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Tafuna and Vele Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society
4/10/2024 1:01 PM | Football
Pair of Utes recognized for academic success
SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna and wide receiver Devaughn Vele have been named to the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, announced on Wednesday by the National Football Foundation.
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Now in its 18th year, the Hampshire Honor Society celebrates academic achievement throughout all divisions of NCAA, NAIA and sprint football. A record 1,988 student-athletes were recognized this season from 339 schools. Honorees met a variety of criteria, including at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA throughout their careers.
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Tafuna, a native of nearby Taylorsville, Utah, has played in 38 games as a Ute with starts in his last 36 appearances. A three-time Pac-12 All-Conference pick, he was named the league's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and is a two-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll recipient. In 2021 and '22, Tafuna anchored a defensive line that helped Utah produce two of the top-nine team TFL totals in program history with 98 TFL in 2021 and 90 during 2022.
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A former walk-on, Vele went on to play in 47 games as a Ute with 28 starts. He caught at least one pass in 35 games, including three different 100-yard performances. Named Pac-12 All-Conference in 2022, Vele ranked second on the team that year in receptions (55) and receiving yards (695), before leading the squad in both categories in 2023. During his final two seasons, Vele contributed on punt and kick returns as well as at wide receiver. The Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll recipient wrapped up his time as a Ute with 123 receptions for 1,689 yards and nine touchdowns.
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FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2024 season, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
UTAH 360 APP
Fans can download the Utah 360 App, powered by the Crimson Collective, for inside access, game highlights, exclusive player interviews and more. The app is free on the App Store or Google Play with all content available on your desktop as well at utah.ftwin360.com.
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Now in its 18th year, the Hampshire Honor Society celebrates academic achievement throughout all divisions of NCAA, NAIA and sprint football. A record 1,988 student-athletes were recognized this season from 339 schools. Honorees met a variety of criteria, including at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA throughout their careers.
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Tafuna, a native of nearby Taylorsville, Utah, has played in 38 games as a Ute with starts in his last 36 appearances. A three-time Pac-12 All-Conference pick, he was named the league's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and is a two-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll recipient. In 2021 and '22, Tafuna anchored a defensive line that helped Utah produce two of the top-nine team TFL totals in program history with 98 TFL in 2021 and 90 during 2022.
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A former walk-on, Vele went on to play in 47 games as a Ute with 28 starts. He caught at least one pass in 35 games, including three different 100-yard performances. Named Pac-12 All-Conference in 2022, Vele ranked second on the team that year in receptions (55) and receiving yards (695), before leading the squad in both categories in 2023. During his final two seasons, Vele contributed on punt and kick returns as well as at wide receiver. The Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll recipient wrapped up his time as a Ute with 123 receptions for 1,689 yards and nine touchdowns.
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FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2024 season, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
UTAH 360 APP
Fans can download the Utah 360 App, powered by the Crimson Collective, for inside access, game highlights, exclusive player interviews and more. The app is free on the App Store or Google Play with all content available on your desktop as well at utah.ftwin360.com.
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