Football | 7/29/2021 11:48:00 AM
Name: Tai Lavatai
Year: Sophomore
Position: QB
Height: 6'1
Weight: 215
Hometown: Saint Johns, Fla.
High School: Creekside
Major: Math with Economics
What do you want to do after graduation and why? Possibly Marine Corps because of the values that they have and the branch that most likely resembles being on a football team.
Why did you choose Navy? The opportunities that are presented after I am done playing football.
What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football? Be adaptable and always come ready to work.
If you could play another position, what position would you play and why? LB because I used to play that position and I like the physicality that comes with it.
If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule who would you choose and why? I would want to play Florida State because it is close to home and I feel like it would be a pretty cool experience.
Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why? Math because it's like a constant puzzle you have to solve.
Hardest class at the Naval Academy and why? Chemistry because it takes a lot of practice for me to understand the material.
Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy and why? Captain Graves because he teaches in a way that I can comprehend easily and he relates to us.
Favorite form of social media and why? Probably Twitter because of the funny tweets that people usually post.
Favorite person to follow on social media and why? My mom because she always surprises me with old pictures of my childhood.
Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why? Basketball because of all my friends that play.
If you didn't play football at Navy, what sport would you play and why? I would play baseball because it is a sport that I have played all my life and I think would be fun in college.
If you had to be quarantined with four people associated with Navy Football, who would you choose and why? Aka Kapono, Malcolm Terry,
Jayden Umbarger and
Jackson Boyer. I think that it would be a really funny room with Jayden as the person that would make sure we are all doing our schoolwork on time.
What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field? Hell & Back- Kid Ink
What is your dream vacation? Bora Bora
How many teams should make the FBS Playoffs? 12
What is the best thing about being in the American Athletic Conference? The amount of competition that is within the conference.
Favorite Coach Niumatalolo quote: "It's frikin hard to win"
One word to describe a Navy Football player: Resilient
Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2021 and why? Daniel Jones, he is extremely talented and will open up a lot of eyes.
Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2021 and why? Will Harbour, he is a hard worker and will fly around the field when he is in.
Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team and why? Kevin Brennan, he always comes to practice ready to work and always sets a good example for all of the younger guys.
What player epitomizes Navy Football and why? Mychal Cooper, he is always trying to make personal connections with everyone and always speaks up when he notices something isn't how it should be.
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2021 and why? Chance Warren, he is a leader on the offense and is going to make a lot of plays throughout the season.
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2021 and why? Donald Berniard, he had a big year last year and is only going to get better over time.
What was the biggest lesson you learned during COVID-19? If you can't motivate yourself to go out and do something, you will fall below the curve big time.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021 now that things are back to "normal"? Being around the team a lot more and building those bonds we weren't able to make over the last year.
