Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea, commonly known as Vita Vea, was born on February 5, 1995. He is an American professional football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. Vea played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Vita Vea Biography 2024
He played a key role in the Buccaneers’ victory in Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs and earned a Pro Bowl selection the following year. During his college career, Vea was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and also won the prestigious Morris Trophy. He announced his decision to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft on January 2, 2018.
Vita Vea Biography Details
| Born: | February 5, 1995 (age 29)
Stanford, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
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| Weight: | 347 lb (157 kg) |
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Vita Vea Early Life
Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea, better known as Vita Vea, is a professional American football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 5, 1995, in Milpitas, California, Vea stands at 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) and weighs 157 kilograms (346 pounds). He played college football for the University of Washington before entering the NFL. Vea was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, where he quickly established himself as a dominant force on the defensive line. Since joining the Buccaneers, he has been a key player for the team, contributing to their Super Bowl LV victory and earning a Pro Bowl selection.
More about Vita Vea’s Career
Vea’s career in the NFL has been marked by steady improvement, both in terms of on-field performance and the impact he has on games. Over his first six seasons, he has accumulated impressive statistics, including 26.5 sacks, 200 total tackles, and 40 quarterback hits. His ability to control the line of scrimmage with his strength and agility has made him a crucial player for the Buccaneers, and his leadership on defense has been a significant factor in their defensive schemes. As Vea continues to progress into his prime years, the expectations for him to become even more of a game-changer remain high.
His career achievements, such as his Pro Bowl appearance and Super Bowl win, highlight his status among the league’s elite defensive tackles. With an increasing number of tackles for loss (TFLs) and quarterback pressures, Vea remains a central figure in the Buccaneers’ defensive unit. Off the field, Vea’s leadership and work ethic have earned him respect from his teammates and coaches alike, making him a fan favorite and a key figure in the team’s long-term plans.
Vita Vea Stats Overview
Stat Category | Details |
Position | Defensive Tackle (DT) |
Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
Weight | 347 lbs (157 kg) |
NFL Draft | 1st Round, 12th overall (2018) |
Current Team | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Super Bowl Wins | 1 (Super Bowl LV) |
Pro Bowls | 1 (2021) |
Uniform Number | 50 |
College | University of Washington |
Vita Vea Career Defensive Stats
Season | Games Played | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Pass Deflections |
2018 | 13 | 28 | 3.0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | 16 | 35 | 2.5 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | 5 | 10 | 2.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | 16 | 33 | 4.0 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | 14 | 31 | 6.5 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2023 | 15 | 43 | 5.5 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2024 | 7 | 20 | 3.0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vita Vea Career Awards and Honors
Year | Award | Details |
2021 | Pro Bowl | 1st selection to Pro Bowl |
2021 | Super Bowl Champion | Won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
2022 | NFC Defensive Player of the Week | Week 10 against Washington Commanders |
Vita Vea Career Snap Counts and Playtime Distribution
Season | Total Games Played | Defensive Plays | Snap Percentage | Special Teams Plays | Snap Percentage (Special Teams) |
2018 | 13 | 493 | 59% | 63 | 17% |
2019 | 16 | 749 | 66% | 109 | 22% |
2020 | 5 | 223 | 70% | 49 | 33% |
2021 | 16 | 607 | 56% | 95 | 21% |
2022 | 14 | 539 | 59% | 53 | 14% |
2023 | 15 | 607 | 62% | 11 | 3% |
2024 | 7 | 292 | 61% | 38 | 19% |
Vita Vea’s Combine Performance
Measurement | Value |
Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
Weight | 347 lbs (157 kg) |
40-Yard Dash | 5.10 seconds |
Bench Press | 41 reps |
Broad Jump | N/A |
Vertical Jump | N/A |
Shuttle Time | N/A |
3-Cone Drill | N/A |
Vita Vea’s Career Defensive Statistics Breakdown
Season | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | Pass Deflections |
2018 | 28 | 3.0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2019 | 35 | 2.5 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
2020 | 10 | 2.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2021 | 33 | 4.0 | 5 | 12 | 0 |
2022 | 31 | 6.5 | 7 | 13 | 0 |
2023 | 43 | | | | |
Vita Vea Net Worth
Vita Vea signed a four year contract extension worth $71 million.
Vita Vea Summary
Vita Vea, a 6-4, 347lb defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is known for his powerful presence on the field. He was drafted 12th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and has since established himself as a key player, earning a Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl championship in 2020. Over his seven-season career, he has recorded 26.5 sacks and 124 solo tackles. Vea is primarily used as a run stopper and plays a vital role in Tampa Bay’s defensive line rotation. With a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2022, his strength and consistency remain major assets for the Buccaneers’ defense.
