The BYU Cougars kick off the 2025 season in 30 days against Portland State. As we continue counting down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 30 - sophomore running back Sione Moa - by providing three interesting, fun facts:
Fun fact No. 1 - We will always have the Kansas State touchdown
BYU's beatdown of No. 13 Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium last year was among the most electric 60 minutes of football the Cougars have recently played. Sione Moa provided one of the game's most amazing moments when he broke about seven tackles en route to rumbling for a 21-yard touchdown. BYU fans were absolutely rocking after the freshman's incredible run.
Fun fact No. 2 - He started at BYU as a walk-on
While BYU has signed a host of four-star and near four-star talents in recent recruiting cycles, Sione Moa wasn't one of them. After starring at Timpview High School he wasn't heavily recruited and originally committed to Navy. But after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he flipped his commitment to BYU as a walk-on before earning a scholarship.
Despite being a walk-on freshman last year, Moa's talent pushed him up the Cougars depth chart. He broke out against Kansas State in helping lead 3-0 BYU to a 4-0 record in convincing fashion. Against the Wildcats he had 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown plus three receptions for 17 more yards. Injuries limited him for the rest of the season, but this year he could have a monster campaign behind LJ Martin in an offense that will likely rely heavily on the run game.
Fun fact No. 3 - He's a returned missionary
As noted above, the 5-foot-10, 220-pound bulldozer served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His assignment was to San Bernadino, California.