Manaaki Vaitai
Offensive Line #79
Ht/Wt
6'
3"
|
317 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Euless, 
Texas
Last School
Trinity High School
Roster Years
2007 | 2010-2013


Career Summary

Manaaki Vaitai came to BYU as a first-team All-State selection from Trinity High School in Texas. As a two-time letterman at BYU, Vaitai played in 23 games with 11 starts. He contributed on a line that blocked for an average of 210.25 rushing yards per game his junior and senior seasons. Vaitai also helped BYU to a No. 10 national ranking in rushing offense and No. 14 in total offense in 2013. See the season summary tabs below and the stats tabs for more details. 

Personal

  • Parents are Val and Lola Vaitai
  • Served in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission for the LDS Church
  • Eagle Scout
  • Recruited by Baylor, Colorado State, Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and TCU

Before BYU

  • A Dallas Morning News first-team All-State selection
  • Provided run blocking for the state's top rushing team, averaging 276 yards per game
  • Credited with 264 knockdowns
  • A two-year starter for head coach Steve Lineweaveran
  • Helped lead the Trojans to an 11-1 record and a state championship game appearance
  • A unanimous first-team District 7-5A offensive lineman
  • Named a Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Teams first-team all-state selection
  • Earned MaxPreps second-team All-America honors
  • Received the Ray Verkerk Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2010

  • Contributed to the scout team after returning from LDS mission
Sophmore Year 2011

  • Contributed to scout team and played in one game vs. Idaho
Junior Year 2012

  • Earned letterman honors as a junior
  • Played in 10 games
  • Helped block for 153.2 rushing yards per game
  • Contributed on the line when BYU rushed for 396 yards against Hawai'i
Senior Year 2013

  • Played in 12 games while starting in two
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 2007

  • Contributed to the scout team
Medical Redshirt Year 2007

  • Contributed to the scout team


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    Athletics | Dec, 18

    Christmas Card from BYU Athletics

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