Taki Taimani discusses Noah Sewell's influence on his transfer to Oregon
One of Oregon’s biggest incoming transfers is on the defensive line. Sam “Taki” Taimani joined Oregon from Washington, and says Noah Sewell was a huge factor in getting him to Eugene.
“Once I got to the portal, Noah just DM’d me like, ‘Hey, whatchu gonna do?’, you know? And we chopped it up, traded numbers, and then I just ended up here!
“I was just like, ‘Man, there’s a lot of guys there. I’d love to come play with Noah, Mase, Popo, Sua’ava, all these guys.”
Taimani is close with the Sewell family, having visited camps alongside Penei and familiarizing himself with the entire Sewell clan.
“Me, Penei, Cameron Latu, we were all kind of close,” he said.
“I’ve known Noah really well…It’s a no-brainer. Noah’s probably one of the best linebackers in the country so it was like, ‘Why not be right in front of him and let him eat?'”
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“It was a good change to me,” Taimani said. “I feel like I will benefit from this in the long run.” He specifically pointed out coach Lanning, Tosh Lupoi, Tony Tuioti, and strength coach Wilson Love as major influences on his decision.
“I loved it here, and I was like, ‘Now I gotta get to work.'”
When asked about his role in the rotation, Taimani emphasized the younger guys stepping up.
“Those older guys being out, it gives us a chance to show what we can do,” Taimani said. He pointed out “Suave” (Sua’ava Poti) and “Nu-Nu” (Keanu Williams) as key d-line performers so far this Spring.
He also tipped his hand as to how he’ll be playing in a Ducks uniform.
“Coming from playing a lot of 4i to coming here and playing nose, which is what I wanted to do, it’s kinda nice just to be able to come and play one spot.”
