SALT LAKE CITY — As a former walk-on at Utah, Jason Fanaika came in every day to practice as a member of the scout team and proved his worth to the program. But some off-the-field hardships and ability to persevere helped him earn a scholarship and a starting role at Utah.
Fanaika came out of Pleasant Grove High School as a Utah State commit, looking to earn a role as a linebacker under then-head coach Gary Andersen. Fanaika played through the summer and fall camp before expecting to serve an LDS mission.
However, Fanaika later returned to Utah State after the team's devastating loss at Auburn in Chuckie Keeton's coming out game as a freshman.