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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
I know the Cougars student athletes get a player profile
(00:03):
segment here on one oh three nine at ninety eight
three ESPN the.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Van Welcome back to Cougar Sports right here on one
o three nine and ninety three ESPN. The fan weron
with the three man weaver here getting into that four
fourth do excuse me of Cougar Sports at five o'clock hour.
You might be driving on your way home. You might
be listening on the ESPN the fan app. We appreciate
you wherever you're tuning in from. It's been a great
(00:30):
show this far. I've had a lot of content breaking down.
Just to recap a little bit. Bear Bachmeier is your
QB one, no doubt true freshman. First time a true
freshman's happened, and I think, if I'm correct, I saw it,
and I think Jerem Jordan put it out. I think
the first Asian American quarterback the BAU has had. I
think that's a little fun stat I'm always brought to
(00:50):
you by Banderwalth Banderwaldt. If you're looking for financial planning,
all we asked, did you get a free Q and
a no obligation to invest? This player profile segment going
to be brought to you by Dental Prosobutah dot com. Guys,
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(01:12):
give them a call today as well. And eight zero
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at dental Proso Utah dot com. We're gonna get into
my interview Ace Kafuzi. It's a guy that's been balling out.
I think he read shirted last year. I think I
mentioned that in the interview. But the linebacker group, Isaiah Glasker,
Jack Kelly phenomenal. But who's behind that? Ephram Aciat has
(01:34):
made a move Ben, You and I discussed that as well,
But now this is an opportunity to learn who's gonna
be behind these guys? Jack and Isaiah not gonna be here.
So who is the future, Who's rising up? Who has
an opportunity to make some plays. It's a game of attrition.
Well one as Kafuzi, the last name that's right is
a standout. When you make plays, coaches will put you
on the field, no doubt. So let's tune in. Let's
(01:57):
hear from BYU linebacker as Kafusi. I interview from earlier
today Vancougar Sports here with a Skufusi as howse practiced.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Great, it's a little hot out here, but it's the
last day of fall camp, so we're just happy to
be out here.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Last day of fall camp. Are you installing the game
plan going forward for Portland State?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
That starts on Thursday, So we'll have a lyft tomorrow
kind of get our bodies right, and then full pats
Thursday install everything, get prepared.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Have you already seen a tape on Portland State? What
do you know about the team so far?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, we've watched a lot over the off seasons, but
our coaches have kind of wanted us to just be
in the moment I get too overwhelmed. They're tired of
watching the same thing over again, so we're gonna watch
it all together.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
And be on the same page.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Your name has come up, you know during this fall camp,
you've been balling out. We've seen you running with the ones,
the twos. How would you evaluate your fall camp this year?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I think a lot of like we were talking about earlier,
got a lot of opportunities and they come very rarely,
so you got to make the most out of them,
and I think I did. We had some scrimmages where
I was able to produce a lot more than I've
done before and learned a lot from the guys in
front of me.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
So I think I did pretty well.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
I know you guys don't hit the quarterback, but have
you been able to get any tackles for loss you know,
any sacks that you've been made? Note over? Any interceptions?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah this, I had one in the stadium in our
practice before our scrimmage, But in almost previous scrimmage I
had a few tackles for losses and some rushes.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Like you said, we can't get too.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Close, but close enough to where it's you know, you
would have been there if the ball before the ball
was throw.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
What is something that you know this year that you
would have known last year?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Something I wish I would have known. I think just
the defense as a whole. Coach Hill talks about being motivated.
When you have competence, when you know what you're doing,
you're able to flow and make plays. And I think
that's the biggest thing for me this year is I've
played all positions so within the linebacker room, and so
I'm able to just be instinctive just make plays when
(04:02):
I see something I can attack, rather than being proudlyss
just by analysis.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
What position do you like playing the most in the
linebacker room.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
I've been playing a rover a lot more now and
it's kind of to the boundary, but there's a lot
of opportunity to make plays in all of them. So
wherever I am able to be out there and play
and make places where I want to be.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
That last name obviously means something at BYU. What is
you know, the legacy of the Kufusi family. What does
that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It means a lot, It takes a lot, and it
comes with a lot. But there's actually three of us
on the team. There's Mica and o'rian and then my
cousin Viill. He's a Culfusie as well, but his mom
is a Culfusie and so we don't take it lightly,
but we're grateful for the pressure that it comes with
because it's made us who we are today.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Have any other former kufusis giving you any advice? Have
you been here at BYU?
