A 6-2, 200 low four-star safety from Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, the school that launched the careers of legends Tom Brady and Barry Bonds, Malaki Taufoou announces his college football commitment Saturday on the Rivals YouTube channel at 12:30 PT.
Taufou is an intriguing prospect, an all-around athlete with good size who plays safety, receiver and quarterback for the Padres. He's deciding between Oregon, Washington, Penn State, California, and BYU. Although he has a May 29 official visit to the Ducks scheduled, this one is likely to go to Tosh Lupoi and the Bears, a 90% chance in the On3 Prediction Machine.
It's the first head-to-head recruiting battle between Lupoi and his old boss, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, unlikely to be the last. In Central Coast Section Division I championship against Los Gatos Taufoou scored two touchdowns and nabbed two interceptions, easily the best player on the field.
He moves well. He plays smart. Lupoi's program and depth chart is a great fit for him, a place where he can break in behind Oregon transfer Kingston Lopa, another tall safety at 6-5.
Serra High’s 4⭐️ safety Malakai Taufoou had coaches LOCKED IN at the showcase.
— teamfb (@teamfbseven) May 9, 2026
-
With nearly 40 colleges watching, he showed why his stock keeps rising 📈@Malakai_Taufoou @PadreFootball_ pic.twitter.com/VhEC1Jwqbh
Taufou visited the Ducks for Junior Day in April. In terms of development he's a notch below Jett Washington, Devin Jackson and Semaj Stanford, the safeties Oregon has recruited in the last two classes. Lupoi is likely to win this one, simply because athletes have to find their best fit and best opportunity.
He's a dynamic athlete who recorded 46 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 2 blocked field goals in 14 games. Taufou finished the season with 9 touchdowns, returning two of the picks for touchdowns, and he record 7 touchdowns rushing on 31 carries.
The opportunity to stay in the Bay Area and play for a defensive-minded head coach with NFL experience is a good choice for him. Taufoou has to potential to develop into a good college football player, maybe even a starter in the ACC. On Saturday it's likely that Lupoi gets a win over Lanning, despite the disparity in resources.
Add us as a preferred source on Google