Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
NFL rosters are set ahead of next week’s start of the regular season, with 22 players either listing Hawaii as their home state or having played for the University of Hawaii as of Tuesday.
Among the former Rainbow Warriors is eighth-year veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who is beginning his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing in the Super Bowl last season with the New England Patriots.
For Tavai, continuing his NFL career is something he does not take for granted.
“Every day I get to put on cleats and put on a helmet, I’m truly grateful,” Tavai said. “I just want to make sure that I take full advantage of playing the game as long as I can and playing the game the right way.”
Tavai said he hopes his career can serve as an example for his daughter and young athletes back home in Hawaii.
“I want to be able to tell not just my daughter, but the kids back on the island, the kids back from my neighborhood, all this is possible as long as you just stick to being yourself,” he said. “If you play a sport, you better play it at 100% because you just never know when the last time you’ll ever get to suit up again.”
Tavai also has a new look and a familiar number in Jacksonville.
After wearing No. 32 during the preseason, Tavai switched back to No. 31 on Tuesday — the number he wore at Hawaii.
“I feel young again,” Tavai said. “I’m actually stepping back into No. 31, so I’m excited about that. I think it’s about time I get back to my roots.”
Tavai said the number carries special significance for him.
“Every time I feel like I got 31 on, I just feel like a different animal,” he said. “That’s the type of person that I’m trying to showcase in front of these coaches and the GM over here.”
Tavai also reached out to friends back in Hawaii to share the news.
“I hit up a lot of my boys back on island,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, 31 back in action.’ So, yeah, it was pretty exciting.”
Tavai and the Jaguars will open their regular season Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Another Hawaii-connected quarterback, Mililani graduate Dillon Gabriel, is currently listed on injured reserve.
A complete list of players with Hawaii ties on NFL rosters is available at KHON2.com/sports
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
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NFL rosters are set ahead of next week’s start of the regular season, with 22 players either listing Hawaii as their home state or having played for the University of Hawaii as of Tuesday.
Among the former Rainbow Warriors is eighth-year veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who is beginning his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing in the Super Bowl last season with the New England Patriots.
For Tavai, continuing his NFL career is something he does not take for granted.
“Every day I get to put on cleats and put on a helmet, I’m truly grateful,” Tavai said. “I just want to make sure that I take full advantage of playing the game as long as I can and playing the game the right way.”
Tavai said he hopes his career can serve as an example for his daughter and young athletes back home in Hawaii.
“I want to be able to tell not just my daughter, but the kids back on the island, the kids back from my neighborhood, all this is possible as long as you just stick to being yourself,” he said. “If you play a sport, you better play it at 100% because you just never know when the last time you’ll ever get to suit up again.”
Tavai also has a new look and a familiar number in Jacksonville.
After wearing No. 32 during the preseason, Tavai switched back to No. 31 on Tuesday — the number he wore at Hawaii.
“I feel young again,” Tavai said. “I’m actually stepping back into No. 31, so I’m excited about that. I think it’s about time I get back to my roots.”
Tavai said the number carries special significance for him.
“Every time I feel like I got 31 on, I just feel like a different animal,” he said. “That’s the type of person that I’m trying to showcase in front of these coaches and the GM over here.”
Tavai also reached out to friends back in Hawaii to share the news.
“I hit up a lot of my boys back on island,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, 31 back in action.’ So, yeah, it was pretty exciting.”
Tavai and the Jaguars will open their regular season Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Another Hawaii-connected quarterback, Mililani graduate Dillon Gabriel, is currently listed on injured reserve.
A complete list of players with Hawaii ties on NFL rosters is available at KHON2.com/sports
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
facebook.com/khon2news
twitter.com/KHONnews
instagram.com/khonnews