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, they all live around here and I look up
to all of them and we reach out where our
family functions together. And I like it because a lot
of it's just how are you doing off the field,
because I think that correlates.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
To how we perform on the field as well. Definitely
a name a bau and I think you're living up
to the pressure. What skill set do you bring to
the linebacker room?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
I think a lot of height is what they're liking,
and then speed and experience from now on. It took
some time to get in the books and learn the defense,
but now that I do have that, I'm working on
everything else to make sure that I and the best
I can be.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
So there's no choice but to have me on the field.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
What does that do for you? Confidence wise? Knowing the
playbook now knowing you can go out there and make place.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Like I said earlier, it's just instinctive. I think in
that scrimmage, that's the first time I just whenever I
saw ball, let's go get ball and see ball.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Get more.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, just be violent and kind of nasty, and that's
what the coaches wanted. And so I think when I
know what I'm doing, I'm able to do that a
lot better.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Is do you like playing in J Hills defense because
it allows you to be so aggressive, so violent to
make plays?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Oh? Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
And I just trust all of them because you can
tell they've spent years in this defense and they know
the little nuances and when things are supposed to be
a certain way and hits supposed to hit certain gaps
and others. And so just being able to have someone
that you can ask questions to and know the how
to answer allows you to just go out there and
trust that everyone will.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Do their job too.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Preseason polls don't really matter. But when you see Jack Kelly,
Isaiah Glasker, guys who are potential NFL guys left off
in that preseason poll at the linebacker position, and knowing
the depth you guys have that, how does that feel
you guys?
Speaker 3 (06:25):
I mean you'd have to be dumb not to see
what they've done and what they can do. And that
means a lot to our group too. We look up
to them we respect them, We're grateful for all that
they do because they make a lot of sacrifices, and
so it just feels the fire and we all know
having them in our room, we all know the standard
and so we try our best to live up to
it and then raise it as well.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Talk about your relationship with Justin and how has he
been as a coach for you.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Oh, I've been blessed to have him.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
He brings out the violence and the intensity that a
linebacker room needs to have, as well as the fact
that he knows exactly what he's doing. He pushes us
to become the best that we need to be in
order for this defense to succeed. Because he doesn't take
the linebacker group lightly. We're supposed to kind of govern
everything everyone does, and so I'm grateful for him.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Why come to BYU? Play for BYU? Obviously, you know
what the linebacker room has meant. You look at guys
in the NFL, You look at CALVANOI, f at Warner,
guys that played here. Why commit to BYU and play?
Speaker 4 (07:25):
Like I said earlier, my family means everything to me.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
All of my cousins that I'll live around here and
are successful with their families as well, have given me
kind of a model that I want to have as well.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
And a big part of their success was coming to BYU.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And so I kind of want to follow that and
raise the standard as well for the future generations.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Outside of BYU is more. You know, they talk about faith,
They say faith, family, football. Amen, those are the three
you know words that you have to go by. What
has faith meant to you in your life? And how
has that played a role here at b YU spent everything?
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I served a mission in the California San Jose Mission
changed my life for the better. I think about it
a lot, those experiences and my faith keeps them grounded,
gives me reason purpose, It allows me to look forward
and have hope.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
And the opportunity to change and become a better man.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
And then football is just another opportunity to do something
that I love and have fun with a lot of
the brothers that meant that will lost, those relationships will
last forever.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
In your opinion, why do you think that's been so contagious?
Now we're in a different state of college football, the
landscape within il Why do you think that is sticking true? Now?
This more faith? You know, model on top of everything else.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Money can't buy happiness and experiences that will change your life,
as well as the fact that.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
You're gonna make money in your life sometime.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
But if you're not becoming someone that you want to be,
you'll be left with a lot of monetary things and
a lot of opportunity to look back and wish that
you were someone else. And so I think when you
put God first to teach scriptures, teach that everything falls
into place.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
And a lot of people are starting to recommend.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Is that now you've mentioned a little bit, but football
means so much. But who does a skufus? You want
to become?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Uh man, I want to become just like my pops
he serves and my mom as well. It was just
her birthday, so shout out.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
To my mom.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Just someone who is selfless, strives to develop crest like
attributes and then's just optimistic, very joyful because life short
and so why not just be good and do good?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Sounds like you your parents have been a big influence
in your life.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Absolutely, they're everything to me.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Oh what did you learn from last season that you
want to build on going into this season?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
So I actually retro did last season and so the
biggest thing for me was I was itching to get
on the field and that has driven my off season
and it's allowed me to go up against our offense
last year every single day, so you learn how to
use my hands. Although we were scouting different defenses, just
recognizing when it's a run versus a past, when we
have a lot.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Of fakes because our offense is good at scheming things up.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Thinking of the offense. Bear Bachmeyer, Aaron Roddick, just the
name is going to be the starting quarterback, first time,
a true freshman at BO. He's been named. Just what
have you seen from Baron? What has it been like
for you going up against him?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Oh, he's tough, he's tough, he's young, but that brings
a lot of energy, enthusiasm and yeah, just a lot
of good And I've actually off the field. We went
to that camp in Hebrew. Got'll know him a lot more.
