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The University of Utah Athletics
Sione Vaki Earns All-America Honors From Sports Illustrated
12/7/2023 8:38 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football starting safety and all-purpose player Sione Vaki has been named an All-American by Sports Illustrated, earning second-team recognition.
The Antioch, Calif., native has started all 12 games at safety this season with 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and three passes defended (1 INT, 2 PBU), also adding 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs). This season, Vaki was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, earning a spot on their weekly honor roll three times.
On defense, Vaki has averaged 4.3 tackles per game, which includes five games with five-or-more stops. He had back-to-back outings with a season-high nine tackles (vs. UCLA, at Oregon State) with his game against the Beavers including a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Out of his 8.5 total tackles for loss this season, 7.5 came during conference play, which tied for 10th in the league.
Also, in seven games this year, Vaki saw time at running back, slot receiver and in the wildcat, showing off his versatile set of skills. Against California, he rushed for 158 yards on 15 carries (10.5 ypc), the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in recorded league history, also becoming the first Ute defensive back to rush for two touchdowns in a game since 2006 (Eric Weddle).
He also had a 149 receiving yards on just five catches (29.8 ypc) with two touchdowns at USC. Against Washington, Vaki caught his second 53-yard touchdown of the season, making him the first Pac-12 player since 2014 to have both a receiving touchdown and a sack in the same game.
Vaki earned All-Pac-12 first-team honors for both his performance as a safety and an all-purpose player this season. He has played in 26 carries games with 17 starts as a Ute.
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
The Antioch, Calif., native has started all 12 games at safety this season with 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and three passes defended (1 INT, 2 PBU), also adding 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs). This season, Vaki was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, earning a spot on their weekly honor roll three times.
On defense, Vaki has averaged 4.3 tackles per game, which includes five games with five-or-more stops. He had back-to-back outings with a season-high nine tackles (vs. UCLA, at Oregon State) with his game against the Beavers including a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Out of his 8.5 total tackles for loss this season, 7.5 came during conference play, which tied for 10th in the league.
Also, in seven games this year, Vaki saw time at running back, slot receiver and in the wildcat, showing off his versatile set of skills. Against California, he rushed for 158 yards on 15 carries (10.5 ypc), the most rushing yards by a Pac-12 defensive back in recorded league history, also becoming the first Ute defensive back to rush for two touchdowns in a game since 2006 (Eric Weddle).
He also had a 149 receiving yards on just five catches (29.8 ypc) with two touchdowns at USC. Against Washington, Vaki caught his second 53-yard touchdown of the season, making him the first Pac-12 player since 2014 to have both a receiving touchdown and a sack in the same game.
Vaki earned All-Pac-12 first-team honors for both his performance as a safety and an all-purpose player this season. He has played in 26 carries games with 17 starts as a Ute.
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
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