BYU's Uona Kaveinga Could Play in 2010

Deep Shades of Blue has learned that BYU inside linebacker Uona Kaveinga has asked the NCAA for a ruling regarding his situation.

The former USC Trojan transferred to BYU this year in time to participate in spring practice.

Typically transfers must sit out a season when transferring schools. They may participate in practices, but may not play in games.

However, the NCAA recently handed down stiff sanctions against the USC program for rules violations. One of the penalties dished out to the Trojans allows juniors and seniors to transfer from USC without having to sit out a season at their new school.

Kaveinga is a junior, but transferred from the USC program before the NCAA handed down its ruling. Following spring practice at BYU, Kaveinga announced that he was planning to serve a LDS Church mission.

However, multiple sources close to Uona have indicated that if the NCAA grants him a waiver on the transfer rule, he may delay his mission and play for BYU this season.

Such a development would be big for Bronco Mendenhall’s defense. Inside linebacker is a question mark for the Cougars with inexperienced players set to fill in for graduated linebackers Matt Bauman and Shawn Doman.

The 6′ 0″, 245-pound Kaveinga would likely start for BYU and would join sophomore Brandon Ogletree, senior Shane Hunter, JC  transfer Aveni Leung-Wai, true freshman Zach Stout, and recently returned missionary Austen Jorgensen as the primary players vying for time at inside linebacker in the Cougars three-four defense.

Kaveinga played in 16 games at middle linebacker for USC over the past two seasons. Last year he backed up starter and 2010 Lombardi Award candidate Chris Gallipo.

In 2008, Uona signed with USC as a highly touted player from Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California. He was tabbed as a Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American and an ESPN 150 recruit. USC and BYU were the two finalist for his services when he committed to the Trojans.

As a new player to the BYU program Kaveinga is unable to speak to the media until after the first game of the season per BYU’s interview policy.