It's just a chill guy and so it's someone that
I trust as well to go out there and lead
our offense.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
What is something that just stuck out to you first
impressions of getting and hohm, what was that? What was
the first thing that stuck out to you? Just first
impressions of getting No Bear.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
You didn't even talk a lot at first.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
He kind of just read the room, and then when
you really get to know him, he's got He's feisty,
and he has a little bit of a humor, but
he's super chill, laid back, and the boys gravitated to
him as well.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
So it was a really good relationship.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
It's the biggest thing in the quarterback competition, letting the
room picks right and gravitating towards outside of Bear, who
is stuck out to you this fall camp. Offensively that
you like the highlight, ooh, that's.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
A good one.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Offensively. I was just talking to Carson Ryan. He's one
of our tight ends.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Love that dude.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
I actually paid him in high school back up. I'm
from Hawaii.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
So we flo out here and played Tim Few and
Starry Carson. We smacked him, but Carson as a dog,
and I knew he'd be playing at the second level
as well, and so when I came home from my
mission and I heard he was transferring here, I was like, oh, yeah,
that's a good asset that we're adding to our offense
as well as I mean, all of our quarterbacks are great,
(11:31):
and our receiving corps is top notch. Jojo Chase, Coody Parker.
So I don't know as you're asking me, and I
am so optimistic about our boys. I love him and
I hope I want to see them all eat and
so I just think they're the best. And so that's
just coming from a player on the team.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I was going to ask you about who the highlight offensely,
but you mentioned a bunch of guys, So we'll move
on personal goals that you like to accomplish this season.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
I just want to get in there and contribute, get
turned on tackles, be assignment sound, do whatever I can,
whether it's special teams or anywhere any phase on the field,
to get in there help us win games, because I
think our team has a potential to win a lot
of games.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Let's go off the field. What he's studying in school,
football doesn't mean a lot. Obviously, play at the next
level when football is done. What would you like to do?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I'm not too sure yet.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
I actually just got into the business school Experience design major,
so we'll see where that takes me. I'm kind of
just ready to learn and embrace being in the business
school and see wherever that takes me. And so I'm
just one foot at the time, one semester at the time.
It is kind of my model right now.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Hey, if you're in the business school, that's top notch
enor wall. A bunch of other players have been and graduated.
Taysom Mill I think graduating in finance. So that pipeline
a b a you football players in the business school
is going strong for sure. I know you said mentioned
in being with family. Outside of family, what activities do
you like to do?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Eat?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I love to eat and listen to music. And so
anytime opportunity off the field, me and the boys just
let's go to Koreean Barbecue or anywhere.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
We're trying to find some new spots. So it's kind
of hard in Provo.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
You know, they have every fast food chain and then
there's nothing like Oh that's only in Provo. And so eat,
listen to music, go on drives, and then just chill.
I have a lot of family around the pro area,
so we always hang out with each other.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
You've probably already been to Red Tacos, But if I
had to mention a place, Red Tacos is that's one
of my favorites. You can't go wrong when you have
a tacos.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
We'll finish up on these last two. You said music
you like music, hot take song to listen to right now?
