SALT LAKE CITY — BYU running back Lopini Katoa showed flashes of promise during his redshirt freshman season last year, and he heads into 2019 as a strong candidate to start at the position.
While limited at times by injury, Katoa rushed for 423 yards and eight touchdowns on a 5.6 yards-per-carry average while adding 20 receptions for 114 yards and another score.
Pro Football Focus also showed just how effective the sophomore is against a stacked box.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Katoa earned PFF’s third-best rush grade vs. eight-plus man boxes (84.0) nationally among returning FBS running backs.