Manase Tonga
Running Back 11
Ht/Wt
6'
0"
|
238 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
San Mateo, 
California
Last School
Aragon High School
Roster Years
2005-2009


Career Summary

Manase Tonga came to BYU as the MVP from Aragon High School in California. As a four-time letterman, Tonga proved to be a valuable contributor to BYU's offense in the 47 games he played. He caught 85 receptions for 799 yards and was credited with two receptions or more in 24 games during his career. Tonga also recorded 678 rushing yards as a Cougar and had a career-long 19-yard carry as a sophomore. With 24 total touchdowns, Tonga helped BYU to a top-25 national ranking in total offense all four seasons. See the season summary tabs below and the stats tabs for more details. 

Professional

Signed free agent deal with the Oakland Raiders in 2010

Personal

  • Born in San Mateo, Calif.
  • Parents are Latiume and Seneti Tonga
  • Signed with Utah before serving a Church mission
  • Served a Church mission in San Pedro, Honduras
  • Married to Lolohea Rogers
  • Son Semisi and daughter Leila
  • Eagle Scout
  • Recruited by Utah, Montana and Cal.

Before BYU

  • Three-year letterwinner at Aragon High School in San Mateo, Calif.
  • Honor roll student
  • Selected team captain
  • Named Most Valuable Player
  • Had his jersey retired
  • Holds the record from most yards in a game with 365, most yards in a season with 1,886, touchdowns with 25 and receiving touchdowns in a game with 3
  • First-team all-county and all-league selection
  • Also lettered in basketball and track

Stats

Rushing
YEAR   GP    ATT    YDS  AVG   TD   LONG  
2005   10      6     28  4.7    0   10
2006   13     44    197  4.5    4   19     
2007   12     88    305  3.5    8   17  
2009   12     40    166  3.7    4   18   
TOTAL  47    178    696  3.9   16   19 
CAREER HIGHS
CARRIES: 13 (AT UNM; SEPT. 29, 2007)
YARDS: 54 (AT UNM; SEPT. 29, 2007)
TD: 2 (AT UNM; SEPT. 29, 2007)
LONG: 19 (AT BOSTON COLLEGE; SEPT. 16, 2006)
Receiving
YEAR   REC   YDS   AVG   TD   LONG
2005     5    50  10.0   0      20
2006    23   230  10.0   2      22
2007    27   248   9.2   0      25
2009    30   271   9.0   4      24 
TOTAL   85   799   9.4   6      25
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2005

  • Earned letterman honors as a freshman
  • Saw action in 10 games of the season
  • Registered carries for 28 yards
  • Averaged 4.7 yards per carry
  • Averaged 2.8 rushing yards per game
  • Longest carry was 10 yards against UNLV
  • Ran three times for 20 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards against the Rebels
  • Credited with five receptions for 50 yards on the season
  • Averaged 10.0 yards per reception
  • Averaged 5.0 receiving yards per game
  • Had one assisted tackle on the season
Sophmore Year 2006

  • Earned letterman honors
  • Saw action in all 13 games during the season
  • Credited with 44 carries for 197 yards
  • Had four touchdowns on the season
  • Credited with 23 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns
  • Had a season-high seven carries against Air Force
  • Had a season-best 47 yards, including a 19-yard carry against Boston College
  • Had a season-high four receptions for 46 yards against the Eagles
  • Had four receptions for 52 yards in the Cougars' 38-8 victory over Oregon in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl
Junior Year 2007

  • Earned letterman honors
  • Saw action in 12 games for the Cougars
  • Credited with 88 carries for 305 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry
  • Credited with 8 touchdowns
  • Also credited with 27 receptions for 248 yards
  • Posted a season-high 13 carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars' victory over New Mexico
Senior Year 2009

  • Earned letterman honors as a senior
  • Saw action in 12 games, including 11 starts
  • Gained 166 yards on 40 rush attempts, averaging 3.7 yards per carry
  • Recorded 271 yard receiving on 30 receptions
  • Totaled eight touchdowns, four on the ground and four through the air
  • Carried out the team flag prior to the UNLV game
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 2008

  • Sat out the 2008 season due to academics
Medical Redshirt Year 2008

Sat out the 2008 season due to academics.