And then what's just slept On Church? Him that people
should buy more and stocking.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
To slept On song. I don't know if a lot
of people will know.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
That's Okay, it's called It's the name of Thoughts of
You one Foundation.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Look it up on song cloud. Okay, it's a yeah Polynesian.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You guys got the slaps man.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Hey, I enjoyed listening to them when I drive here
in the morning, you know, just just to be chill,
don't be too anxious, just get ready for the day.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
And so that's my song that I that I think
is slept On. But what was the second question?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
The second one was what's an underrated church? Him that
people should buy more stocking to? It could be one
of the newer ones too.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
I'm a child's prayer kind of guy. We were at
the Hebrew camp and I played a little bit of
the yuk and so I just started showming that song
and we had the two parts, the guys and the
girls part, and then we all sing it together and
it was actually really good. So shout out to all
the boys at the campfire and Okeanu riderd and Muni
was there ten or wall. There was like twenty of
us and you could feel the spirit up there and
(14:33):
Hebrew Valley, that's for sure. So that's my song, I
think is sipt On Church song.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
How long you've been playing the yuke? That's a good
skill to have. I mean in Hawaii.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Everyone's good at playing an instrument or singing so and
I wasn't for a long time, so it hasn't been
very long.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
I'm not very good, but I know how to play
a few songs.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
So we can expect, you know, we won't see it,
but during the BYU devotional you'll play the yuk and
you'll sing. Probably at some point.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
It would take It would take so much to get
me to do that, but if everything aligns, very very
very small chance that that would happen, but maybe.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Who knows.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Any last messages for Kuger Nation, as I know, I'm
excited for the season and just thanks for all the support.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Come out because it would be a good one.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Hey, Kaufusi, everybody been a privilege. Gonna know you brother,
Thank you very much, appreciate you.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Ace is on the case.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Oh you stole what I was gonna say. I was
gonna say the safety were I was like, oh, Ace
is on the case. Bro, let's go and seek. I
love it. Uh, well, what you think, bro? He's very impressive.
I love that interview. Plays a little bit of a yuke,
very humble kid. He knows he can sing and he
can play the yuke. Yeah, he's a I'm glad that
(15:42):
I got to know who he was a little bit
off the field. The last name Ben is obviously no joke, right,
he knows what the pressures. That's why he came in
it to buy you. And then I asked him about
you know, the faith portion Kafusi families are you know, Uh,
we know who they are. He talked about his influence
of his parents, selfless right christ like attribute, just kind
of who he is as a person. Then on the field,
(16:02):
he read shirted last year he learned how, he said
to use his hands recognize the run from the past
because aertics system, you know, mimics somewhat of an NFL
style scheme to a degree in offense. Well, so he's
really improved a lot. You know, he's been able to
get in the backfield balling out of the scrimmers. This
is a guy that is going to see reps this year.
Ben don't know what those reps will look like, but
(16:24):
glad that we got the opportunity to get to know
him and who he is, why he committed to by you.
I'm excited to see him go play playing rover right
said that he's been playing the rover position. Sounds like
he's learned a bunch of positions there, but that's his
favorite one he's doing. He likes that he can be aggressive, violent,
just make place. He wants to make plays and highlight himself,
and when you're playing that rover position, it will allow
(16:45):
you to do more of such. So I'm excited to
see him. Know what, Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker will
be the ones, but Ace will be right behind him
running with the twos, and hopefully we can see him
are on special teams and other positions this year as well.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Yeah, keep an eye out for number eighteen. He's six four,
two thirty seven. So when you're talking about like the
Isaiah Glasger model, he looks very similar to Isaiah in
build right now and he runs like a gazelle. He's
a red shirt sophomore at a Chuckoo, Hawaii Cahukuo High School.
We know the legacy that comes from that particular high school.
(17:19):
They've produced high level talent for years now, for decades now,
and they continue to do that with Ace here.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
Shout out to.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Parents Victor and Moiqua Moniqua Mony Mony Queka Moniqueka.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
I think it's how you say it.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Calfusi, he served his mission, by the way, for the
Church Jesus Christ in a letter Saints to San Jose,
California and uh obviously the cousin of current BOI linebacker
Mica Kafusi and former BOI linebackers Isaiah and Jackson Calfusie
defensive lineman Bronson and Corbin Kafusi, as well a cousin
Amin Kawfusi plays linebacker at Arizona.
Speaker 5 (17:57):
By the way, loves to eat Korean Barbie.
Speaker 4 (17:59):
Who you mentioned that to you?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
That he also mentioned Viill like Vill's a cousin Billiolwi
Pooha Yeah, Mom, Yeah, So a lot of connections on
the scene and like see Korean barbecue.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yes, loves to play basketball. He's a man after the
heart of Ronald the three Man Weaver. He serves as
clerk and his local church congregation. Okay, future Bishop love
It three star prospect for twenty four to seven in
ESPN The Fan when he was in high school. Actually
defensive back by the way, play safety, oh work, taking
the conversion over the linebacker anyway.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
Similar to Isaiah.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Like I said, very similar to Isaiah was recruited by
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Speaker 5 (18:56):
We'll take a brief time out. We'll be back, though,
Please don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Lots to get you still on your Utah ESPN Radio
Network one oh three nine ninety eight point three ESPN
The Fan
I know the Cougars student athletes get a player profile
(00:03):
segment here on one oh three nine at ninety eight
three ESPN the.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Van Welcome back to Cougar Sports right here on one
o three nine and ninety three ESPN. The fan weron
with the three man weaver here getting into that four
fourth do excuse me of Cougar Sports at five o'clock hour.
