LOGAN, Utah – DJ Tialavea is returning to his alma mater as Utah State's tight ends coach, it was announced Monday by Aggie head football coach
Blake Anderson.
Tialavea (pronounced Tee-al-uh-vah-uh) will be entering his second season with Utah State as he spent the 2020 campaign as an offensive graduate assistant coaching the tight ends.
As a player, Tialavea was a four-year letterwinner (2010-13) and three-year captain for Utah State along the defensive line and at tight end, helping the Aggies to three straight bowl games and the 2012 Western Athletic Conference title.
While at Utah State, Tialavea appeared in 40 games with 17 starts and caught 30 passes for 198 yards and five touchdowns. He also earned academic all-Mountain West honors following his senior season.
Following his collegiate career, Tialavea spent four years (2014-17) in the NFL. Originally signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent, he also spent time with Buffalo in 2014 before joining Atlanta's practice squad in 2015. He spent two seasons with the Falcons before the Chicago Bears signed him to their practice squad in 2017. On Dec. 24, 2016, Tialavea made his official NFL debut in the Falcons' 33-16 win at Carolina, a game in which he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass.
Tialavea graduated from Utah State with a sports management degree in 2013. He later earned his master's degree in education from USU in 2019. In 2014, he was awarded the Utah State Courage Award.
DJ TIALAVEA File
Coaching History
2021- Utah State – Tight Ends
2020 Utah State – Graduate Assistant
Playing Experience
2017 Chicago Bears – Tight End
2015-16 Atlanta Falcons – Tight End
2014 Buffalo Bills – Tight End
2013 Jacksonville Jaguars – Tight End
2010-13 Utah State – Tight End / Defensive Line
Education
2019 Utah State – Education (M.S.)
2013 Utah State – Sports Management (B.S)
