
Pio Vatuvei, Former Louisville Defensive end and USA Hawk signs with the Utah Warriors
Salt Lake CIty, December 11, 2017: The Utah Warriors announce the signing of former Louisville Defensive End and USA Hawk, Pio Vatuvei.
“Signing with the Warriors means a lot to me and I look forward to putting in plenty of hours of hard work and effort with the team to have a successful season.” said Vatuvei. “I love new challenges and I love to compete. I put a lot on myself to do more than is expected. My brother passed away a few years ago and he was the best rugby player I knew. He always told me that I have all the talent in the world, but I just have to believe, and put my mind, body and soul into the game if I want to be successful. I didn’t know what he meant when he was saying it, but with this opportunity with the Utah Warriors I plan on putting those words my brother told me all those years ago into action.”
Vatuvei comes from a Tongan family and grew up in Hayward California. At Patterson High School Vatuvei was a nationally ranked Defensive End and was recruited by Utah and USC, but went to the University of Washington as a Freshman. In 2014 Vatuvei transferred to Louisville playing two seasons for the Cardinals and won the Music City Bowl in 2015 over Texas A&M.
“he’s a humble hard working guy who lets his actions on the field speak for themself. As a football defensive end he brings a lot of physicality to the team”
Vatuvei started playing rugby with his brother and cousins when he was young to stay busy after the Football season. He was a member of the Hayward Griffins from 2006 to 2011. Football presented the most opportunities at the time, so rugby took the back seat until 2016 when Vatuvei played at Louisville.
In his first season with the Cardinals Vatuvei caught the attention of the All American coaches and was invited into their scouting camp. Recently Vatuvei joined the Jacksonville Axemen Rugby League team and represented the USA, starting for the Hawks against Canada in September.
As a Defensive End Vatuvei was 6’2 and 296 lbs, but on the rugby pitch he has played center, flanker and started in the halves for the USA Hawkes at 250 lbs. Pio will look to move to prop with the Warriors with the option of utilizing his agility, speed and size in other areas of the pitch.
“Pio is a great find for us,” said Warriors Head Coach, Alf Daniels, “he’s a humble hard working guy who lets his actions on the field speak for themself. As a football defensive end he brings a lot of physicality to the team, but i’ve seen him run and he’s a handful to try and stop with the ball in hand. He’s been through a lot in his life and adapts with whatever challenge is thrown his way. That’s not only the kind of player we want, that’s the kind of Warriors we need.”
Recent Posts
Warriors Win Another At Home
HERRIMAN — Utah Warriors coach Greg Cooper used the word ‘courage’ throughout
Utah Selects kick off season on Friday
HERRIMAN, Utah— The Utah Selects 2023 season will officially begin this Friday,
Van Den Berg records 50 caps ahead of New England match
HERRIMAN — Franco Van Den Berg recently recorded his 50th playing cap
W Nation: Ep 83 | Final 20 Explosion vs Toronto
On this week's episode of W Nation, Jarom Jordan and Bansky recap
Warriors take down Toronto 47-19 at home
HERRIMAN, Utah — Respect isn’t just given, it has to be earned,
News Tags
Archives
- March 2023 (13)
- February 2023 (8)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (3)
- November 2022 (5)
- October 2022 (6)
- September 2022 (7)
- August 2022 (8)
- July 2022 (7)
- June 2022 (2)
- May 2022 (10)
- April 2022 (13)
- March 2022 (16)
- February 2022 (13)
- January 2022 (11)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (5)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (9)
- July 2021 (18)
- June 2021 (30)
- May 2021 (23)
- April 2021 (15)
- March 2021 (13)
- February 2021 (3)
- January 2021 (2)
- December 2020 (3)
- November 2020 (12)
- October 2020 (13)
- September 2020 (5)
- August 2020 (8)
- July 2020 (1)
- June 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (7)
- February 2020 (13)
- January 2020 (3)
- December 2019 (3)
- November 2019 (7)
- October 2019 (8)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (1)
- July 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (3)
- May 2019 (10)
- April 2019 (12)
- March 2019 (5)
- February 2019 (6)
- January 2019 (4)
- December 2018 (3)
- September 2018 (1)
- August 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (3)
- May 2018 (8)
- April 2018 (5)
- March 2018 (6)
- February 2018 (6)
- January 2018 (3)
- December 2017 (8)
- November 2017 (5)
- October 2017 (2)
- August 2017 (2)
- July 2017 (1)