Utah safety Vaki wants to follow in footsteps of 49ers’ Hufanga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
INDIANAPOLIS — There are a lot of connections between the 2024 NFL Draft class and the 49ers, but the one between Utah safety Sione Vaki and San Francisco star Talanoa Hufanga is a little less known.
The 2024 draft prospect spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine and shared how important Hufanga’s identification of his Tongan background is to young Polynesian college and NFL players. Hufanga’s big-play celebration includes placing his left fist in the middle of his right forearm, making a T, that stands for his Tongan heritage.
“Talanoa is throwing up all the T’s right now,” Vaki said. “Talanoa is putting up for all the Tongans right now. That’s what I’m about. I’m about my culture, being Tongan. He’s learned from the best of the best in Troy Polamalu. You can see it on the field.”
The 5-foot-11, 210 pound Vaki appeared in 26 games for the Utes, including 17 starts, racking up 92 tackles in his final two seasons — 71 solo, 12 for a loss, along with two quarterback sacks, six pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.
Maybe the most interesting part of Vaki’s game is his two-way playing ability. Through two seasons at Utah, he also played appeared on offense, recording 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns as well as 11 receptions for 203 yards and an additional three receiving scores.
The versatile prospect just hopes to represent Tonga as Hufanga has.
“Talanoa is doing a great job of carrying that torch,” Vaki said. “It means everything. No one knew about the Ts until Talanoa stepped on the field and really started throwing it up. Now you got [Los Angeles Chargers LB] Tui Tuipulotu throwing it up as well.
“Just making a name for our culture and for the kids younger than…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/utah-safety-vaki-wants-footsteps-013446182.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-03-05 01:34:46
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