Utah State has received a verbal commitment from Woods Cross High School (UT) outside linebacker Viliami Tapa’atoutai. Tapa’atoutai is 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and will join the Aggies in June for the 2026 season.
Tapa’atoutai was a terror on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats this season, totaling 48 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Offensively, he toted the rock 262 times for 1,493 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 3 passes for 17 yards and another touchdown.
Tapa’atoutai is currently not rated by any of the national recruiting services. He chose the Aggies over offers from Air Force, Idaho State, Utah Tech, and Weber State.
Tapa’atoutai becomes the fourteenth commitment for the Aggies recruiting class of 2026, joining Canyon High (TX) running back Jackson Regan, Episcopal High (VA) defensive tackle Curtis “Tiki” Bell, Mountain View High (AZ) quarterback Brady Goodman, Thunder Ridge High (CO) tight end Preston McDaniel, Grandview High (CO) linebacker Brody Flores, Katy High (TX) wide receiver Cade McCall, Ridgeline High (UT) offensive lineman Easton Hammond, and Bingham High (UT) offensive lineman Lucas Neidig, Green Canyon High (UT) offensive lineman Like Baker, Clovis East High (CA) cornerback O’Shea Webb, and North Shore High (TX) quarterback Kaleb Maryland, Rancho Cotate High (CA) inside linebacker John McClellan, and Lehi High (UT) offensive lineman Matekitonga Havea.