Former ASU offensive lineman Sione Veikoso who transferred before the 2022 season to BYU has passed away. Learn more about his passing and Sione Veikoso cause of death in detail.
What happened to Sione Veikoso?
BYU Football club announced the passing news of a beloved player Sione Veikoso on their official Twitter page, the statement reads,
On behalf of the entire BYU Football family, our thoughts and prayers are with Sione’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time. Rest in Love Sione. God be with you till we meet again.
On behalf of the entire BYU Football family, our thoughts and prayers are with Sione's family and friends during this extremely difficult time.
Rest in Love Sione. God be with you till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Bn0oW4kylY
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 31, 2022
Who was Sione Veikoso?
Before deciding to attend Oregon State, Veikoso was first pursued by the Cougars as a high school recruit in the 2018 class.
Additionally, he had competitive offers from Washington State and Arizona State. Veikoso graduated from Kailua High School in Kailu, Hawaii, and then headed to Brazil to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The COVID-19 outbreak forced him to complete his assignment in Oregon.
Veikoso switched his commitment and joined Arizona State soon after getting back from his mission. In January 2021, he began his studies at Arizona State. Veikoso played for the Sun Devils against UNLV in one game last year, keeping his red shirt. As a result, he is immediately able to play this season and has four years of eligibility left.
In 2021, Veikoso will join an offensive line that is loaded with ability. He will boost BYU’s depth right away, but more crucially, he will still be eligible for many more seasons by the time the team loses some starters to graduation.
When Veikoso returned from his mission, he changed his pledge and enrolled at Arizona State. He started his studies at Arizona State in January 2021. Veikoso kept his redshirt last season and participated in one game for the Sun Devils against UNLV. He is hence eligible to play this season and has four more years of eligibility remaining.
Veikoso will be a part of an offensive line that is stacked with talent in 2021. Even more importantly, he will still be eligible for several more seasons by the time the club loses some starters to graduation, which will immediately increase BYU’s depth.
In the recruiting cycle for 2022, Veikoso is the fifth Power Five transfer to pledge to BYU. He joins defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally, running back Christopher Brooks (Cal), fullback/tight end Houston Heimuli (Stanford), and offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (both from Oregon) (Vanderbilt).
From Tempe to Provo
Veikoso, a 2018 prospect who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 325 pounds, was scouted by Kalani Sitake’s BYU staff right out of high school. He made his initial Oregon State commitment while still a two-star prospect from Kailua, Hawaii.
Veikoso served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after signing with the Beavers. After completing his task, he switched from the Beavers to the Sun Devils.
Veikoso kept his redshirt year last season while playing in just one game for ASU. He will have four years to play for the Cougars once he gets at BYU. Chris Karpman, an ASU Insider from 247Sports, referred to Veikoso as a “darkhorse prospect” to start at offensive tackle for the Sun Devils in 2022 during Arizona State’s spring workouts earlier this year.
BYU keeps developing a talented O-Line room
Following spring workouts, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick believes the BYU offensive line room is “10 deep” and “Big 12 ready,” and Veikoso joins them. Blake Freeland, a left tackle, is the group’s captain. Freeland has been projected as a potential first-round pick in certain NFL mock draughts for 2023.
At left guard, the Cougars have veteran Clark Barrington, who may be selected again in the NFL draught the following year. Veikoso is the second offensive line commit and the fifth commitment BYU has received during the 2022 cycle out of the transfer portal.
Kingsley Suamataia, a former five-star prospect, has joined him after transferring from Oregon. For BYU in 2022, Suamataia is anticipated to start at right tackle.
Other transfer commits from BYU include cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally from Vanderbilt, Stanford fullback Houston Heimuli, and Cal running back Christopher Brooks.
Sione Veikoso cause of death
BYU Athletics revealed late Friday night that Sione Veikoso, a 6-foot-7, a 305-pound offensive lineman who appeared in one game in 2022, passed away unexpectedly over the holiday break.
Sione Veikoso, a former ASU offensive lineman who transferred to BYU before the 2022 season, passed away suddenly. It was revealed that he passed away while performing construction work over his winter break. Please remember him and his family in your prayers tonight. ‘Our deepest condolences go out to Sione Veikoso’s family and friends
Tributes to Sione Veikoso
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe also expressed his condolences to Veikoso’s family.
“The BYU football family mourns the passing of our dear teammate and fellow Cougar, Sione Veikoso,” Holmoe tweeted. “May his family and friends feel our love and faith at this most sacred and difficult time? Peace be with you now and forever, Sione.”
Jeff Hansen
My heart hurts for Sione Veikoso’s family, including his football family. Every teammate and coach I ever spoke with about Veikoso raved about him. Especially heartbroken for the BYU coaches with ties back to Virginia who is still mourning the loss of players this year.
Daily Universe Sports
Absolutely heartbreaking. BYU offensive lineman Sione Veikoso has passed away. Our deepest condolences go to Sione’s family and loved ones at this time
Jenna Jardine
Too many healthy young people pass away suddenly. So sad. Prayers for his family and those that knew him. RIP
The BYU Football Family mourns the passing of our dear teammate and fellow Cougar, Sione Veikoso. May his family and friends feel our love and faith at this most sacred and difficult time. Peace be with you now and forever Sione. https://t.co/mcLuYjlf6M
— Tom Holmoe (@TomHolmoe) December 31, 2022
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.