After announcing mostly local defensive players, the Helvetic Guards make their first move for an American defender. Pass Rusher J.R. Tavai will join the Swiss franchise and adds experience to an already solid defense.

The 29-year-old can play at outside linebacker but also at defensive end which only shows his versatility on the defensive side. At 187cm and 116kg, Tavai wreaked havoc in opposing backfields at USC from 2011 to 2014.

NFL and CFL experience

After he graduated from USC, Tavai went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft but later signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. Despite being cut as part of the final roster cuts, Tavai worked himself up the practice squad onto the active roster and even recorded three tackles, one sack and one forced fumble for the Titans.

At the end of 2016, Tavai was released by the Titans and signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League two years later. In his two years with the team, Tavai played in 22 games and produced 57 total tackles, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles.

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His younger brother Jahlani Tavai currently plays for the New England Patriots in the NFL after being selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

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