John Vaka is a 6-foot-4 270 pound offensive tackle who is part of the BYU Cougars football team (Class of 2017).
JUCO OL prospect @johnvaka_ has committed to #BYU. Huge pickup for #BYUfootball heading into 2017. #GoCougs #RepTheY pic.twitter.com/9ERMGyWyBh
— TBS Recruits (@TBSrecruits) December 11, 2016
Vaka prepped at Skyline High School (Oakley, CA), where he was named to the Oakland All-League second team as a senior. Without a D1 offer out of High School he went and played two seasons at Diablo Valley College where he spent time at defensive tackle, tight end, and ultimately at offensive tackle. He was named to the All-National Bay 6 Conference first-team. Vaka was previously committed to playing at Oregon, but with the recent firing of their head coach he decided to de-commit and explore his other options.
Vaka was rated 3-stars by Scout, Rivals, and ESPN (grade of 79). ESPN had him as the No. 8 offensive tackle nationally. Vaka held scholarship offers from Arizona, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa State, New Mexico, Oregon, SDSU, UCF, Utah State, and Washington State. He was also getting interest from Arizona State, Cal, Mississippi State, and Utah.
| Hometown: | Oakley, California | High School: | Skyline |
| Class: | 2017 | HT/WT: | 6’4”, 270 lbs. |
| Position: | Offensive Tackle | 40 time: | |
| Profiles: | HUDL, Diablo Valley | Power ball: | |
| Twitter: | @johnvaka_ | Vertical: | |
| Offer date: | April 27, 2016 | Commit date: | December 11, 2016 |
| Rivals: |  (3 / 5) |
| Scout: | (3 / 5) |
| ESPN: | (3 / 5) |
| Average: | (3 / 5) |
BYU Insider caught up with John and asked him about his new commitment
Q: Why did you choose BYU? Why do you feel BYU is a good fit for you?
John: I chose BYU by destiny I believe. What happened over at Oregon helped me go out and look for a better school and BYU it was! I know I’ll enjoy my time there with Coach Sitake, I feel like he’s gonna do some great things with this program and I just wanna be apart of it.
Q: What do you most look forward to in suiting up for the cougars?
John: I look forward to just doing my thang on the field in the blue and white and put on for my peoples back home in the bay.
Q: What other schools were showing you love in the recruiting process?
John: Hawaii, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Washington State. I even have a message on my phone from a coach from Auburn University! It’s crazy how far my name has been heard.
Q: What are some of your favorites (movies, books, bands, music, breakfast cereal, etc.)?
John: Favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan and I really look up to Bob Marley, just the whole Rastafarian ideology of spreading peace and good vibes is so appealing to me cause that’s what I’m all about man, I’m a chill dude. And of course his music slap
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment in sports? In life?
John: My greatest accomplishment so far right now in sports is just how happy I’ve been able to make my parents because that should be every child’s goal man to just make their parents proud and going to BYU is a huge blessing to me and my family. Their happiness is my greatest accomplishment especially with my situation, having to go through the junior college route which is not easy at all. So, I’ve come a long way.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
John: The best advice I’ve ever gotten was to “just do you”, whatever goes on, just be yourself.
Q: What are your personal goals for this season (2017)?
John: My goals this season is to gain some weight, start, and contribute simple as that.
Related Articles:
- John Vaka, JC OL, commits to Oregon Ducks – Andrew Nemec, Oregon Live, June 8, 2016
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