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The University of Utah Athletics
Kavika Luafatasaga: The Path Less Traveled
11/16/2017 3:58 PM | Football
By Riley Elliott
Utah Athletics Communications
Like most college football players, Kavika Luafatasaga's start in the game came at a young age. Growing up in the projects of Honolulu, football was something that children had as an everyday escape during their youth.
"I grew up in a little area called Kalihi. I used to love the weekends when my friends and I would wake up early and just start playing football," said Luafatasaga. "We would start at eight or nine in the morning and go until it was dark. Then I started playing football for the first time competitively in the seventh grade, playing for my middle school team. I watched my brothers play competitively for several years, and I knew it was something I wanted to pursue."
After playing throughout middle school and high school, the path that Luafatasaga took to earning a starting position at linebacker for the University of Utah was very different compared to most players. Dropping out of high school, Luafatasaga was not eligible to attend most universities, which left the junior college route as his only option.
"Arizona Western was the only junior college that really looked at me in high school," explained Luafatasaga. "It was a challenge for me being over in Yuma. It was a hot place and nothing was over there, which also made me miss home a lot."
Luafatasaga was first-team all-WSFL and all-ACCAC selection in 2015, and was rated a four-star recruit by scout.com. In his final season at Arizona Western as a sophomore, he led the team with 93 tackles, including 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Luafatasaga was originally committed to Mississippi out of Arizona Western, but he had a change of heart after his first visit to Utah.
"I didn't think I was going to come to the U. at all. I switched on signing day. I was going to go to Mississippi, but I ended up not signing with them," recalled Luafatasaga. "When I came here on my visit I just really loved it, especially the team and coaches, and that's why I picked here."
Luafatasaga made an immediate impact with the Utes, further validating his last-minute decision. He played in all 13 games with eight starts in 2016, tallying 52 tackles with five tackles for a loss and four sacks. Continuing his success from last season, Luafatasaga has been one of the Utes' top tacklers this season with a team-high 66 stops along with 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and an interception. As a senior, Luafatasaga finds himself in a leadership role, which is different than previous years.
"I started noticing that I was taking more of a leadership role in the offseason, and since then it has just progressed from there. I try to portray myself as a guy that people can look up to and they know that he is doing things the right way," said Luafatasaga.
Along with the motivation that Luafatasaga finds on the field by being a leader for his teammates, he also has a primary source of motivation off of the field. His drive to continue football after he completes his senior season and earns his degree from Utah is rooted within his family.
"I do all of this for my family. I have a son and he is one of the main reasons I come out here every day," Luafatasaga continued. "With growing up and not having a lot, this is the one thing I really have a chance to make big with in life."
After Luafatasaga receives his bachelor degree in sociology in December of 2017, he hopes to continue his football career in the National Football League. If that is not an option for him, he will pursue a career utilizing his degree in sociology, and is currently leaning towards the law enforcement field.
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Utah Athletics Communications
Like most college football players, Kavika Luafatasaga's start in the game came at a young age. Growing up in the projects of Honolulu, football was something that children had as an everyday escape during their youth.
"I grew up in a little area called Kalihi. I used to love the weekends when my friends and I would wake up early and just start playing football," said Luafatasaga. "We would start at eight or nine in the morning and go until it was dark. Then I started playing football for the first time competitively in the seventh grade, playing for my middle school team. I watched my brothers play competitively for several years, and I knew it was something I wanted to pursue."
After playing throughout middle school and high school, the path that Luafatasaga took to earning a starting position at linebacker for the University of Utah was very different compared to most players. Dropping out of high school, Luafatasaga was not eligible to attend most universities, which left the junior college route as his only option.
"Arizona Western was the only junior college that really looked at me in high school," explained Luafatasaga. "It was a challenge for me being over in Yuma. It was a hot place and nothing was over there, which also made me miss home a lot."
Luafatasaga was first-team all-WSFL and all-ACCAC selection in 2015, and was rated a four-star recruit by scout.com. In his final season at Arizona Western as a sophomore, he led the team with 93 tackles, including 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Luafatasaga was originally committed to Mississippi out of Arizona Western, but he had a change of heart after his first visit to Utah.
"I didn't think I was going to come to the U. at all. I switched on signing day. I was going to go to Mississippi, but I ended up not signing with them," recalled Luafatasaga. "When I came here on my visit I just really loved it, especially the team and coaches, and that's why I picked here."
Luafatasaga made an immediate impact with the Utes, further validating his last-minute decision. He played in all 13 games with eight starts in 2016, tallying 52 tackles with five tackles for a loss and four sacks. Continuing his success from last season, Luafatasaga has been one of the Utes' top tacklers this season with a team-high 66 stops along with 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and an interception. As a senior, Luafatasaga finds himself in a leadership role, which is different than previous years.
"I started noticing that I was taking more of a leadership role in the offseason, and since then it has just progressed from there. I try to portray myself as a guy that people can look up to and they know that he is doing things the right way," said Luafatasaga.
Along with the motivation that Luafatasaga finds on the field by being a leader for his teammates, he also has a primary source of motivation off of the field. His drive to continue football after he completes his senior season and earns his degree from Utah is rooted within his family.
"I do all of this for my family. I have a son and he is one of the main reasons I come out here every day," Luafatasaga continued. "With growing up and not having a lot, this is the one thing I really have a chance to make big with in life."
After Luafatasaga receives his bachelor degree in sociology in December of 2017, he hopes to continue his football career in the National Football League. If that is not an option for him, he will pursue a career utilizing his degree in sociology, and is currently leaning towards the law enforcement field.
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Players Mentioned
LB
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