BYU running back Michael Alisa (42) is tackled by Hawaii defenders in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Eugene Tanner, AP
Michael Alisa came into the 2012 football season as BYU's primary ball carrier. There was high hope for Alisa, as he showed flashes of a former BYU running back Harvey Unga last season.
Alisa played football at Timpview High School in Provo, where he earned second-team All-State honors and helped the Thunderbirds to an undefeated season and the 4A state championship in 2006.
Alisa also played linebacker for the T-birds, and early in his Cougar career, it looked like that would be his college position. As a freshman he played mostly on specal teams, recording 11 tackles.
But he moved to the Cougar offense as a sophomore, and by the end of the season Alisa was the starting running back. He tallied 455 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in 2011 and entered 2012 as the top back on the BYU depth chart.
Unfortunately, Alisa suffered a season-ending arm injury in BYU's victory over Hawaii earlier this season.
Alisa's injury is a setback in his young career. However, Alisa is accustomed to adversity. Check out this BYUtv Sports video and learn about Alisa's journey from a clumsy youth athlete to the gridiron at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Video: The story of BYU running back Michael Alisa
The journey of BYU running back Michael Alisa to the college gridiron.
Contact Gregory Rose at grose@deseretdigital.com or follow him on Twitter at @GRoseDDM.
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Gosh thats neat.
Great story about an exceptional young man! Btw, his father looked very familiar to someone I knew from years past named Mataumu Toelupe. He was single and unmarried at the time. I wonder if he's the same guy? He may have changed his last More..
Alisa, thanks for your service. The break was unfortunate for you, but the silver lining was that Bronco was forced to play Williams. He is a vastly superior back compared to Alisa. I look to Alisa to fill the Brian Kariya role, short 3rd downs. More..