This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State Football’s 2026 roster.
Defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi appeared in 18 games across his first two seasons of college football at Utah, making five starts during that time and amassing 27 tackles (12 solo). Even playing as a reserve, the 6-foot-2, 326 pound lineman didn’t need much time to adjust to the pace of Division I, adding 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a true freshman.
Touted as a three-star recruit in high school, Vakalahi boasts natural talent in addition to that early production. New Penn State defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has a history of running a 3-4 defensive front, relying on one nose tackle to anchor the big guys up front. The Nittany Lions have senior transfers like Keanu Williams and Siale Taupaki likely to eat up most of those snaps, but Lynn will also probably want to rotate through his nose tackles to keep them fresh.
That could give Vakalahi some down-ballot snaps as he prepares for a larger role moving forward.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 326 pounds
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Hometown: West Valley, Utah
High School Career: A three-star recruit and one of the top players in Utah during his time in high school, Vakalahi amassed 28.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over 19 games between his junior and senior seasons.
Utah (2024-25): Vakalahi didn’t need a redshirt year in order to make his way on the field, appearing in 18 games and making five starts across his first two seasons in college. Even though he primarily served as a rotational player, that fast start speaks to his talent.
PENN STATE
Where he stands: Redshirt seniors like Williams and Taupaki know Lynn from their time at UCLA, so that will give them the inside track to the No. 1 and No. 2 spots with Penn State. Vakalahi has a chance to prove himself to his new coaching staff this season… and going off his first two years in college, he should make a compelling case for rotational snaps.
