Last updated: August 2026
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Born | July 25, 1999 |
| Profession | NFL Defensive Tackle (Detroit Lions) |
| Nationality | 🇺🇸 American |
Jay Tufele is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the NFL, with a net worth estimated at around $2 million. A 2021 draft pick, he has played for four different franchises across his career.
Early Life & Family
Jay Tufele was born on July 25, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah, before playing college football at the University of Southern California from 2017 to 2020, redshirting his first season.
Rise to Fame
At USC, Tufele developed into a two-time USC Defensive Lineman of the Year, recording 65 career tackles, 11 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the NFL Draft, and the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Career History
Tufele spent his rookie seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-2023) before moving on to the Cincinnati Bengals and later the New York Jets. In 2026, he joined the Detroit Lions, continuing his career as a rotational interior defensive lineman across his fourth NFL organization.
How They Built Their Wealth
Tufele’s earnings have come from a series of NFL contracts since being drafted in 2021, including a four-year rookie deal with the Jaguars worth just over $4.3 million and subsequent one-year deals with later teams, including a $1,215,000 contract with the Lions. His net worth reflects several seasons of steady, if not star-level, NFL contracts.
Personal Life
Tufele has kept most details of his personal life private, with public information focused on his college career at USC and his NFL journey across four teams.
Jay Tufele’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million, accumulated over a five-year NFL career as a defensive tackle for the Jaguars, Bengals, Jets and now the Detroit Lions.