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PROVO — One day after Zach Wilson was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, BYU coach Kalani Sitake wasn't done adding to his upcoming recruiting class.
Victory Vaka, a defensive tackle from Westlake Village, California, committed to BYU on Friday night, announcing his intentions on social media.
The 6-foot-2, 350-pounder was a top-50 defensive tackle by 247 Sports, which rated him as the No. 67 overall recruit in the state of California.
Stick To The Script Till The Scene Switch! #GoCougars#CTRpic.twitter.com/WDiwXdCeBe
— 🥷🏽📿 (@victoryvaka) April 30, 2021
The three-star recruit chose BYU over offers from Colorado, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Arizona and Arizona State, among others. Vaka's commitment brings BYU's rating for the Class of 2021 up to No. 65 nationally, according to 247 Sports — the program's highest mark since 2016 and the highest average recruit ranking since 2010.
A Polynesian Bowl all-star in 2020, Vaka committed to Colorado last Christmas but de-committed a month later when he opted to reopen his commitment.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a four-year varsity player, Vaka had 126 tackles and three sacks in his first three seasons with the Warriors, who like the rest of California pushed football season to the spring due to the pandemic.
Vaka joins 16 other players in BYU's 2021 high school recruiting class, a group that includes Timpview standouts Logan Fano and Raider Damuni. Vaka will be the third defensive lineman, joining East High's Ricky Wolfgramm and Enoka Migao of Chaparral High in Temecula, California.
In addition, the Cougars will also welcome home 17 players from previous classes — mostly from missions — a group that includes former Lehi tight end Dallin Holker, American Fork wide receiver Chase Roberts and Lone Peak pass rusher Michael Daley.
