Kaufusi Legacy At BYU Football Continues With Commitment Of Alta’s Maika Kaufusi
Mar 15, 2021, 10:38 PM
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) scoops up a North Alabama fumble during a game in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
(Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – Is there a family name more intertwined with the game of football in the state of Utah than Kaufusi? You’d be hard-pressed to find one that has made a greater impact on the gridiron, and BYU has benefitted greatly from the talents within the Kaufusi family.
The latest chapter of the Kaufusi pipeline to BYU comes in Alta High safety Maika Kaufusi.
COUGS ! 110% Committed @BYUfootball @kalanifsitake pic.twitter.com/uJzZbWSzlC
— Maika Kaufusi (@KaufusiMaika) March 16, 2021
A member of the 2022 recruiting class, Kaufusi has been a longtime recruit of BYU’s for the past couple of years. Kalani Sitake has jokingly said in the past when talking about the Kaufusi family that he plans to offer every Kaufusi family member a scholarship offer to BYU. He might be joking, but you can’t blame him with that line of thought. Look at how successful the Kaufusi family has been at BYU over the years.
Younger brother to BYU linebackers
Maika, the younger brother to BYU linebackers Isaiah and Jackson Kaufusi, committed to Sitake’s program.
After a great week at camp, I would like to thank @fsitake , @kalanifsitake and the rest of the BYU coaching staff for extending a scholarship offer to me! Dreams do come true. Go Cougs! pic.twitter.com/B2GhBBG7fA
— Maika Kaufusi (@KaufusiMaika) June 16, 2019
Maika announced his commitment on Twitter Monday night and wrote, “110% Committed.” He tagged BYU Football’s official Twitter account along with head coach Kalani Sitake.
Like the older brothers, Maika Kaufusi could play various positions when he arrives at BYU. Whether it’s safety, cornerback, wide receiver, or linebacker like his older brothers, Maika Kaufusi is viewed as an all-around athlete at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. He fits the type of recruit Kalani Sitake likes in prospects, who have the frame that could develop into various positions.
Older brother Jackson was a heralded “athlete” recruit out of Brighton High School and has shown that versatility during his BYU career, competing at both linebacker and running back over the years.
That’s a wrap for Jr Szn! Thank you class of 2021 💙 missed out this season due to a shoulder injury but glad I could come back and finish with you boys. Big things to come next year. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/U4Q6ToxNUE
— Maika Kaufusi (@KaufusiMaika) November 7, 2020
247Sports ranks Kaufusi as a three-star prospect and the 34th ranked player in Utah for the 2022 recruiting class. He received interest from California, Colorado, Utah State, and Yale but doesn’t report any additional offers besides BYU.
Kaufusi flashed in a big way on the prep scene his sophomore season recording 37 tackles. In 2020, Kaufusi’s junior season was limited to seven games due to a shoulder injury.
Maika Kaufusi is BYU’s 2nd commit in the class of 2022
With the addition of Kaufusi, BYU now has two commitments in the class of 2022. The other commitment is American Fork linebacker Noah Moeaki. Moeaki has been committed to the Cougars since the spring of 2019.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.
