One of 12 true freshman to see playing time, Ta'amu made a season high six tackles versus UCLA.

He was a key factor in getting the Huskies back to a bowl game, with a season high seven tackles at Oregon and matched that total versus UCLA.

[6] Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com, however, described Ta'amu as "a pass rushing three-technique stuck in a zero-technique's body," who "struggles to hold his ground at the point of attack".

Ta'amu pleaded guilty to negligent driving, for which he was sentenced to one day in a community-work program and ordered to pay a $350 fine.

[16] On October 14, 2012, Ta'amu was arrested after he allegedly evaded police while driving intoxicated and struck several parked cars, injuring one person in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood.

[17] During the chase, before he was apprehended, Ta'amu allegedly shed his shirt in an attempt to evade arrest, claiming he was not the driver of the erratic SUV.

[9] On April 4, 2013, Ta'amu pleaded guilty to three counts of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and driving under the influence.

The trial judge found him not guilty of fleeing and eluding arrest because the officer chasing him along East Carson Street was in an unmarked car.

Ta'amu was sentenced to serve 18 months probation, four days in a DUI housing program and 150 hours of community service.