Six football players from Bishop Diego signed their letters of intent to continue playing the sport at the next level on Wednesday.
Pasefika Salatielu, Su’e Luamanu, AJ Vele, Toa Evagelia, Nolan Fouvale and Qu’Ran Gossett signed their letters in front of a packed Brick House Gym filled with friends and family.
Salatielu and Luamanu are headed to Cal Poly, while Vele, Evagelia and Fouvale signed with Arizona Christian.
Gossett was the only player who hadn’t announced his decision beforehand, with his choices coming down between UC Berkeley or the University of Texas, El Paso.
Ultimately, the powerful running back who rushed for 2,126 yards and 30 touchdowns for the Cardinals in 2022, decided to commit to UTEP.
“It was between a preferred walk-on at Cal or a full ride at UTEP, and I’ve always wanted to play out in Texas so it was a pretty easy choice,” Gossett said.
He’ll join former Bishop Diego teammates Sam Mikaele and Logo Logo Va’a in El Paso.
“To me, (UTEP) offering me a full ride, it just showed that they actually really wanted me there and they were going to do whatever it takes to get me there… I’m more than excited. I can’t wait.”
Gossett said he hopes to become the next Aaron Jones. Jones, a starting running back for the Green Bay Packers, played his college ball at UTEP before being drafted in 2017.
“I love competing and I’m excited to compete against people a little bit bigger,” he said of playing Division 1 college football. “My whole high school career I held down a starting position, so hopefully that can stay the same.”
He added that he is particularly excited to be reuniting with his old Cardinals teammates Mikaele and Va’a, who both committed to UTEP last year.
“I loved it out there. The people were super nice and they took me out like I was one of their own, especially my old teammates. Being able to go to college that has some familiar faces, it’s great,” he said.
Gossett was the Offensive MVP of the Marmonte League.
Salatielu, a two-year varsity starter and team captain for the 2022 season, and Luamanu, a four-year varsity starter on the offensive line and defensive line, will both be attending Cal Poly.
Salatielu was the Defensive MVP of the Marmonte League.
Both Salatielu and Luamanu are looking play on the defensive line at Cal Poly.
“They have an amazing coaching staff and I am very excited to be there,” Luamanu said.
“I have played football since I was a little kid. I like it because my brother and I played it back home so I am looking forward to earning a starting spot over there and play well for the team.”
Asked about what it is like to have Salatielu joining him, Luamanu said he is “like my brother. I am happy we are going to go to college together and play football there.”
Vele, Evagelia and Fouvale all committed to Arizona Christian University, a successful NAIA program.
Evagelia was a force on the Cardinals’ offensive line, Bishop coach Tom Crawford said. He was a huge reason the team was able to rush for 4,100 yards last season.
“I’m really excited. I just wanted to play at the next level and I’m excited to go to Arizona and show them what it’s about,” Evagelia said.
He’s thrilled to be going to college with his high school teammates.
“Me, Nolan and AJ have been playing together since we were in seventh grade, so to play together at the next level, we are really excited for it,” Evagelia said.
Vele, Bishop’s starting quarterback, passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed another 600 in leading the Cardinals to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals.
Fouvale is a two-way starter that was hurt most of the season, but Crawford said he is excited to see his comeback.
“He can play a variety of positions on both offense and defense,” said Crawford. “From linebacker to fullback, he demonstrated such great growth and potential this season before being injured. We know that he’ll come back stronger than ever.”