60 in 60: #38 BYU’s Lopini Katoa (Running Back)
Jul 12, 2022, 1:36 PM | Updated: 1:44 pm
Lopini Katoa #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars leaps over Aaron Robinson #31 of the Central Florida Knights in the first half at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for Hans & Scotty’s 60 in 60 is on. Coming in at #38 is BYU‘s Lopini Katoa (RB).
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).
“Lopini Katoa can really do it all,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of his running back. “Can catch the ball out of the backfield, can line up as a receiver, can block as well, has the ability to turn a simple run into a big play. He’s does it all, he’s an every down back for us, looking forward to seeing him in his senior year.”
BYU’s Lopini Katoa
Katoa is a senior from American Fork, Utah.
Prior to his time with the Cougars, the running back was a standout player at American Fork High School. Katoa helped the Cavemen to the state title game in 2014. He was also named as an all-state selection and Region 4 MVP. Katoa finished his senior season with 284 carries for 1,653 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had 44 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns.
After high school, Katoa enrolled at Oregon State before transferring to BYU.
He’s been a member of the Cougars since 2017.
During his first season at BYU, Katoa ran the ball 76 times for 423 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games.
#38 in our 60in60 is BYU RB Lopini Katoa. He’s the RB fundamental! Lopini is universal! pic.twitter.com/NH72ARTuvT
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 12, 2022
A year later, Katoa played in 12 games and ran the ball 85 times for 258 yards and four touchdowns.
During his junior season in 2020, Katoa had 84 carries for 444 yards and five touchdowns.
Last season, he ran the ball 61 times for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
During his first four seasons at BYU, Katoa was also a threat out of the backfield. He’s recorded 76 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver in 47 games.
#38 in our 60in60 Lopini Katoa is a coaches dream. Does it all and has ZERO ego. Love this kid. pic.twitter.com/VRYFNqdpiQ
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 12, 2022
Over the past two seasons, he helped the Cougars to a combined record of 21-4, including an 11-1 record in 2020.
Katoa 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.
