The scholarship offer count passed 30 recently when Oregon jumped into the Breiden Fehoko sweepstakes, but Farrington scholar-athlete Breiden Fehoko has his mind on Lubbock, Texas.
Today, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior defensive lineman gave Texas Tech an early oral commitment. Fehoko’s father, Vili, made the announcement on his Facebook page this morning.
Breiden Fehoko and his family are visiting the campus this week, where older brother V.J. is a linebacker. Breiden has a 4.0 grade-point average and was a Star-Advertiser All-State first-team selection as a defensive tackle last fall.
It didn’t start out as a recruiting trip of any kind when the Fehoko ohana flew from Honolulu to Texas. V.J.’s spring game was on the itinerary, first and foremost. But the longer they stayed in Lubbock, the more Breiden felt at home.
“We came to visit have fun see the spring game. It turns out this is going to be my new home. it’s been so exciting and stressful but relieving,” he said. “When I came here, I knew I needed to be here. Coach (Kliff Kingsbury) is so family oriented, everybody here made me feel like family. It’s eye opening for me to see them treat me that way. i think the good Lord is saying this is the place for me, to be close to my brother and close to my family.”
Brother Sam Fehoko recently completed his eligibility at Texas Tech, and V.J. will be a senior this fall. Breiden still has his senior year of high school ahead, but he will complete his requirements by December.
“My brothers made such an impact in my life and that’s why I made this decision. I want to be close to him and Sam. Ultimately it was what I felt in my heart and my gut feeling,” he said.
His parents, Vili and Linda, were caught just a bit off guard.
“They’re surprised, but they’re happy and so supportive of me,” Fehoko said.
He is already looking forward to 2015.
“I’ll be done in December with high school, after the Under Armour All-American game in Florida, I go straight to Lubbock,” he said. “The only time I’ll be back is to graduate (at Farrington).”
As for the other 30 suitors who had offered scholarships, including powerhouses like Alabama, Fehoko remains very business-like.
“I messaged them to thank them and they respect the fact that I’ve made a decision. They’re going to do their job and recruit me, but they’re congratulating me,” he said. “They’re mature about it and I’m mature about it.”
So excited to have him be a part of the team. It is going to be exciting to see the Stidham (#1 dual threat QB in the nation) along with him on the defensive side propel Texas Tech to national prominence!! Wreck em Tech!!!