Nation Ford’s Hank Tuipulotu commits to play football at BYU

One of the most heralded local high school football recruits, Nation Ford’s Hank Tuipulotu, has committed in relative silence to Brigham Young University.

Tuipulotu, 17, committed verbally to his parents’ alma mater late Friday night, July 3, and news of his commitment exploded like fireworks on Independence Day morning.

A rising senior who exceeded 1,000 receiving yards last season, Tuipulotu picked BYU over Furman University, Appalachian State University, Navy and Air Force – all of which had officially made him offers. The University of North Carolina and N.C. State were also in the hunt for Tuipulotu, but were still trying to figure out how to work out the numbers for two years down the road.

Tuipulotu, a Mormon, won’t actually be attending college until 2018 because he will be leaving for a two-year mission trip in the fall of 2016. While on his mission trip, a commitment common among Mormons, especially young adults, Tuipulotu will have little free time for himself outside of his commitments to the church, but will be allowed to work out in the morning to stay in shape.

“It will be tough to stay in shape,” he said.

Tuipulotu said he is unsure where he will be going on his two-year mission, but should find out a year from now. His mission won’t be finished until sometime in late 2018, thus he will most likely enter BYU in time for a spring practice for 2019. Tuipulotu said that 80 percent of BYU’s football players go on their mission trips before they play college football.

“They have it down to a science,” he said. “It will take some used to getting back into the swing of things.”

The fact that Tuipulotu’s parents attended BYU didn’t much factor into the decision, he said.

“It was more of my decision,” he said. “I like the campus. It is a very fun atmosphere. I am excited to play there.”

He said he enjoyed meeting with the coaching staff and said the honor code the school has is something he already lives his life by. Both of those things, he said, helped in making his decision.

“I am ready now,” he said. “I got to visit with the coaches and talk to them. I feel like it’s the best fit for me.”

Once he does take the field for BYU, Tuipulotu will most likely play slot receiver or H-back for the Cougars. He can officially sign his letter of intent in February.

This story was originally published July 5, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Nation Ford’s Hank Tuipulotu commits to play football at BYU."