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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > March > 23 > Entry
Bengals enamored with BYU fullback
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Minnesota Vikings restricted free-agent fullback Naufahu Tahi to a one year offer sheet on Friday, but could have a backup plan should the Vikings decide to match their offer.
BYU running back/fullback Fui Vakapuna is scheduled to visit the Bengals a week before the draft. Get this, Vakapuna is the cousin of Tahi and both could end up wearing tiger stripes if the stars align right.
The 5-foot-11, 244-pound Vakapuna opened some eyes at the school’s pro day March 11. He ran a 4.68 in the 40-yard dash; posted a 34-inch vertical and knocked out 29 reps on the bench press. Scouts were very impressed with his workout.
Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson was in attendance at the pro day and worked with Vakapuna exclusively on some individual drills afterwards. The way I hear it, Coach Anderson was blown away by the fullback’s performance.
Vakapuna rushed 263 yards and three touchdowns this past season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry while toting the rock for the BYU Cougars. He’s a bruising runner with good explosion and power - ideal for short-yard situations. He has all the physical attributes to contribute as a running back, fullback and special teamer.
Vakapuna will need to continue to improve on his blocking skills at the next level. He spent a lot of time in his career flip flopping from running back to fullback in BYU’s offense. However, Vakapuna did spend his entire senior campaign playing fullback and excelled. He is now appearing on a number of team’s radar.
Vakapuna said that he is excited about his trip to Cincinnati and would love to play with his cousin Tahi and learn more about the game from him.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
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By Hank
March 24, 2009 8:03 AM | Link to this
Thanks Big C for keeping us in the loop on who the Bengals have interest in. Keep it comin’! Will you be doing a mock draft soon? Also, should the Bengals go after a tight end in the draft?
By Roy
March 24, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
Great Work Big C! I always look forward to reading your stuff. Especially in regards to Bengals. We want more….keep them comin…
By Doug
March 24, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
Thanks Big C! Tahi would be an excellent pick up and fill a need. Keep up the good work.
By Doug
March 24, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
Thanks Big C! Tahi would certainly be an upgrade over what they have. Keep up the good work.
By SomeoneWhoKnows
March 24, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
Yeah,we love your stuff Big C! But what person in their right mind turns down a job to work for ESPN to stay at the Dayton Daily News? Put that on your mock draft!
By Barking bulldog
March 24, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
False Excitment! Who cares about the Bengals - until Mikey Boy leaves the Bengals will be nothing more than the dissapointing losers they are every year. Mike’s history can not tell a lie. How do you spell loser? M-i-k-e B-r-o-w-n
By Know It All
March 24, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
In your right mind or not—Big C you’re great and a wonderful asset to the Dayton Daily News! They should kiss the ground you walk on…and the words you write that graces their paper! Tru-dat
By brunnegd
March 24, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Fullbacks? What is Brown smoking? Yes, a good fullback is essential, but the stripes need linemen.
By Big Hoe
March 24, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
Who ever said Big C was ever in his right mind. He does think Peyton Manning is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
By Big C
March 24, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this
LOL! Manning hater!
By Tim
March 24, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
One thing I know about Big C is he watches film on all the prospects. Who cares about what job decision he’s made. Let’s talk football!
By flipper
March 24, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this
Fui Vakapuna, Naufahu Tahi, Ocho Cinco, Housmanzadah, Rikki Tikki Tavi names you can really identify with, right??????
By Bryan
March 25, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Is the 40 time you report correct? Some other sources claim he ran a 4.83 and a 4.84 at the BYU pro day.
By Big
March 25, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
Correct by my sources!
By BYUMATT
March 25, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this
Hey, Bengal fans, you need some good pub. So not only do you possibly get two great football players, but you all get TWO GREAT MEN OFF THE FIELD! No ISSUES!!
By G-Rat
March 26, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this
Fui no issues, Tahi still a chance. Lets not forget that he got a DUI right after he got back from his mission, and he is drinking, and cheated on his wife so she left him…
By Rat Killa
March 26, 2009 4:04 AM | Link to this
Hey G-Rat, this isn’t BYU anymore. So drinking and cheating on your wife aren’t ‘issues’ in the NFL. Since these actions is ‘crossing the line’ for Tahi, he’s not likely to go any further because his ‘values’ alarm is already setting his conscience into a tizzy.
By stanthecougar man
March 26, 2009 7:04 AM | Link to this
please up date us on John Becks spring ball on the Miami team and what his future might be and do you think the cougars DBs will ever learn to close on the ball instead of being 10 yards off thier man?
By AB in SC
March 26, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
Hi, my name is Stan and I’m lost on the internet!
By Cougar Fan
March 26, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
The field @ BYU is slightly down hill so they tend to adjust 40 yd dash times so he may have ran the time reported and the other time is an adjusted one.
By CougarBlue
March 26, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this
That’s just not true. The 40s were time inside the BYU indoor practice facility, which is top of the line. I’ve used the facility several times, and the ground is completely level.
By Cousin Mike
March 28, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
Cousin is a funny word in poly language. All it means is friend. So basically these two are friends. Polys always call each other cousin.