Viliami Fehoko Explained

Viliami Fehoko
Current Team:Dallas Cowboys
Number:93
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:16 December 1999
Birth Place:Stanford, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:267
College:San Jose State (2018–2022)
Draftyear:2023
Draftround:4
Draftpick:129
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total Tackles
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Fumble Recoveries
Statlabel4:Interceptions
Statlabel5:Pass Deflections
Statlabel6:Defensive Touchdowns
Pfr:FehoVi00

Viliami Taopa Fehoko Jr. (born December 16, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at San Jose State.

Early years

Born in Stanford and raised in East Palo Alto, California, Fehoko attended St Francis High School, where he played as a tight end. As a senior, he received All-West Coast Athletic League, Bay Area News Group first-team All-Bay Area and San Francisco Chronicle honorable-mention All-Metro honors.[1]

He also was part of the East Palo Alto Razorbacks rugby club. On February 3, 2018, Fehoko committed to San Jose State University.[2]

College career

As a true freshman in 2018, he was converted from a tight end into a defensive end. He appeared in 4 conference games, before being redshirted. He tallied 5 tackles, with three coming against the University of Wyoming.[3]

As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he was named the starter at left defensive end, recording 44 tackles (3 for loss), one sack, and 4 pass deflections (tied for second on the team).[4]

As a sophomore in 2020, the season was reduced to 8 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He started all 8 games, collecting 36 tackles (fifth on the team), 12.5 tackles for loss (led the conference), 6 sacks (second on the team), one pass deflection, and one fumble recovered. He had 6 tackles (2 for loss) and one sack against the University of New Mexico. He was named first-team All-Mountain West for the first time in his career.[5] [6]

As a junior in 2021, he started all 12 games, registering 37 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss (led the team), 6 sacks (led the team), 3 forced fumbles (led the team), and deflected six passes. He had 7 tackles against the University of Wyoming. He was named first-team All-Mountain West for the second time.[7] [8]

As a senior in 2022, he started in all 12 games, posting a career-high 69 tackles (third on the team), 19 tackles for loss (fifth in the nation), 9 sacks (led the team), two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one deflected pass.[9] [10] He had 7 tackles (3 for loss), one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery against Fresno State University. He made 12 tackles (4.5 for loss), 2 sacks and one forced fumble against the University of Nevada. He had 5 tackles (3 for loss) and two sacks against Colorado State University. He was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Mountain West for the third straight year.[11] [12] [13]

He finished his career with 191 tackles, 46 tackles for loss (second in school history), 23 sacks (fifth in school history), 14 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 48 games played.

Professional career

Fehoko was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.[14] The Cowboys placed him on injured reserve with a knee injury on November 18, 2023.[15] He was activated on January 3, 2024.[16]

Personal life

Fehoko is a second cousin of NFL nose tackle Vita Vea. His father worked as a chef at a Bay Area restaurant that was owned by former NFL wide receiver Dwight Clark. He can speak Tongan and communicate in sign language.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Viliami Fehoko. San Jose State University. June 12, 2023.
  2. Web site: Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State, Defensive Line . 247Sports . 9 April 2023.
  3. Web site: 2018 San Jose State Spartans Stats . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 9 April 2023.
  4. Web site: 2019 San Jose State Spartans Stats . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 9 April 2023.
  5. Web site: 2020 San Jose State Spartans Stats . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 9 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Mountain West Announces 2020 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors . Mountain West Conference . 9 April 2023.
  7. Web site: 2021 San Jose State Spartans Stats . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 9 April 2023.
  8. Web site: MW Announces 2021 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors . Mountain West Conference . 9 April 2023.
  9. Web site: Cummings . Ian . Cummings’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Will It Be Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, or Anthony Richardson for the Panthers? . Pro Football Network . 9 April 2023.
  10. Web site: San Jose State Spartans . NFL Mock Draft Database . 9 April 2023.
  11. Web site: 2022 San Jose State Spartans Stats . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 9 April 2023.
  12. Web site: Mountain West Announces 2022 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors . Mountain West Conference . 9 April 2023.
  13. Web site: Fehoko Named MW Defensive Player of The Year to Lead 10 Spartans with All-MW Honors . SJSU Athletics . 9 April 2023.
  14. Web site: Viliami Fehoko to Dallas as 4th-Round Pick. Walker, Patrik. DallasCowboys.com. April 29, 2023.
  15. Web site: Updates: Evans signed; Dowdle questionable. November 18, 2023. November 18, 2023. DallasCowboys.com. Dallas Cowboys Staff Writers.
  16. Web site: Williams . Charean . Cowboys activate DL Viliami Fehoko from IR, place RB Deuce Vaughn on IR . NBC Sports . 2024-01-03 . 2024-07-27.