BYU defensive finish Uriah Leiataua smiles as he talks after BYU’s professional day in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. Leiataua and James Empey had been just lately acknowledged as members of the 2022 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
James Empey and Uriah “Lopa” Leiataua just lately completed standout school soccer careers taking part in within the trenches for the BYU soccer staff, Empey on the offensive line and Leiataua on the defensive position.
They're additionally dispelling notions that the “huge hogs” up entrance aren’t among the many smartest gamers on a soccer staff. After receiving honors from one of the vital prestigious school sports activities organizations within the nation on the subject of teachers final week, Empey and Leiataua are arguably the neatest gamers on the staff this 12 months.
Empey and Leiataua each participated in BYU’s professional day final month and are hoping to listen to their names referred to as subsequent week in the course of the NFL draft in Las Vegas. Final week, the previous Cougars gave NFL scouts and basic managers much more to consider after they had been acknowledged by the Nationwide Soccer Basis and Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame as members of the 2022 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
The honour society is made up of faculty soccer gamers from all divisions who maintained a cumulative grade level common of three.2 or higher all through their school careers and had been a starter or vital contributor. In different phrases, benchwarmers needn't apply.
BYU, which has had 67 honorees, continues to rank No. 1 amongst Soccer Bowl Subdivision applications with probably the most honorees for the reason that society’s inception in 2007.
Greater than 1,500 gamers from 314 colleges certified for membership within the society this 12 months. BYU is considered one of 5 FBS colleges to have had a participant honored yearly the previous 16 years.
Empey, a Freshman All-American in 2018 from American Fork, graduated with a 3.84 GPA as a finance main and minor in nonprofit administration.
Leiataua, who's from Compton, California, performed in 49 profession video games and all 13 in 2021 as a fifth-year senior. He's a former Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works candidate and performed a giant position in BYU’s True Blue Hero program.
Leiataua has mentioned that if skilled soccer doesn't work out, he'll attend regulation faculty.