Four-star S Malakai Taufoou fits well in Washington football's defense

As the Washington Huskies continue to search for impact defensive backs in the 2027 class, four-star safety Malakai Taufoou is a name who has been steady on position coach Taylor Mays' board.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound product of Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, is ranked as the No. 34 safety in the 2027 class and No. 30 player in the state by 247Sports and has become one of the most sought-after prospects on the West Coast.

In April, he narrowed his list of 22 offers down to a final five of BYU, California, Oregon, and Penn State alongside Washington, and seems to be moving closer to a decision. Taufoou has set three visits: Cal on June 5, Penn State on June 11, and UW on June 19.

After a strong junior season, where he tallied 50 tackles, 6 for loss, and 4 interceptions, Taufoou proved that he would be a good fit in defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme at the down safety position, where Alex McLaughlin earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2025.

On film, he shows off impressive instincts in both coverage and run defense, reading the quarterback's eyes to step into passing lanes and breaking downhill to clog run lanes. He plays with good physicality and shows the versatility to line up at safety, linebacker, and nickelback, all traits that McLaughlin displayed in 2025, and Washington's coaching staff is hoping to develop freshman Gavin Day into too.

As the Huskies continue to search for reinforcements in the secondary, Taufoou is one of four safeties who will take an official visit to Seattle over the summer, a list that also includes four-stars Gavin Williams, Isala Aisa Wily-Ava, and Jaden Walk-Green.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Huskies, four-star S Malakai Taufoou fit well together