Dallas Vakalahi Grateful For The Culture, Tradition In Utah Football’s Defensive Tackle Room
Apr 3, 2025, 6:07 PM | Updated: 6:12 pm
Utah football defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics.
SALT LAKE CITY—After a really promising freshman campaign, Utah football defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi is looking to build upon his first year.
The 6-foot-2, 313-pounder is focused on the tradition within the defensive tackle room and hopes to become one of the greats.
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Dallas Vakalahi is grateful for the culture at Utah football
Growing up down the road from Utah, Vakalahi has long been familiar with the program, especially the success the program has had along the defensive line.
However, being in the program this past season opened his eyes to how strong tradition and pride are in the defensive tackle room.
“It’s a great blessing and privilege to come here after all the greats before me,” Dallas Vakalahi said. “Especially being coached under Luther Elliss, as well as being able to look up to them for advice. It’s one of the things I want to live up to is becoming one of those greats of this program.”
Vakalahi credits the culture in the program and the defensive tackle room specifically for his early success. He also knows that it plays a significant role in developing the brotherhood in the program and pursuing their goals.
“It plays a ton (into my success), R.S.N.B. is all that we are,” Vakalahi shared. “I love the aspect of being tenacious and persistent. That’s what we do as a defense, it helps us perform, and helps us become brothers as a whole. We all want to win games, and we want to be able to hold up not only the Big 12 Championship but the national championship.”
Utah has so many new faces with the team this year, that it’s going to be a process to integrate them into the culture. Vakalahi knows that he and others who have been in the program must set the right example.
“I think it draws back to us who have been here before and continue to push it on through coach Scalley,” Vakalahi shared. “Knowing that it’s always the ‘next man up’ mentality, that’s really what I’m pushing to the younger guys. Anyone can play, it’s all up to you and the physicality that you play with.”
Vakalahi’s leadership seems to be exactly what this defensive tackle group needs. He truly believes in the culture established by Kyle Whittingham and Morgan Scalley and knows it leads to success on and off the field.
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Vakalahi believes in the guys around him in Utah’s defensive tackle room
“They’re doing amazing. We have a young D-tackle room, but all of them show really great potential,” Vakalahi said of the younger guys around him. “A lot of them are battling for the starting position, so it’s a great competition within the room.”
Utah has a number of capable bodies in the defensive tackle room. Guys are making plays, but the Vakalahi has been impressed the most by the true freshmen in the room.
“I think the one that’s doing the most amazing is probably Karson Kaufusi,” Vakalahi shared. “He’s playing really physical, he knows how to use his body, and he can become one of the greats. As well as Sione Motuapuaka, they’re both young guys but play with great physicality.”
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What does progress look like for Vakalahi?
Vakalahi made an impact in his first year with the program. He played in nine games and was much more than just a big body. He proved to be disruptive and tallied 16 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and two sacks. As he looks to be a key cog in Utah’s defensive unit in 2025, he knows progress is needed to become a truly impactful player.
“It’s being disciplined, not only on the field but with film,” Vakalahi said. “Knowing my techniques and where I’m supposed to be at on each play. As I work with my brothers, we can better perform as a whole.”
