SALT LAKE CITY — Tauni Vakapuna has made up ground quickly. After missing spring ball to help his mother recover from a kidney transplant, the walk-on senior has climbed back onto Utah's depth chart at running back. He's currently No. 2, behind frontrunner John White IV and ahead of projected contenders Harvey Langi and Thretton Palamo.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said it's a tribute to Vakapuna's work ethic and concentration.
"He's not real fast but is powerful, and he's quick. He's got great vision. That might be his best asset," Whittingham explained. "He understands where to hit the hole and if it's not there, he's got great vision to make an adjustment."
Vakapuna is adept at dealing with changes. He's got the resume to prove it.
Since rushing for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns on Hunter High's 14-0 state championship team in 2003, Vakapuna has served an LDS Church mission to the Philippines and played football for Dixie State College. He wound up transferring to Utah, where he could better help his ailing parents.
Things worked out on the field as well. Vakapuna scored a touchdown in the Utes' spring game in 2010 and led the team in rushing in the three fall scrimmages that followed. The junior backed up co-starters Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide, appearing in all 13 games last season — netting 79 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
In the midst of Las Vegas Bowl preparations, however, Vakapuna's focus changed. He learned that his mother would undergo a kidney transplant — a day before the surgery. The donor was one of his sisters.
Approaching final exams added to the hectic time.
"It was nuts," Vakapuna said.
When things finally settled down a bit, there was little time for football. Vakapuna chose to leave the Utes and help his mother, who had been on dialysis for some time, get better.
"He made the right decision," Whittingham said. "It was the thing he needed to do at that point and time."
Vakapuna agrees.
"It's not one I regret," he said of his decision. "My mom will always come before the program."
The Utes, though, also remained close to Vakapuna's heart.
As Vakapuna's mother and sister recovered from the surgery, the 5-foot-9, 229-pound running back wound up returning to the team.
"Honestly, I thought I was done," Vakapuna said. "Until I came to a practice and I missed it."
Vakapuna had developed a lot of friendships in the program and was welcomed back with open arms. He's having fun in camp and loves the grind even though it's often tiring and exhausting.
"I'm happy just being here with the team," said Vakapuna, who has 90 yards rushing over the first two scrimmages. He's adjusting well to the tweaked scheme favoring more downhill running under new offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
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