Arizona Football: Senior leader Sani Fuimaono is driven to succeed

During Pac-12 Football Media days last week, Arizona Football defensive tackle Sani Fuimaono was selected to speak to the media about himself and the team.

Pac-12 Football Media days weren’t complete without senior standout defensive lineman Sani Fuimaono who spoke about his teammates, his passion for football and his drive to get on the field and win.

Coach Rod’s opening statement about his senior leader summed up their journey together:

"“And then Sani is not quite my age but close. He’s newly married, got a little baby, mature, a great leader, and a really good football player. When he came back from his mission, he was there with Coach Stoops and then he left and I really didn’t know him, and when he came back, he came back ready to play and has worked his tail off. He’s one of the best leaders in our locker room for sure.”"

Sani Fuimaono just went on a diet and lost 43 pounds, he did it by cutting out what he loves the most to eat, sweets, candy, and ice cream, “I need all the help I can get.” He was 310 pounds last year and is listed at 267 this season. He’s really been working hard in the off-season, he made it official in February that he will be moving from nose tackle on offense to a more visible role, as a 3-technique defensive tackle.

“I am going out and having fun and hopefully winning games,” said Fuimaono. One game he wants to win is the game against BYU that he and his coaches are preparing for, “Everyone’s always excited for the first game, you get to strap it up and hit somebody other than your teammates.”

Fuimaono lost weight, but he gained a little brother on the team. Sani was chosen to be a big brother to freshman and fellow Hawaiian Micheal Eletise. “It’s an honor..to be a mentor a new guy coming in especially a guy I have a connection with from back home,” he said, “Michael’s been a really good kid and a huge addition to us on the offensive line.”

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The feeling is mutual, we heard from Michael’s father Pastor Nofo Eletise about their relationship, “The first time Michael met Sani was on his unofficial visit, but when you come from the same place, you are brothers already. They have so much in common both being local boys from Hawaii and sharing a Samoan heritage. They also share the common value of putting family first and working hard on and off the field. Michael looks up to Sani and hopes to follow in his footsteps of having a Hard Edge.”

The silver lining and bright side to suffering all the injuries last season, according to Sani, is that young players were able to gain more on the field experience and they aren’t hesitant about playing this season. He noted Anthony Mariscal, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and Davonte’ Neal as players who stepped up to the plate and are going to be a big help on the defense.

Selfishly, I asked Sani about the Haka and the future of the chant for the football team prior to games, “We’ll keep it a surprise for right now..we were very very heartbroken about it. Greg Byrne — made an executive decision to make it less of a distraction, we were having a tough season already. It’s all good, we’ll have something ready for you guys.”

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Being a father has changed Sani’s perspective on life, he relishes the time he gets to spend with his adorable baby girl and wife Lyndsay. Each time when he works out and trains for football, he is not only working hard for himself but working hard for his family. Fuimaono is very positive and excited to get back on the field and beating opposing teams, especially ASU! Beardown Sani!