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| Steve Kaufusi's BYU legacy began as a player in 1985 (Mark Philbrick, BYU Photo). |
At 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-9, respectively, Steve Kaufusi's sons Bronson and Corbin are two of the tallest football players the BYU Cougars have ever had. However, that's not the reason the senior Kaufusi, as he moves on "to pursue other interests," is leaving behind a large legacy.
January 19, 2018, BYU announced that, after 16 seasons, Steve Kaufusi would no longer be a member of the football coaching staff. His coaching career is only half of the time he has been associated with BYU.
Kaufusi transferred to BYU as a defensive lineman from Dixie College in 1985. After redshirting that first season, BYU was stacked on the defensive line with future NFL first round draft picks Jason Buck and Shawn Knight in 1986. That prompted a position change to outside linebacker in BYU's 3-4 defensive scheme. With the loss of Buck and Knight, Kaufusi was moved back to defensive line in 1987 where he was the starting right tackle.
Some of Kaufusi's career highlights include a career-high seven tackles in BYU's 22-17 win at Texas in 1987; the first ever meeting between the two schools. His only interception also came his senior season. It was in the game at Hawaii. Kaufusi was on the BYU team that went to Australia to play a game. He accounted for four turnovers in 1987, which helped the Cougar defense lead the nation in takeaways (50).
STEVE KAUFUSI'S BYU STATS
| Tackles | Sacks | TFL | QBH | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | TD | |
| 1986 |
20
|
2.5
|
0
|
6
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
| 1987 |
54
|
5.5
|
5
|
11
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
| Career |
74
|
8
|
5
|
17
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
0
|
Kaufusi was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He was on the roster for three seasons, and played in all 16 games and one playoff game in both 1989 and 1990.
While Kaufusi was playing for the Eagles, he continued to have an impact on BYU football. He didn't learn about the value of scholarships until 1984 while being recruited in junior college. Once he realized players could have their schooling paid for, he called his mom and told her to have his brothers start playing and learning the game. One of those brothers followed in his footsteps and came to BYU.
Rich Kaufusi came to BYU in 1989 after a successful junior college career at Dixie College. He started immediately. He helped keep the family undefeated against Utah by blocking a first half field goal attempt in the 1989 game. The biggest play of his career, however, came the following season.
With eight minutes to play in the third quarter, BYU was tied, 21-21, with the number one ranked Miami Hurricanes in the 1990 home opener. On 4th and 1, near mid-field, Miami tried to overpower the Cougars and pick up the first down. Kaufusi penetrated the line of scrimmage and stopped the Hurricane ball carrier for no gain. On the ensuing possession, the BYU offense scored the game-winning touchdown.
RICH KAUFUSI'S BYU STATS
| Tackles | Sacks | TFL | QBH | PD | Int | Yds | BLK | FF | FR | TD | |
| 1989 |
55
|
6
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
| 1990 |
68
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Career |
123
|
14
|
9
|
28
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Back to Steve.
Once Steve Kaufusi's NFL days were done, he finished his undergraduate degree at BYU, and wanted to pursue a graduate degree. To help pay for it, he became a graduate assistant for the Utah Utes. That led to a 24-year coaching career. He stayed eight seasons at Utah before returning to Provo in 2002.
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| Photo: BYUCougars.com |
For his first 15 seasons (2002-16) he coached the defensive line under head coaches Gary Crowton, Bronco Mendenhall, and Kalani Sitake. During that time, Kaufusi coached some great Cougar defenders. Brady Poppinga, Shaun Nua, Hala Paongo, Manaia Brown, Jan Jorgensen, Vic So'oto, Romney Fuga, Hebron Fangupo, Eathyn Manumaleuna, Ezekiel Ansah, Sae Tautu, Sione Takitaki, and his two sons Bronson and Corbin.
Bronson Kaufusi contributed as a true freshman playing in all 13 games after having returned from his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few weeks before fall camp. It was immediately evident that he had NFL potential. He finished his Cougar career third in school history for tackles for loss (44), second in sacks (26.5), third in quarterback hurries (12).
Note: Defensive stats were officially recognized by the NCAA starting in 2000. These rankings are for all BYU players since that year.
BRONSON KAUFUSI'S STATS
| Tackles | Sacks | Yards | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | QBH | |
| 2012 |
23
|
4.5
|
32
|
5.5
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
| 2013 |
38
|
4
|
18
|
7
|
6
|
1
|
12
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
| 2014 |
43
|
7
|
52
|
11.5
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
| 2015 |
64
|
11
|
71
|
20
|
2
|
1
|
10
|
0
|
3
|
1
|
6
|
| Career |
168
|
26.5
|
173
|
44
|
15
|
2
|
22
|
1
|
5
|
3
|
17
|
Bronson was a third round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2016 NFL Draft.
As soon as Bronson left, Corbin Kaufusi joined the football team. As a junior in 2017, he was the team leader in sacks (6), third in tackles for loss (7.5), and fourth on the team in tackles (67).
CORBIN KAUFUSI'S STATS (THROUGH HIS JUNIOR SEASON)
| Tackles | Sacks | Yards | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | QBH | |
| 2016 (Soph) |
31
|
2.5
|
17
|
2.5
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
| 2017 (Junior) |
67
|
6
|
42
|
7.5
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
| Career |
98
|
8.5
|
59
|
10
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
Steve Kaufusi's coaching career at BYU might be over, but his legacy will continue to live on. Besides Corbin having one year of eligibility left, his nephew Isaiah has been on the roster the past two seasons, and will be a sophomore in 2018. Steve's son Devin was part of BYU's 2015 recruiting class. He recently finished serving his mission, and is enrolled in classes. Another nephew Jackson Kaufusi signed to play with BYU in 2016. He, too, will begin his Cougar career after serving a two-year mission.
What Steve Kaufusi started will continue for at least another five years, but it seems likely that Kaufusi's will continue to find their way to the Y. Whether it is one of his sons returning to coach, like he did, or his grandsons coming to play two decades from now.
Thank you, Steve. You have made BYU football better. You and your family have a legacy that few can match.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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