St. Louis Battlehawks EDGE Pita Taumoepenu Named UFL Defensive Player of the Year

Another year, another Battlehawk wins a major award. Today, the UFL announced that St. Louis Battlehawks EDGE Pita Taumoepenu was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Taumoepenu led the league in sacks with 7.5 and tied San Antonio’s Jordan Moseley for the league lead in forced fumbles with three. He also contributed 26 total tackles and five tackles for loss.

Taumoepenu was also one of seven Battlehawks named to the 2025 All-UFL team. In 2023, Taumoepenu was the XFL’s DPOY while playing with the Vegas Vipers while also earning All-XFL honors. Taumoepenu's season ended alongside his Battlehawks brethren last Sunday, when the team lost to the rival DC Defenders in the XFL Conference Championship game. 

Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht congratulated his star edge rusher via his X account:

For the UFL awards, players are selected by a panel of league and team executives, coaches, and players, as well as broadcast partners and media members.