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Siale Taupaki news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Penn State defensive tackle Siale Taupaki is playing an eighth college football season and using his.
His story centers on family sacrifice, a rare eight-year college career, and support that.
Background
Siale Taupaki, an East Oakland, California native, is a defensive tackle for Penn State football and one of the biggest and longest-tenured players on the Nittany Lions roster. He is playing an eighth year of college football, a decision he has said was driven by family. After Penn State's win against Marshall, he called his parents, and he has spoken publicly about using his name, image, and likeness earnings to pay for his family's internet so they can watch him play.
How it unfolded
- recentlySiale Taupaki played his first game in Penn State's blue and white.
- recentlyPenn State won against Marshall; Taupaki called his parents afterward.
- recentlyTaupaki spoke with media members at Beaver Stadium, discussing his journey and his family.
Who’s saying what
- Public
- Coverage describes Taupaki as one of the easiest Penn State players to root for and highlights his goal of serving something bigger than himself.
- Analysts
- Reports frame his eighth college season and NIL use as a unique case in college football, with family at the center of his decision.