You might be driving on your way home. You might
be listening on the ESPN the fan app. We appreciate
you wherever you're tuning in from. It's been a great
(00:30):
show this far. I've had a lot of content breaking down.
Just to recap a little bit. Bear Bachmeier is your
QB one, no doubt true freshman. First time a true
freshman's happened, and I think, if I'm correct, I saw it,
and I think Jerem Jordan put it out. I think
the first Asian American quarterback the BAU has had. I
think that's a little fun stat I'm always brought to
(00:50):
you by Banderwalth Banderwaldt. If you're looking for financial planning,
all we asked, did you get a free Q and
a no obligation to invest? This player profile segment going
to be brought to you by Dental Prosobutah dot com. Guys,
if you're looking for a new dentist, give dinnel pros
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(01:12):
give them a call today as well. And eight zero
one seven five to six zero three six zero. That's
eight zero one seven five six zero three six zero
at dental Proso Utah dot com. We're gonna get into
my interview Ace Kafuzi. It's a guy that's been balling out.
I think he read shirted last year. I think I
mentioned that in the interview. But the linebacker group, Isaiah Glasker,
Jack Kelly phenomenal. But who's behind that? Ephram Aciat has
(01:34):
made a move Ben, You and I discussed that as well,
But now this is an opportunity to learn who's gonna
be behind these guys? Jack and Isaiah not gonna be here.
So who is the future, Who's rising up? Who has
an opportunity to make some plays. It's a game of attrition.
Well one as Kafuzi, the last name that's right is
a standout. When you make plays, coaches will put you
on the field, no doubt. So let's tune in. Let's
(01:57):
hear from BYU linebacker as Kafusi. I interview from earlier
today Vancougar Sports here with a Skufusi as howse practiced.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Great, it's a little hot out here, but it's the
last day of fall camp, so we're just happy to
be out here.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Last day of fall camp. Are you installing the game
plan going forward for Portland State?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
That starts on Thursday, So we'll have a lyft tomorrow
kind of get our bodies right, and then full pats
Thursday install everything, get prepared.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Have you already seen a tape on Portland State? What
do you know about the team so far?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, we've watched a lot over the off seasons, but
our coaches have kind of wanted us to just be
in the moment I get too overwhelmed. They're tired of
watching the same thing over again, so we're gonna watch
it all together.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
And be on the same page.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Your name has come up, you know during this fall camp,
you've been balling out. We've seen you running with the ones,
the twos. How would you evaluate your fall camp this year?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I think a lot of like we were talking about earlier,
got a lot of opportunities and they come very rarely,
so you got to make the most out of them,
and I think I did. We had some scrimmages where
I was able to produce a lot more than I've
done before and learned a lot from the guys in
front of me.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
So I think I did pretty well.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
I know you guys don't hit the quarterback, but have
you been able to get any tackles for loss you know,
any sacks that you've been made? Note over? Any interceptions?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah this, I had one in the stadium in our
practice before our scrimmage, But in almost previous scrimmage I
had a few tackles for losses and some rushes.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Like you said, we can't get too.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Close, but close enough to where it's you know, you
would have been there if the ball before the ball
was throw.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
What is something that you know this year that you
would have known last year?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Something I wish I would have known. I think just
the defense as a whole. Coach Hill talks about being motivated.
When you have competence, when you know what you're doing,
you're able to flow and make plays. And I think
that's the biggest thing for me this year is I've
played all positions so within the linebacker room, and so
I'm able to just be instinctive just make plays when
(04:02):
I see something I can attack, rather than being proudlyss
just by analysis.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
What position do you like playing the most in the
linebacker room.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
I've been playing a rover a lot more now and
it's kind of to the boundary, but there's a lot
of opportunity to make plays in all of them. So
wherever I am able to be out there and play
and make places where I want to be.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
That last name obviously means something at BYU. What is
you know, the legacy of the Kufusi family. What does
that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It means a lot, It takes a lot, and it
comes with a lot. But there's actually three of us
on the team. There's Mica and o'rian and then my
cousin Viill. He's a Culfusie as well, but his mom
is a Culfusie and so we don't take it lightly,
but we're grateful for the pressure that it comes with
because it's made us who we are today.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Have any other former kufusis giving you any advice? Have
you been here at BYU?
