NFL CAREER – The Saints addressed an immediate need when they drafted Taliese Fuaga in the first round (14th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Oregon State. Possessing the strength, footwork and ability to play multiple offensive line positions, Fuaga started all 17 games at left tackle for New Orleans in his rookie season, becoming the first Saints rookie to start every game at LT since J.T. Taylor in 1978. Fuaga will look to continue his development with his first full offseason and anchor the Saints up front under new Head Coach Kellen Moore and Offensive Line Coach Brendan Nugent.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a four-year contract, 5/9/24; Selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2024: ESPN All-Rookie.
2024 – Started all 17 games at left tackle…Vs. Carolina, Sept. 8, became first Saints rookie to start a season opener at the position since Ryan Ramczyk did so in the 2017 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings…At Dallas, Sept. 15, helped lead the effort by the line to produce 190 rushing yards and four TDs…At Carolina, Nov. 3, blocked in an effort where RB Alvin Kamara tied a career-high with 155 rushing yards…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 10, departed in first quarter (thigh), but returned in the second quarter for 20-17 win where Kamara became the franchise's all-time rushing leader…Vs. Cleveland, Nov. 17, helped the Saints rushing attack to gain a season-high 214 yards.
COLLEGE – Played four seasons at Oregon State where he made 25 starts at right tackle in 39 games…First-team All-American started all 12 games in 2023 and played 700 snaps at right tackle, as part of an offensive line that helped OSU average 4.9 yards per carry and 167.1 rushing yards per game. Earned an 88.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, and a 90.9 mark in run blocking. PFF graded him at 80.0 in pass blocking…Helped OSU rush for 277 yards on 40 carries (6.9 avg.) with six touchdowns, as the OSU offensive line surrendered only one sack in 62-17 win vs. Stanford…Represented the National team at the Reese's Senior Bowl…PFF honorable mention All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 (second-team by Associated Press and conference coaches) in 2022, when he started all 13 games, as part of an offensive line that helped pave the way for the Beavers to average 396 yards per game overall and 196.5 yards per game on the ground, which was among the league's leaders, graded out at 80.8 by Pro Football Focus, including a 79.6 mark in run blocking…Blocked for an offense that gained 268 yards on 43 carries (6.2 avg.) with five touchdowns and surrendered only one sack to power a 38-34 come-from-behind win vs. Oregon…Played in ten games along line in 2021…Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll…Saw action in four games along the line for OSU in COVID-19 pandemic shortened 2020 season…Majored in sociology.
PERSONAL – Played at Mount Tahoma (Tacoma, Wash.) HS…Rated three stars by 247Sports and Rivals…Played in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl…Played on defensive line, where he tallied 40 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss and five sacks, in addition to seeing offensive line action…First-team All-League on offensive line and received second-team recognition on defensive line as senior and an All-Area nomination…Second-team All-League as a junior…Full name pronounced Tah-lee-ESS-ay Foo-AH-gah…In December, joined teammates Cameron Jordan and Trevor Penning for a Super STEM Bowl at the Willow Middle School, encouraging students to make connections between STEM and sports medicine…In April, Fuaga, tackle Josiah Ezirim and center/guard Erik McCoy teamed up with prominent New Orleans chefs and NOCCA students for a cooking competition featuring Dairy Max products and meals…Visited with team partners at the 2025 Saints Partner Party presented by COX…Born April 5, 2002 in Renton, Wash.
