Sione Vaki
Utah Utes – No. 28
PositionSafety
ClassSophomore
MajorSociology
Personal information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight208 lb (94 kg)
Career history
College
  • Utah (2022–present)
High schoolLiberty (Brentwood, California)
Career highlights and awards

Sione Vaki is an American football running back and safety for the Utah Utes.

Early life and high school

Vaki attended Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. In Vaki's high school career he played on both sides of the ball. On offense he rushed for 401 yards and seven touchdowns, while also bringing in 107 receptions for 2,203 yards and 32 touchdowns. On defense he notched 142 tackles with one being for a loss, five interceptions, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns, Vaki also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.[1] Vaki committed to play college football at the University of Utah.[2][3]

College career

In Vaki's true freshman season in 2022 he totalled 41 tackles with 3.5 going for a loss, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble.[4] In week one of the 2023 season, he recorded his first career interception versus the Florida Gators.[5] In week seven, Vaki had a breakout game where he played both ways of the ball as he rushed 15 times for 158 yards and two touchdown to help the Utes beat California.[6] In the following week, he rushed nine times for 68 yards, while also hauling in five receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while also notching two tackles and having the best coverage grade on the Utes, as helped them upset USC 34-32.[7] Heading forward throughout the rest of the season, the Utes planned to use Vaki more on offense.[8][9]

Personal life

Vaki lost his mother Oto’ota due to cancer.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Sione Vaki Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Liberty High School two-way football star Sione Vaki signs letter of intent to attend University of Utah". The Press.net. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ↑ Stark, Alex. "Utah Signs S Sione Vaki". Block U. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Bagley, Cole. "Utes on the rise: Safety Sione Vaki". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Holt, Chandler. "Sione Vaki Interception Leads To Bryson Barnes Rushing Touchdown". KSL Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  6. ↑ Borba, Kevin. "Utah Led To Victory By College Football's Next Two-Way Star Sione Vaki". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  7. ↑ Coles, Joe. "Before starring at Utah, Sione Vaki flashed two-way prowess on California high school fields". Deseret News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Borba, Kevin. "Utah's Sione Vaki On Track To Offensive Focus For Utes After Breakout Showings". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Walden, Eric. "Will Sione Vaki start playing more offense than defense? It's 'trending in that direction.'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Bodkin, Michelle. "Exclusive: Utah Football's Sione Vaki Talks Making His Late Mother Proud". KSL Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
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