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, they all live around here and I look up
to all of them and we reach out where our
family functions together. And I like it because a lot
of it's just how are you doing off the field,
because I think that correlates.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
To how we perform on the field as well. Definitely
a name a bau and I think you're living up
to the pressure. What skill set do you bring to
the linebacker room?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
I think a lot of height is what they're liking,
and then speed and experience from now on. It took
some time to get in the books and learn the defense,
but now that I do have that, I'm working on
everything else to make sure that I and the best
I can be.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
So there's no choice but to have me on the field.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
What does that do for you? Confidence wise? Knowing the
playbook now knowing you can go out there and make place.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Like I said earlier, it's just instinctive. I think in
that scrimmage, that's the first time I just whenever I
saw ball, let's go get ball and see ball.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Get more.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, just be violent and kind of nasty, and that's
what the coaches wanted. And so I think when I
know what I'm doing, I'm able to do that a
lot better.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Is do you like playing in J Hills defense because
it allows you to be so aggressive, so violent to
make plays?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Oh? Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
And I just trust all of them because you can
tell they've spent years in this defense and they know
the little nuances and when things are supposed to be
a certain way and hits supposed to hit certain gaps
and others. And so just being able to have someone
that you can ask questions to and know the how
to answer allows you to just go out there and
trust that everyone will.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Do their job too.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Preseason polls don't really matter. But when you see Jack Kelly,
Isaiah Glasker, guys who are potential NFL guys left off
in that preseason poll at the linebacker position, and knowing
the depth you guys have that, how does that feel
you guys?
Speaker 3 (06:25):
I mean you'd have to be dumb not to see
what they've done and what they can do. And that
means a lot to our group too. We look up
to them we respect them, We're grateful for all that
they do because they make a lot of sacrifices, and
so it just feels the fire and we all know
having them in our room, we all know the standard
and so we try our best to live up to
it and then raise it as well.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Talk about your relationship with Justin and how has he
been as a coach for you.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Oh, I've been blessed to have him.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
He brings out the violence and the intensity that a
linebacker room needs to have, as well as the fact
that he knows exactly what he's doing. He pushes us
to become the best that we need to be in
order for this defense to succeed. Because he doesn't take
the linebacker group lightly. We're supposed to kind of govern
everything everyone does, and so I'm grateful for him.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Why come to BYU? Play for BYU? Obviously, you know
what the linebacker room has meant. You look at guys
in the NFL, You look at CALVANOI, f at Warner,
guys that played here. Why commit to BYU and play?
Speaker 4 (07:25):
Like I said earlier, my family means everything to me.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
All of my cousins that I'll live around here and
are successful with their families as well, have given me
kind of a model that I want to have as well.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
And a big part of their success was coming to BYU.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And so I kind of want to follow that and
raise the standard as well for the future generations.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Outside of BYU is more. You know, they talk about faith,
They say faith, family, football. Amen, those are the three
you know words that you have to go by. What
has faith meant to you in your life? And how
has that played a role here at b YU spent everything?
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I served a mission in the California San Jose Mission
changed my life for the better. I think about it
a lot, those experiences and my faith keeps them grounded,
gives me reason purpose, It allows me to look forward
and have hope.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
And the opportunity to change and become a better man.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
And then football is just another opportunity to do something
that I love and have fun with a lot of
the brothers that meant that will lost, those relationships will
last forever.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
In your opinion, why do you think that's been so contagious?
Now we're in a different state of college football, the
landscape within il Why do you think that is sticking true? Now?
This more faith? You know, model on top of everything else.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Money can't buy happiness and experiences that will change your life,
as well as the fact that.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
You're gonna make money in your life sometime.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
But if you're not becoming someone that you want to be,
you'll be left with a lot of monetary things and
a lot of opportunity to look back and wish that
you were someone else. And so I think when you
put God first to teach scriptures, teach that everything falls
into place.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
And a lot of people are starting to recommend.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Is that now you've mentioned a little bit, but football
means so much. But who does a skufus? You want
to become?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Uh man, I want to become just like my pops
he serves and my mom as well. It was just
her birthday, so shout out.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
To my mom.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Just someone who is selfless, strives to develop crest like
attributes and then's just optimistic, very joyful because life short
and so why not just be good and do good?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Sounds like you your parents have been a big influence
in your life.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Absolutely, they're everything to me.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Oh what did you learn from last season that you
want to build on going into this season?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
So I actually retro did last season and so the
biggest thing for me was I was itching to get
on the field and that has driven my off season
and it's allowed me to go up against our offense
last year every single day, so you learn how to
use my hands. Although we were scouting different defenses, just
recognizing when it's a run versus a past, when we
have a lot.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Of fakes because our offense is good at scheming things up.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Thinking of the offense. Bear Bachmeyer, Aaron Roddick, just the
name is going to be the starting quarterback, first time,
a true freshman at BO. He's been named. Just what
have you seen from Baron? What has it been like
for you going up against him?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Oh, he's tough, he's tough, he's young, but that brings
a lot of energy, enthusiasm and yeah, just a lot
of good And I've actually off the field. We went
to that camp in Hebrew. Got'll know him a lot more.
