University of Minnesota Athletics
2025 Football Roster
Tafai, Kahlee
Jersey Number 71
Kahlee Tafai
- Position:
- OL
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-5 / 340
- Hometown:
- Inglewood , Calif.
- High School:
- Leuzinger
- Prev School:
- Washington
- Years in College / At Minnesota:
- 3 / 1
- Remaining Eligibility Entering 2025 Season:
- 3 years
- Class:
- Redshirt Sophomore
Bio
HONORS:
Academic All-Big Ten (2024)
OVERVIEW: Enrolled at Minnesota in January 2025 with three seasons of playing eligibility remaining • spent two seasons at Washington (2023-24).
2025: Made his Minnesota debut against Northwestern State and blocked for an offense that recorded 484 yards of total offense (258 rushing, 226 passing).
PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Spent two seasons at Washington (2023-24) where he played in eight games • in 2024, started four of the eight games he saw action in • made his first career start at left tackle against USC and also started against Penn State, UCLA and Oregon • in 2023, redshirted and did not see any game action.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California • wore No. 71 for the Olympians and played offensive and defensive line for coach Brandon Manumaleuna • as a senior, helped lead the team to the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 playoff semifinals • missed some action as a senior due to injury • as a junior, helped lead the team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs • Rivals ranked him as the No. 52 recruit in California and as the No. 64 offensive tackle in the nation.
PERSONAL: Son of Aneesa Getaneh • has five sisters (Ameera, Abby, Yohanna, Alleluia and Diana) and two brothers (Trey and RJ).
Academic All-Big Ten (2024)
OVERVIEW: Enrolled at Minnesota in January 2025 with three seasons of playing eligibility remaining • spent two seasons at Washington (2023-24).
2025: Made his Minnesota debut against Northwestern State and blocked for an offense that recorded 484 yards of total offense (258 rushing, 226 passing).
PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Spent two seasons at Washington (2023-24) where he played in eight games • in 2024, started four of the eight games he saw action in • made his first career start at left tackle against USC and also started against Penn State, UCLA and Oregon • in 2023, redshirted and did not see any game action.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California • wore No. 71 for the Olympians and played offensive and defensive line for coach Brandon Manumaleuna • as a senior, helped lead the team to the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 playoff semifinals • missed some action as a senior due to injury • as a junior, helped lead the team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs • Rivals ranked him as the No. 52 recruit in California and as the No. 64 offensive tackle in the nation.
PERSONAL: Son of Aneesa Getaneh • has five sisters (Ameera, Abby, Yohanna, Alleluia and Diana) and two brothers (Trey and RJ).
Coach Fleck Previews Rutgers
Monday, September 22
Game Trailer: Gophers-Bears
Friday, September 12
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Rout Demons
Tuesday, September 09
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Win 66-0
Monday, September 08
