USC redshirt freshman inside linebacker Taylor Katoa is putting his Trojan playing career on a waiting list. The former Layton High (Utah) standout announced on Wednesday that he is leaving the team for a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, per Katoa’s Twitter account.
The 6-foot-2 Katoa implied before he arrived at USC that he was committed to pursuing a religious mission despite the fact that he was enrolling at one of the nation’s premiere football programs.
Katoa has yet to play a snap for the Trojans. His 2017 campaign was derailed by a torn ACL injury that he suffered in spring pratice last year and was making progress towards a return for this season.