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Provo • At college football signing day last February, everybody at BYU was talking about the swift receivers coach Bronco Mendenhall was bringing in, or how the Cougars beat USC for all-everything linebacker Fred Warner.
Everybody except on-campus recruiting coordinator Geoff Martzen, that is. He was talking about another three-star linebacker from Southern California who committed to BYU so early that the hype for him didn't build as it did for Warner and others.
Sione Takitaki was an absolute steal for the Cougars, Martzen said.
During last Thursday's 31-24 overtime loss at Central Florida, Takitaki showed that BYU's director of player personnel was right. With UCF in scoring territory just before halftime, Takitaki not only sacked Knights quarterback Justin Holman, he stripped the ball away and recovered it as well.
"Two true freshmen, Fred Warner and Sione Takitaki, came in and did a really nice job," Mendenhall said.
It was an epic moment for Takitaki, who is making the most out of a second chance given to him by Mendenhall last summer.
Shortly after arriving at BYU, Takitaki was involved in a fight in the dorms, among other missteps, and was booted off the team. He was told he could stay in school, but couldn't be involved with the football team until January.
However, some administrators and family members intervened, and Mendenhall apparently changed his mind after some sort of player vote because the freshman told the truth about his involvement in the trouble-making when other players didn't.
"Yeah, there were some things that he did in the summer time that kinda put him in jeopardy to be on the team," said linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga. "But he took care of those things, and has been great. He's a great kid, very respectful, and just really trying to get used to the environment here at BYU."
Takitaki didn't want to get into details of the temporary dismissal when asked about it Wednesday.
"I don't really want to touch on that topic, but yeah, man, just thankful to the Lord and Bronco for giving me a second chance and all glory to God," he said.
Takitaki was raised by a single mother and had a difficult upbringing in a rough section of Fontana, Calif.
"He really hasn't had much structure in his life. So really, this is the first time he's had structure," Poppinga said. "He's an amazing kid to be around, and our team loves him. I am just anxious to see him continue to grow and develop as a player."
Against Central Florida, Takitaki recorded another sack and two quarterback hurries in his biggest chunk of playing time to date as he, Warner and sophomore safety Kaimana Nacua filled in for injured starters such as Alani Fua and Craig Bills.
"I think we all saw that [Takitaki could rush the passer] during fall camp," Poppinga said. "He came in right away and we knew he could pass rush right off the bat. So that's why we moved him from inside to outside. As the season goes on, I think he is going to continue to make a big impact with our team."
Asked Tuesday how BYU was finally able to get a pass rush going against UCF after barely touching Utah State quarterback Darell Garretson six days before that, defensive coordinator Nick Howell referred to Takitaki.
"Sione played well," Howell said. "But we knew that. He's our best pass rusher."
As starting outside linebackers Fua and Bronson Kaufusi get healthy, Poppinga said it will be a challenge to find roles for Takitaki and Warner.
"We have known Sione for a long time," Poppinga said. "Ever since he was a freshman he has been coming to our camps. People knew about him. He was a highly recruited kid out of Southern California. I don't think he had the attention [that Warner did] because he had BYU in mind the whole time."
Takitaki confirmed that Wednesday, saying, "Ever since I committed it was kinda like other colleges pushed me away. But I always knew I wanted to come here, so it didn't matter to me. Go Cougs."
Twitter: @drewjay —
Nevada at BYU
O Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV • ESPN2 —
Nevada at BYU
Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2