Loyal Cougars

Happy Va’a Niumatalolo/Brayden El-Bakri Day: 35 Days to Kickoff!

The 2016 Countdown to Kickoff continues with 35 days (5 WEEKS FROM TODAY) until BYU’s season opener in Arizona. Each day we highlight the player or two that wear that day’s number on their jerseys. If you check back each day, by the end of the summer you’ll know every player on BYU’s 2016 roster.

Happy Va’a Niumatalolo/Brayden El-Bakri Day!
35 Days to Kickoff!

Va’a Niumatalolo

Redshirt Junior Inside Linebacker (Projected #4/5 Middle LB)
6’2″, 231 pounds
Class of 2011: Broadneck H.S. (Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland)
2011: Redshirt LB at BYU; No game appearances (Scout Team)
2012-2014: Utah St. George Mission
2014: RS Freshman LB at BYU; Recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble in 2 game appearances
2015: RS Sophomore LB at BYU; Recorded 4 tackles and 1 sack in 3 games played

Brayden El-Bakri

el-bakri_brayden_ftb16_05

Redshirt Sophomore Walk-on Running Back (Projected #2 Fullback)
6’0″, 236 pounds
Class of 2012: Brighton H.S. (Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah)
2012: Redshirt RB at BYU; No game appearances (Scout Team)
2013-2015: Uruguay Montevideo West Mission
2015: RS Freshman RB at BYU; Recorded no stats in 4 game appearances