BYU Football Lands Former Texas A&M Commit Victory Vaka
Apr 30, 2021, 7:12 PM
BYU Football players carry out flags onto the field at LaVell Edwards prior to game against Troy Trojans. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football has added another recruit to the class of 2021 by landing a commitment from defensive tackle Victory Vaka.
A three-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Vaka is a 6-foot-2, 350-pound prospect who was once committed to the Texas A&M Aggies a year ago. This past December, Vaka committed to the Colorado Buffaloes.
Stick To The Script Till The Scene Switch! #GoCougars #CTR pic.twitter.com/WDiwXdCeBe
— 🥷🏽📿 (@victoryvaka) April 30, 2021
After a brief commitment to the Buffs, Vaka opened up his recruitment again, and BYU, a program that offered him early in his recruitment, got into the picture once again. Cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford was the first BYU coach to begin recruiting Vaka on the recruiting trail. Southern California is one of Gilford’s primary recruiting areas.
According to Jeff Hansen from 247Sports, Vaka will join the BYU program as a preferred walk-on. Vaka was picking between BYU and Penn State. He ultimately commits to the Cougars.
In a text conversation on Friday night, Vaka told KSL Sports he intends to enroll at BYU in January of 2022.
Victory Vaka commits to BYU
A cousin to former BYU and NFL defensive lineman Tomai Laulile, Vaka prepped at Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California. Vaka graduated from high school this past January and due to California’s restrictions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Vaka did not have a senior season.
Vaka was a three-year starter during his high school career. As a freshman in 2017, Vaka record 41 tackles. In his three years at Westlake, Vaka piled up 126 tackles in 18 games played.
“This [commitment to BYU] means a whole lot because we’re members of the Church and we grew up watching them,” Vaka said in a text to KSL Sports.
As far as goals when he arrives at BYU next January, Vaka writes, “My goals on the field at BYU is to of course bring some hardware to the facilities and get developed by one of the best coaches in the country. Off the field, I want to grow more spiritually and learn to become a better man.”
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 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
