Another Kaufusi BYU-bound

PROVO — Petelo' Kaufusi came to America from the Tongan Islands a month before his wife and kids in the early '70s. He hoped and dreamed that somehow, some way his children would get a college education.

A humble landscaper, Petelo' had no idea how football would end up being the big ticket when his two oldest sons, Steve and Rich at South High, started it all by playing at Dixie College before transferring to BYU on full-ride scholarships.

Four other sons of Petelo' Kaufusi played at Utah.

Now, another generation of Kaufusis will take advantage of football.

Bronson Kaufusi, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound sophomore defensive end at 4A state champion Timpview, and son of BYU defensive coordinator Steve Kaufusi, announced Tuesday night he'd accepted an offer to play for the Cougars. Another prep prospect, Bingham High linebacker and fullback Iona Prichard, also committed to BYU on Tuesday.

Bronson, whom BYU is looking at as tight end, is the first BYU recruit from the class of 2010 to publicly pledge to sign. The 16-year-old sophomore, who leads Timpview in sacks this season, received an offer from BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall last week.

"I'm excited. I was both surprised and expected it," said Bronson, who got BYU coaches' attention when he attended BYU's summer camp and outperformed many older players. "I was working with the defensive guys at camp," said Steve.

"But (offensive coordinator) Robert Anae came in and told Bronco Mendenhall he wanted to hear more about Bronson."

"He's got a motor in him," said Timpview coach Louis Wong. "He's ahead of other kids because of his father and his uncles and what they've helped him with. I'd compare him to Matt Reynolds (current BYU redshirt freshman lineman) at this stage of his high school career at Timpview.

"We haven't run him at tight end in games — he plays defensive end, and he's a good one."

The Kaufusi name is famous in Utah football circles. Steve and Rich played at BYU but four other Kaufusi brothers, Jeff, Jason, Doug and Henry, attended Utah. On Friday, Bronson's Thunderbirds will play Cottonwood and he'll be going up against at least five first cousins, including the son of Henry.

Petelo' Kaufusi and his wife raised eight children, plus two uncles, Pasa and Masa. All six of the Kaufusi sons, plus Pasa (Utah), earned major college scholarships.