Sione Takitaki Bio
Sione Takitaki (born June 8, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Takitaki has built a reputation as a reliable defensive contributor through his work on special teams, in run support, and in pass coverage.
Early Life and Background
Sione Takitaki was born on June 8, 1995, in Fontana, California. He is of Tongan descent and grew up in a large family, the youngest of seven children with four sisters and two brothers. His parents are Vaimaua, his father, and Fissipeau, his mother. Takitaki’s father died when he was fourteen, an event that shaped much of his early character and motivation.
Takitaki was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his faith played a major role in his personal decisions, including his choice of college. He attended Heritage High School in the Fontana area, where he developed the foundation that would eventually lead him to collegiate football. The combination of family support, religious grounding, and a deep interest in the sport set the stage for his transition to the next level.
Path to American Football
Takitaki’s path to professional football began at Heritage High School, where his performances drew the attention of college recruiters. He committed to BYU, an institution aligned with his religious values, and joined the BYU Cougars football program in 2014. Playing for the Cougars gave him the chance to compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level while developing his skills against high-caliber opposition in college football.
Over four seasons at BYU, Takitaki totaled 237 tackles, 32.5 tackles for a loss, and 14.5 sacks. As a senior, he served as a team captain and led the Cougars with 118 tackles, a performance that established him as one of the most productive linebackers in the program. His combination of production, leadership, and consistency made him a clear prospect for the NFL Draft heading into the 2019 offseason.
Sione Takitaki Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Cleveland Browns selected Takitaki in the third round with the 80th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game while contributing on defense and special teams. Takitaki appeared in a limited role during his first year as he worked to earn a larger place in the Browns’ defensive rotation.
His second season showed a noticeable step forward. In Week 11 of the 2020 campaign against the Philadelphia Eagles, Takitaki intercepted a pass from Carson Wentz and returned it fifty yards for a touchdown during a 22-17 win, his first career interception and score. Later that season, in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, he recorded his first career sack on Lamar Jackson. He finished the year with a memorable postseason moment, intercepting Ben Roethlisberger late in the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card game to seal a 48-37 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Takitaki’s role with the Browns expanded steadily as he gained experience within the linebacker group. By the 2022 season, he entered the year as a starting linebacker alongside Anthony Walker Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a sign of how far he had developed since his draft year. His versatility in both run defense and coverage made him a valuable piece of the Browns’ defensive schemes.
Unfortunately, his 2022 season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve on December 7, 2022. Takitaki returned to the Browns in 2023 and continued to contribute, eventually signing a one-year contract extension with the team on March 16, 2023, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his abilities.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Takitaki signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list to start the season and was later activated on October 12. After one season in New England, the Patriots released him on February 19, 2025.
Takitaki signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on September 11, 2025, joining a defensive group known for its aggressive style. His move to Minnesota reflects his continued pursuit of an active roster role and the chance to contribute to a competitive defensive unit. As he works to return to game action with the Vikings, Takitaki brings a blend of experience, leadership, and special teams value to his new organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Takitaki is recognized for his physicality at the point of attack, his willingness to take on blockers, and his reliability in tackle situations. He has shown the instincts to read quarterbacks in zone coverage, producing multiple career interceptions, including clutch picks in prime-time and postseason settings. His special teams background also gives him a high motor and the conditioning to handle a large volume of snaps.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Takitaki’s career are his first career interception and touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, his first career sack on Lamar Jackson later that season, and his game-clinching interception of Ben Roethlisberger in the 2020 AFC Wild Card round. His selection in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft also stands as a major career milestone.
Sione Takitaki Career Wins
Sione Takitaki’s career has been defined less by win totals in head-to-head terms and more by the consistency of his contributions on defense and special teams across multiple teams. His most celebrated performances, including a pick-six against the Philadelphia Eagles and a late fourth-quarter interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, have helped shape the outcomes of important games throughout his career.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
During his time with the Cleveland Browns from 2019 to 2023, Takitaki established himself as a dependable linebacker who could play in base defense, sub-packages, and on special teams. His role grew from a rotational player in his first two seasons to a starting linebacker in 2022. Key highlights include his first career interception against the Philadelphia Eagles, his first career sack of Lamar Jackson, and his late-game interception of Ben Roethlisberger in the 2020 AFC Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his work in Cleveland, Takitaki has brought experience and leadership to his subsequent stops. After signing with the New England Patriots in 2024, he worked his way back from a preseason injury and rejoined the active roster midseason. His 2025 move to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad offers a fresh opportunity to compete for a defensive role and add to his list of team-based accomplishments.
Sione Takitaki Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Takitaki comes from a tight-knit Tongan-American family and is the youngest of seven children, with four sisters and two brothers. The family has long been central to his personal story, and the passing of his father when Takitaki was fourteen remains a defining chapter in his life. His mother, Fissipeau, and his siblings have provided continued support throughout his athletic journey.
Personal Life
Sione Takitaki married Alyssa Penney on June 14, 2016, in Sacramento, California. The couple welcomed a son, Zion, in 2024. Takitaki has been open about how his faith and family guide his career decisions, including his choice to attend BYU. His family life has remained a steady presence as he has transitioned between the Cleveland Browns, the New England Patriots, and the Minnesota Vikings.
2025 Season Performance
Takitaki’s 2025 season began without a team after his release from the New England Patriots in February 2025. He spent the early portion of the year waiting for the right opportunity, ultimately signing with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on September 11, 2025. Joining the Vikings placed him within a defensive system that values versatility and physicality, two of his strongest traits.
From the practice squad, Takitaki has continued to work toward an expanded role with Minnesota, contributing in practice settings and providing veteran depth. His experience in coverage, run defense, and on special teams gives the Vikings flexibility as they manage their linebacker rotation across the season. With his practice squad agreement in place, his focus remains on earning a promotion to the active roster.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the 2025 season offers Takitaki a chance to re-establish himself as an impact defender. A return to game action with the Vikings would mark another step in a career that has already taken him from Fontana to BYU, Cleveland, New England, and now Minnesota. His long-term outlook will depend on his performance in practice and any opportunities that arise on gameday.