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A sophomore out of Antioch, Calif., safety Sione Vaki has had a breakout season as a versatile player for the Utah Football team, showing off his skills as a starting safety, but also at running back in the last four games. UtahUtes.com met with Vaki after practice this week to chat about his time growing up, why he loves football, and what his passions are off the football gridiron.
Q: What got you started in football as a kid?
A: I would just say peewee football when I was growing up. It was just fun. It was a time I got to be with my friends. Back in the Bay Area, I played with the Wolfpack with all my boys out there, it was just a time I got to go outside and play and as a kid getting all that energy out.
Q: In your recruiting process, what made you decide to leave the Bay Area and come to the U?
A: So at the time I was preparing for my two year mission, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the gospel means a lot to me and it was pretty cool when the coaches came. When they came to recruit me they pushed the church as much as they talked about football. Obviously we still talked football but it was a big focus. It made me very comfortable with Utah.
Q: What impact have coaches like Coach Morgan Scalley and Kyle Whittingham had on your game?
A: I would say just fine tune all the small details like film, technique, leverage, understanding where my hip is in coverage, and just being mentally tough. Going out there and not showing any weakness no matter what it may be, just so your opponent doesn’t have any upper hand on you.
Q: How do you feel your game has grown from last year to this year?
A: I would say it has grown a lot, not only for myself, but for the trust in the coaches for me to be a starter now, and having the right teammates around me. Obviously, in the safety room we have Cole Bishop to look at as well, and last year we had R.J. Hubert. We got linebackers like Lander coming in last year as a freshman and he was already making an impact, and Karene Reid is also a great example. Junior Tafuna on the inside and Zemaiah Vaughn and them on the outside. The whole defense man, they just welcomed me with open arms.
Q: Speaking of defense, how much pride do you, and the whole team, take in the defensive play this season?
A: We don’t take much pride in the rankings of it, but we just take pride in living the culture of being relentless, smart, nasty ballhawks, which we preach every day in our team meetings. We take pride in just being one, a unit.
Q: You talked about going on a mission, how does, at least in your case, how do you stay doing what you can in your faith, while also staying in a football mindset?
A: Oh man, that’s a great question and I wish I was being a better example in the locker room and things like that. You know I still believe heavenly, in the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but I just try to be positive. When I am around I try to befriend everyone, try to be a good person. Just show those Christ-like attributes. I may not be the best, but I always try to be the best I can be.
Q: How does one that goes on a mission get back into that football shape after two or so years away from it?
A: Man it’s tough I am not gonna lie. Some people think that I just worked out all day but I swear I did my work. But coming back it is just a mental thing, you know, obviously I came back and wanted to do my own things, having that short turnover, going straight into winter ball, but I think it was great. Just getting back into that mindset of “this is what I signed up for” so I am gonna go through with it.
Q:What is it like playing in front of the MUSS and all of Utah fans in general?
A: It’s different, man.That feeling of having that 12th man on the field with you when we’re going out on defense, they truly make a difference and bring the juice for us. If we had a slow start, first quarter, second quarter, first half, to have the fans back us up and lift us up when we need it, and they never fail. Appreciate you guys.
Q: Who is one QB, NFL or college, whichever, you would love to pick off?
A: I would say the Niners, that’s my team. I would love to pick off Purdy, man. If that’s a dream that could come true, let’s do it. Even if I am on the same practice squad. Whatever it takes.
Q: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
A: Oh Bleu. Darrien Stewart, number 24. He’s a quiet guy, but you get him to talk, he could make you laugh for days.
Q: Outside of Rice-Eccles, what is one place you would love to play at, either NFL or college?
A: Yeah, I gotta go back to the Niners, man. Love them, been my team since day one.
Q: Mountains or beaches?
A: Beaches
Q: Disney or Nickelodeon?
A: Oh, Disney for sure.
Q: If you could have lunch with any celebrities, dead or alive, who would they be?
A: Oh, I would say the Rock… let’s throw Talanoa Hufanga.
Q: How often do you think of the Roman Empire?
A: Not often, until you said it, you know, just now.
Q: What is a secret talent that Sione Vaki has that people might not know about?
A: I can sing. You know, I got some vocals… outside of giving our magic calls on the field, they don’t get it, but I can sing it too.
Q: When you get home and are making lunch or dinner and you’re eating, do you watch YouTube or Netflix while you eat?
A: Netflix
Q: Favorite memory so far as a Utah Ute, whether on or off the field?
A: I would say winning the Pac-12 Championship with my boys. You know, just coming back from that 17-0 deficit. 17-to-17 at the half. I mean that was an environment to play in for sure.
2023-11-01 14:09:37
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