It's just a chill guy and so it's someone that
I trust as well to go out there and lead
our offense.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
What is something that just stuck out to you first
impressions of getting and hohm, what was that? What was
the first thing that stuck out to you? Just first
impressions of getting No Bear.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
You didn't even talk a lot at first.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
He kind of just read the room, and then when
you really get to know him, he's got He's feisty,
and he has a little bit of a humor, but
he's super chill, laid back, and the boys gravitated to
him as well.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
So it was a really good relationship.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
It's the biggest thing in the quarterback competition, letting the
room picks right and gravitating towards outside of Bear, who
is stuck out to you this fall camp. Offensively that
you like the highlight, ooh, that's.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
A good one.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Offensively. I was just talking to Carson Ryan. He's one
of our tight ends.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Love that dude.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
I actually paid him in high school back up. I'm
from Hawaii.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
So we flo out here and played Tim Few and
Starry Carson. We smacked him, but Carson as a dog,
and I knew he'd be playing at the second level
as well, and so when I came home from my
mission and I heard he was transferring here, I was like, oh, yeah,
that's a good asset that we're adding to our offense
as well as I mean, all of our quarterbacks are great,
(11:31):
and our receiving corps is top notch. Jojo Chase, Coody Parker.
So I don't know as you're asking me, and I
am so optimistic about our boys. I love him and
I hope I want to see them all eat and
so I just think they're the best. And so that's
just coming from a player on the team.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I was going to ask you about who the highlight offensely,
but you mentioned a bunch of guys, So we'll move
on personal goals that you like to accomplish this season.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
I just want to get in there and contribute, get
turned on tackles, be assignment sound, do whatever I can,
whether it's special teams or anywhere any phase on the field,
to get in there help us win games, because I
think our team has a potential to win a lot
of games.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Let's go off the field. What he's studying in school,
football doesn't mean a lot. Obviously, play at the next
level when football is done. What would you like to do?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I'm not too sure yet.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
I actually just got into the business school Experience design major,
so we'll see where that takes me. I'm kind of
just ready to learn and embrace being in the business
school and see wherever that takes me. And so I'm
just one foot at the time, one semester at the time.
It is kind of my model right now.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Hey, if you're in the business school, that's top notch
enor wall. A bunch of other players have been and graduated.
Taysom Mill I think graduating in finance. So that pipeline
a b a you football players in the business school
is going strong for sure. I know you said mentioned
in being with family. Outside of family, what activities do
you like to do?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Eat?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I love to eat and listen to music. And so
anytime opportunity off the field, me and the boys just
let's go to Koreean Barbecue or anywhere.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
We're trying to find some new spots. So it's kind
of hard in Provo.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
You know, they have every fast food chain and then
there's nothing like Oh that's only in Provo. And so eat,
listen to music, go on drives, and then just chill.
I have a lot of family around the pro area,
so we always hang out with each other.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
You've probably already been to Red Tacos, But if I
had to mention a place, Red Tacos is that's one
of my favorites. You can't go wrong when you have
a tacos.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
We'll finish up on these last two. You said music
you like music, hot take song to listen to right now?
And then what's just slept On Church? Him that people
should buy more and stocking.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
To slept On song. I don't know if a lot
of people will know.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
That's Okay, it's called It's the name of Thoughts of
You one Foundation.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Look it up on song cloud. Okay, it's a yeah Polynesian.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You guys got the slaps man.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Hey, I enjoyed listening to them when I drive here
in the morning, you know, just just to be chill,
don't be too anxious, just get ready for the day.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
And so that's my song that I that I think
is slept On. But what was the second question?
