LSU defensive end Breiden Fehoko and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will meet for the first time on the college stage on Nov. 3, but their relationship goes back many years.
Fehoko and Tagovailoa grew up 11 miles apart on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu and first met when Fehoko was in middle school and Tagovailoa was in grade school.
“I’ve always been a big fan of him, always supported him,” Fehoko said. “We come from a small island, so you make it out of there and to the big leagues, you can’t help but be proud of him.”
The Fehokos and Tagovailoas are family friends, which Breiden said makes them similar in how they approach life.
The only time they’ve faced each other on the field was Tua’s sophomore year of high school when Fehoko’s team won, but Tagovailoa wasn’t the starter. Tagovailoa would go on to win a state championship when Fehoko was in college.
“I was able to say I got the better of him in high school though,” Fehoko said. “Those are some bragging rights.”
While Fehoko and Tagovailoa may be cordial off the field, there will be no tears shed come Nov. 3 [for Fehoko.]
“When Saturday comes, that’s my enemy and I have got to get after him,” Fehoko said.
That may be easier said than done, as Tagovailoa has quickly become the runaway Heisman favorite after a superb start to his 2018 campaign. In Alabama’s undefeated start, Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,066 yards on 70 percent completion percentage with 25 touchdowns and no interceptions.
The LSU defense currently leads the nation in interceptions at 14 and has one of the best secondaries in the country. The front seven has to be able to apply pressure on Tagovailoa and force rushed throws.
Without junior linebacker Devin White for the first half, that task could be significantly harder, but LSU did discover some depth on the front line that could prove crucial to the Tigers’ success.
Fehoko said he could have played against the Bulldogs on Oct. 20 if needed, but the extra time off has him at full strength ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Crimson Tide.
In Fehoko’s absence, Tyler Shelvin and Neil Farrell had productive outings which gives LSU some added depth on the defensive line.
“I’m so proud of them and the way they stepped up,” Fehoko said. “Tyler especially, for him to step up this late in the season with guys going down. It’s huge and he played well.”

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Courtesy of The Crimson White

TUA