2021 Mountain West Football Top 50 Players: #22, San Jose State DE Viliami Fehoko
The Spartans defensive end broke out in a big way and lands our list of Mountain West football’s best players this fall.
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The Spartans boast a fearsome defensive duo thanks to Fehoko.
Everyone within the San Jose State Spartans football program would tell you that it takes a group effort to climb the kind of mountain that they did in claiming their first Mountain West title last season so, while they can claim the reigning defensive player of the year, the next player on our countdown of the conference’s elite is proof that they got plenty of help elsewhere on that side of the ball.
That’s because defensive end Viliami Fehoko, opposite the aforementioned Cade Hall, gave offenses plenty to worry about himself in his second full year as a starter. After all, Fehoko led the Mountain West with 12.5 tackles for loss in just eight games, trailing only Colorado’s Carson Wells and Iowa State’s Daviyon Dixon among FBS defenders who played in that few contests, and also contributed 36 total tackles, six sacks, and three passes defended.
The champs will definitely have a target on their collective backs in 2021, but it doesn’t seem likely that will disturb Fehoko on his way to stuffing more quarterbacks and running backs alike behind the line of scrimmage.
There are 4⃣2⃣ days to San Jose State kickoff.
#42 Viliami Fehoko made this fumble recovery that helped the Spartans take the lead at San Diego State. pic.twitter.com/YYQyNskSxy
— Inside The Spartans (@InsideSpartans) July 17, 2021
SJSU JR EDGE Viliami Fehoko is a scheme-versatile, hard-working defender who plays with attitude. Stands up, plays 5T and outside the OT. Don't block him with RB/TE. Outstanding hustle to the ball, as he gets held up here inside but makes his way back into the play. #SnapScout22 pic.twitter.com/koMIYIrRgU
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) July 17, 2021