BYU football announces newcomers and returned missionaries

PROVO, Utah – BYU football added 10 players to the program with the start of the 2017 winter semester, including transfers Wayne Tei-Kirby and Austin Lee along with newcomers, Ula Tolutau, A.J. Lolohea and Joe Tukuafu.

In addition to transfers and new additions, four returned missionaries that previously signed with BYU before serving joined the program. Keanu Saleapaga also joined the team after signing as part of the 2016 class.

Wayne Tei-Kirby, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder from Pocatello, Idaho, played in nine games as a true freshman for the Oregon Ducks in 2016. He posted 11 total tackles, including four solo stops and had two pass breakups. He also recovered a fumble against Utah in Oregon’s 30-28 upset of the Utes in Salt Lake City.

Coming out of Highland High School, Tei-Kirby was rated by ESPN.com as the top prospect in the state in addition to the best defensive lineman out of Idaho by Scout. He was a two-time All-Idaho selection and had 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles as a senior. He was named the defensive line MVP at the All-Poly football camp prior to his senior year. During his junior season, Tei-Kirby posted 49 tackles and four sacks while helping the Rams to an unbeaten season and 5A state title.

Defensive back Austin Lee spent the 2015 season on Utah’s roster, playing seven games with four tackles on special teams as a freshman after serving an LDS mission to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Salt Lake Community College during the 2016 football season. Lee, 6-foot and 202 pounds, played high school ball at Alta High School in Sandy and was a two-time first-team all-state selection.

Ula Tolutau committed to Wisconsin in 2014 and then served a mission to Bakersfield, California. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound running back ran wild over the state of Utah at East High School in 2013. Tolutau finished the season with 2,465 yards, 31 touchdowns earned the title of Deseret News Mr. Football as the best player in the state after his senior campaign. In addition to Wisconsin, Tolutau was also recruited by Utah, Oregon State, Utah State and Hawaii.

A.J. Lolohea recently returned from an LDS mission to Tonga. A 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, Lolohea played at West High School in Salt Lake City. He played both defensive line and linebacker in high school along with rugby and tennis.

Joe Tukuafu, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound tight end,was a two-way athlete for East High School, gaining over 700 receiving yards and catching eight touchdowns while adding 47 tackles and 6.5 sacks as the Leopards made it to the 4A state championship game. Tukuafu recently returned from an LDS mission in Argentina and was also recruited by Utah and Utah State.

Keanu Saleapaga was a three-star recruit and the No. 9 defensive end in California by Scout when he signed with BYU as part of its 2016 class. He helped La Mirada High School to the division III-AA state championship with a 13-3 record, notching seven sacks in 2015. He was also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Memphis, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, USC and Texas Tech.

BYU also returns four players for the winter semester that are back from LDS missions including defensive lineman Earl Mariner, defensive lineman Teancum Fuga, defensive back Garrett England and tight end Matt Bushman.