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SALT LAKE CITY — As a former walk-on at Utah, Jason Fanaika came in every day to practice as a member of the scout team and proved his worth to the program. But some off-the-field hardships and ability to persevere helped him earn a scholarship and a starting role at Utah.
Fanaika came out of Pleasant Grove High School as a Utah State commit, looking to earn a role as a linebacker under then-head coach Gary Andersen. Fanaika played through the summer and fall camp before expecting to serve an LDS mission.
However, Fanaika later returned to Utah State after the team's devastating loss at Auburn in Chuckie Keeton's coming out game as a freshman. Fanaika eventually earned a starting role at outside linebacker despite having little experience with the team.
At the conclusion of his freshman season, Fanaika finally left to serve his LDS mission in Indianapolis. But after nine months, Fanaika decided to come home to help his family as his father, Sefita Fanaika, was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"I was more focused on being home more than anything. I had a brother out on a mission, so I felt like I need to come home and help take care of my family," Fanaika said.
Fanaika came home and got a job as a credit consultant and helped to take care of his younger siblings as his father went through cancer treatments.
"My mom got a job and my dad was pretty sick and wasn't real healthy," he said. "I have three younger siblings, so I was just helping out with rides and taking care of them."
While taking a year off from football, the University of Utah came calling, asking Fanaika if he wanted to walk-on to the program. Fanaika accepted the offer amid his father's improvement and spent the next season on the scout team where he impressed the coaches and players.
Fanaika had a mentor in former tight end Jake Murphy, who would work with him to get him where he needed to be to move from the scout team to a scholarship player contending for a starting role.
"He was a true competitor, a fierce competitor," Fanaika said of Murphy after he entered the NFL draft last year. "He came in every single day and made sure I was doing everything I needed to be doing."
"I hope the hard work I'm putting in will pay dividends for me," Fanaika said coming into his junior season.
The hard work paid off and the coaching staff took notice. In his junior season, Fanaika earned a scholarship and immediately became a physical presence on the field. In 13 games, Fanaika recorded 55 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble, fumble recovery and interception.
"We knew he was a good player and was elated to get him in the program when we did," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "But he has exceeded expectations. He's made himself into a great player."
Although Fanaika has spent much of his college career as a linebacker, Whittingham decided to move him to right defensive end permanently.
"His work ethic in the weight room — he's the strongest guy on the football team. He's explosive," Whittingham said. "I think what's really helped him this year and why he's coming into his own, is we're leaving him at one spot. Last year he was asked to do a little bit of linebacker and got diluted a little bit. But now he's focused in on one spot and is becoming a master of that spot."
Fanaika said he's excited to play Utah State for the first time since switching teams. He said he works with many of the players in summer and still has a good relationship with players, coaches and personnel on the team.
"I know some of their guys, so I'm real excited," he said.
