Butte running back Takeshi Faupula signs with University of New Mexico

BUTTE VALLEY For a sixth straight season, the Butte College football team will have its starting running back move on to the next level.

Takeshi Faupula, a Yuba City High School alumnus, signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and football career at University of New Mexico.

As I was thinking about this and as this days come closer, I have thought about how its weird that during a signing day, its all about the person thats signing and not about the people that helped them get there, Faupula said to the crowd in attendance.

Theres a lot of people that have been behind the scenes that without them I wouldnt be here...

The success is more than just me, and I hope is something everyone in this room is proud of and the people that have helped me get there.

As to why Faupula chose New Mexico, he said the expectations set there reminded him of Butte College.

They called it the highest expectation, and I think that was something that was held here without even being said, Faupula said.

Were all held to a standard of not just being the best athlete we can be and trying as hard as you can on the field, but also being a good person off the field.

They really showed me this family feeling that I have only felt at home, at Butte, and at New Mexico now.

The Roadrunners football team holds many signing ceremonies each year, but the crowd for Faupulas was larger than head coach Robby Snelling has seen.

Snelling and running backs coach Wally Funk said this speaks to Faupulas character and the leader he has been on his team.

High character individual, and everything he does is done the right way, Snelling said.

Always on time, always first in line if we need something done, and nothings too big or too small for him to do.

If it needs to be done, hes going to do it.

Hes the guy thats going to look around for what needs to be done and not have to be told.

Those types of qualities will always serve you well.

Faupula did not see a lot of carries in his freshman season due to Christian Vaughn taking the lead, but he made his impact elsewhere.

The Roadrunners used Faupula on goal line sets and as a fullback, as well as on special teams.

He blocked a punt in the Roadrunners bowl game last season and has continued on kick return this season.

He took advantage of his opportunity in his sophomore season and had 166 carries for 987 yards in 11 games (89.7 yards per game, 5.9 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns.

He added 12 receptions for 79 yards for a total of 1,066 total yards on offense.

He would have reached 1,000 yards rushing if several long runs had not been called back due to penalties.

Many athletes who attend Butte College graduate from high school, sometimes grey shirt, play their one or two years with the Roadrunners, and either sign with a four-year program or continue playing at the next level.

For Faupula, his journey was not like this at all.

He attended Yuba City High School for three seasons, and then the pandemic hit his senior season.

He moved to Lehi, Utah, and stayed with family, ensuring he would have a senior season and be able to play football.

During Faupulas senior season, he verbally committed to play at Navy but opted to go on a two-year mission for his religionsomething he holds dearly to this day.

Football, physically, mentally, spiritually, I would just not be here, Faupula said.

He has placed some great people in my life.

Ive been very blessed.

After his mission, coaching changes occurred at Navy, and Faupula was left without a home to continue playing football.

The Roadrunners and Faupula had talks prior to him signing with Navy, and both Funk and Snelling immediately reached out once more and were excited to get him.

Funk praised Faupulas growth, saying, When he first got here he had trouble maybe seeing the point of attack expand, but now he sees it, he understands the offense a lot better, but his vision has improved drastically.

Hes progressed with his presnap reads, it used to be just run to that spot, and now he understands to look at the defense, look where my cutback might be, that kind of thing.

His vision has expanded.

Faupula thanked all those involved with his growth at Butte College.

Before I came to Butte, I had just finished a two-year mission for my church, and so I was probably a little weird to most people, Faupula said.It was a good transition to regular life, but now that Im leaving, I have noticed that they have shown me a lot about the importance of being a good person off the field and in the classroom.

I feel like Ive definitely grown a lot in my schoolwork and being a good man, but also just a great athlete..

This article has been shared from the original article on chicoer, here is the link to the original article.