Former BYU RB Sione Finau Addressed His Entry Into Transfer Portal
Mar 30, 2022, 6:32 PM
BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake hugs running back Sione Finau after practice in the Indoor Practice Facility at BYU in Provo on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – Before Tyler Allgeier became a star running back at BYU, Sione Finau was the ball carrier that led the Cougars in rushing in 2019. He was the starting running back in the 2019 win over undefeated, nationally-ranked Boise State with Baylor Romney at QB.
With the emergence of Allgeier as BYU’s RB1, plus injuries, Finau only appeared in seven games the past two seasons.
Finau switched to defensive back midway through last year, appearing in three games. Finau returned to the running back position heading into spring ball. After two weeks of spring practice earlier this month, Finau entered his name into the Transfer Portal.
The Kearns native addressed his entry into the NCAA Transfer Portal with a post on Instagram.
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“First off I want to address the rumor about me entering the transfer portal! It wasn’t because of my coaches, teammates, or administration,” Finau said in a written statement on Instagram.
“I want to thank BYU for everything they have done for me and all of the many relationships I’ve made there…
“Also, to my family I want to thank you for supporting me every step of the way!
“With that being said… the rumors are true and I’m in the transfer portal and ready for a new chapter!”
Finau signed with BYU football during Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016. Before Sitake arrived at BYU, Finau was committed to playing at Oregon State when Sitake was on Gary Andersen’s staff in Corvallis.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound ball carrier was part of the BYU football program for four years after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Jose, California. Finau will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
This year, BYU’s running back room is a busy one led by Cal grad transfer Christopher Brooks and sixth-year ball carrier Lopini Katoa. Then there’s Jackson McChesney, Miles Davis, Mason Fakahua, and Hinckley “Folau” Ropati.
Ten BYU football players have entered the Transfer Portal during the 2022 cycle. Three have left the Transfer Portal with landing spots, including defensive back Caleb Christensen, who returned to BYU before spring practices.
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.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