Speaker 2 (14:04):
The second one was what's an underrated church? Him that
people should buy more stocking to? It could be one
of the newer ones too.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
I'm a child's prayer kind of guy. We were at
the Hebrew camp and I played a little bit of
the yuk and so I just started showming that song
and we had the two parts, the guys and the
girls part, and then we all sing it together and
it was actually really good. So shout out to all
the boys at the campfire and Okeanu riderd and Muni
was there ten or wall. There was like twenty of
us and you could feel the spirit up there and
(14:33):
Hebrew Valley, that's for sure. So that's my song, I
think is sipt On Church song.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
How long you've been playing the yuke? That's a good
skill to have. I mean in Hawaii.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Everyone's good at playing an instrument or singing so and
I wasn't for a long time, so it hasn't been
very long.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
I'm not very good, but I know how to play
a few songs.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
So we can expect, you know, we won't see it,
but during the BYU devotional you'll play the yuk and
you'll sing. Probably at some point.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
It would take It would take so much to get
me to do that, but if everything aligns, very very
very small chance that that would happen, but maybe.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Who knows.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Any last messages for Kuger Nation, as I know, I'm
excited for the season and just thanks for all the support.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Come out because it would be a good one.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Hey, Kaufusi, everybody been a privilege. Gonna know you brother,
Thank you very much, appreciate you.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Ace is on the case.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Oh you stole what I was gonna say. I was
gonna say the safety were I was like, oh, Ace
is on the case. Bro, let's go and seek. I
love it. Uh, well, what you think, bro? He's very impressive.
I love that interview. Plays a little bit of a yuke,
very humble kid. He knows he can sing and he
can play the yuke. Yeah, he's a I'm glad that
(15:42):
I got to know who he was a little bit
off the field. The last name Ben is obviously no joke, right,
he knows what the pressures. That's why he came in
it to buy you. And then I asked him about
you know, the faith portion Kafusi families are you know, Uh,
we know who they are. He talked about his influence
of his parents, selfless right christ like attribute, just kind
of who he is as a person. Then on the field,
(16:02):
he read shirted last year he learned how, he said
to use his hands recognize the run from the past
because aertics system, you know, mimics somewhat of an NFL
style scheme to a degree in offense. Well, so he's
really improved a lot. You know, he's been able to
get in the backfield balling out of the scrimmers. This
is a guy that is going to see reps this year.
Ben don't know what those reps will look like, but
(16:24):
glad that we got the opportunity to get to know
him and who he is, why he committed to by you.
I'm excited to see him go play playing rover right
said that he's been playing the rover position. Sounds like
he's learned a bunch of positions there, but that's his
favorite one he's doing. He likes that he can be aggressive, violent,
just make place. He wants to make plays and highlight himself,
and when you're playing that rover position, it will allow
(16:45):
you to do more of such. So I'm excited to
see him. Know what, Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker will
be the ones, but Ace will be right behind him
running with the twos, and hopefully we can see him
are on special teams and other positions this year as well.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Yeah, keep an eye out for number eighteen. He's six four,
two thirty seven. So when you're talking about like the
Isaiah Glasger model, he looks very similar to Isaiah in
build right now and he runs like a gazelle. He's
a red shirt sophomore at a Chuckoo, Hawaii Cahukuo High School.
We know the legacy that comes from that particular high school.
(17:19):
They've produced high level talent for years now, for decades now,
and they continue to do that with Ace here.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
Shout out to.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Parents Victor and Moiqua Moniqua Mony Mony Queka Moniqueka.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
I think it's how you say it.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Calfusi, he served his mission, by the way, for the
Church Jesus Christ in a letter Saints to San Jose,
California and uh obviously the cousin of current BOI linebacker
Mica Kafusi and former BOI linebackers Isaiah and Jackson Calfusie
defensive lineman Bronson and Corbin Kafusi, as well a cousin
Amin Kawfusi plays linebacker at Arizona.
Speaker 5 (17:57):
By the way, loves to eat Korean Barbie.
Speaker 4 (17:59):
Who you mentioned that to you?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
That he also mentioned Viill like Vill's a cousin Billiolwi
Pooha Yeah, Mom, Yeah, So a lot of connections on
the scene and like see Korean barbecue.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Yes, loves to play basketball. He's a man after the
heart of Ronald the three Man Weaver. He serves as
clerk and his local church congregation. Okay, future Bishop love
It three star prospect for twenty four to seven in
ESPN The Fan when he was in high school. Actually
defensive back by the way, play safety, oh work, taking
the conversion over the linebacker anyway.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
Similar to Isaiah.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Like I said, very similar to Isaiah was recruited by
Utah Stanford, USLA USC and Utah State. That was a
nice little player profile segment brought to you by Dental
Pros of Utah American Fork. If you're looking to get
the right dental care, the best dental care, hit up
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Speaker 5 (18:46):
Boba Medics is all is what it's all about.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
Whether you've been told you need a filling your ground,
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Speaker 5 (18:56):
We'll take a brief time out. We'll be back, though,
Please don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Lots to get you still on your Utah ESPN Radio
Network one oh three nine ninety eight point three ESPN
The Fan
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