60 in 60: #35 BYU’s Pepe Tanuvasa (Defensive Line)
Jul 15, 2022, 1:42 PM
BYU linemanPepe Tanuvasa chases down BSU QB Hank Bachmeier (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for Hans & Scotty’s 60 in 60 is on. Coming in at #35 is BYU’s Pepe Tanuvasa (DL).
Throughout the summer Hans & Scotty are counting down the top 60 college football players in the state of Utah as voted on by the media (and a fan ballot).
“Pepe Tanuvasa has played a ton of different positions for us,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of his defensive lineman. “He can play the rush end, he can play our open end, he can play linebacker at all three spots. I think his best asset is that he can do many things and he does them really well.
#35 Pepe Tanuvasa is a brawler. Dude can own a field. pic.twitter.com/LvfiNATMAt
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 15, 2022
BYU’s Pepe Tanuvasa
Tanuvasa is a senior from Tigard, Oregon.
Before joining BYU, Tanuvasa played at Navy in 2018, where he appeared in 13 games for the Midshipmen, finishing with 32 tackles. His first season at BYU was in 2020, where he played in 12 games, recording 24 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and three quarterback hits.
He improved his numbers in 2021 after playing in 13 games, racking up 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and three quarterback hits. His three sacks came in three separate games against Arizona State, Boise State and Idaho State.
#35 in our 60in60 Pepe Tanuvasa is athletic and physical! BYU LB room is a mile deep and Pepe is the top of the heap. pic.twitter.com/XEqrbR6QBZ
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 15, 2022
Tanuvasa prepped at Tigard High School in Oregon, where he lettered in rugby and football. As a senior, he was named second team all-state. He served a two-year church mission in Florida and his father Michael played football at the University of Hawai’i.
Tanuvasa and the Cougars open their 2022 schedule on the road against the USF Bulls on September 3.
About the 60 in 60
Every summer Hans and Scotty reveal the best college football players in the state of Utah in their annual 60 in 60 as voted on by the media.
In 2022, for the first time ever, the 60 in 60 included one vote based on a fan ballot.
