NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints selected All-American offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (pronounced Tal-ee-s-ay Foo-aga) with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pound Oregon State captain recorded a 5.13 40-yard dash and a 32-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine in March.
Fuaga started all 12 games on a Beavers offensive line that averaged nearly 5 yards per carry and 170 per game in 2023.
In doing so, Fuaga earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele.
The native of Tacoma, Wash., was also named second-team All-American by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, The Athletic and USA Today.
The sociology major was named First-Team All-Pac-12 by league coaches, AP and Phil Steele.
Fuaga attended Mount Tacoma High School where he played on both the offensive and defensive line, and participated in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen spoke with Fuaga over the phone prior to the pick.
"We're on the clock here... and we're about to draft you," Allen told Fuaga, who was in Hawaii during the draft. "I can't wait to get you here. You are a tough S.O.B. and that's what I love about you... and that's the way we're gonna play."
During the post-draft media conference, Allen further referred to Fuaga as a "culture builder-type personality" whom he described as a "pretty polished player" who is big, athletic and extremely physical.
Other fun facts about Fuaga:
- Scouting report says can play inside and outside line
- Outstanding pass protection technique
- Considered best run-blocking lineman in 2024 NFL Draft
- Started all 12 games as a junior in college (2023)
- Started all 13 games as sophomore (2022)
- Earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 from league coaches and AP
- Played in 10 games in reserve as a redshirt freshman (2021)
- Named to Pac-12 honor roll (2021)
- Appeared in all four games during the COVID-19-shortened season as freshman (2020)
- Sociology major at Oregon State
- One of five children, including three brothers and one sister
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