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Vavae Malepeai

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Vavae Malepeai
Current position
TitleOffensive quality control analyst
TeamStanford Cardinal
ConferenceACC
Biographical details
Born (1998-01-28) January 28, 1998 (age 27)
Aiea, Hawaii, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Southern California (2019, 2021)
Playing career
2016–2021USC
Position(s)Running back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2023–presentStanford (OQCA)

Vavae Malepeai (born January 28, 1998) is a former American football running back. He is currently a offensive quality control analyst at Stanford, a position he has held since 2023. Malepeai played for the USC Trojans.

Early years

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Malepeai was born in 1998 in Aiea, Hawaii. He played football at Mililani High School where he became one of the best running backs in Hawaii high school football history.[1] He concluded his high school career with more rushing yards than any other player in state history.[2] He would originally commit to play at Oregon[3] but would switch his commitment to USC.[4]

College career

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Malepeai enrolled at the University of Southern California in 2016. He was redshirted as a true freshman after suffering a broken shoulder blade in training camp. Despite having his season shortened due to injury, he led the 2019 USC Trojans football team with 503 rushing yards in eight games.[5] His 2019 season was cut short by a knee injury.[6] Malepeai later revealed that he had injured the knee in before the season began and played hurt, hoping he could fight through it.[7]

In 2020, he again led USC in rushing yardage.[2][8]

Statistics

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Season Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
USC Trojans
2016 Redshirt Redshirt
2017 13 0 49 261 5.3 0 3 5 0.4 0
2018 12 1 93 501 5.4 8 15 88 7.3 0
2019 8 7 105 503 4.8 6 15 70 8.8 1
2020 5 3 54 238 4.4 3 16 64 12.8 0
2021 12 4 114 502 4.4 6 12 65 5.4 0
Career 50 15 415 2,005 4.8 23 61 292 4.8 1

Personal life

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A native of Hawaii, his three uncles, Silila, Tasi and Pulou Malepeai, all played college football for the Oregon Ducks.[9]

In April 2024, he became engaged to Anna Smith a former USC women's soccer team goalkeeper.[citation needed] They plan to wed in 2025.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Super Soph: Mililanis Vavae Malepeai on pace to threaten the all-time best backs". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. November 19, 2013. p. C4 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Billy Hull (September 1, 2021). "Talents Taing Flight". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. p. C1, C2 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Jacoby, Kenny (June 14, 2015). "Oregon football adds Hawaiian running back Vavae Malepeai". Daily Emerald. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  4. ^ "Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai signs with USC Trojans". KHON-TV. February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  5. ^ "Vavae Malepeai". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "USC's Vavae Malepeai to undergo knee surgery". Los Angeles Times. October 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "USC's Vavae Malepeai: 'My Fault' For Not Disclosing Injury". Sports Illustrated. November 12, 2019.
  8. ^ "No. 13 USC RB Malepeai unlikely to play in Pac-12 title game". Santa Maria Times. December 17, 2020. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "'Tailback U' called to USC's Malepeai, who chose not to follow family footsteps to Oregon". Los Angeles Times. September 25, 2018.
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