4 when his girlfriend, Lahaina, gave birth to their son. Community service has remained a constant.
Tauaefa volunteers with youth programs and outreach efforts across the island, including food drives and free beach days with games and meals. He said his own upbringing and support system motivate him to help those facing homelessness or addiction, and he aims to serve communities islandwide, one step at a time.
As Hawaiʻi looks to expand what its run-and-shoot can do, Tauaefa’s evolution from high school receiver to versatile tight end offers the Rainbow Warriors a unique piece. The work, he said, is ongoing, and the payoff shows up in every block and catch.
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