University of Nevada Las Vegas

UNLV: A senior team leader who looks to make a successful return to the field after losing a season because of injury … Represented the Rebel defense at the annual Mountain West Media Days in July … Spent spring practice continuing to rehab from injury … Named Academic All-Mountain West in 2021 and ’22 and to the UNLV Dean’s Honor List in spring 2021, fall 2021, fall 2022 and spring 2023 ... Earned his bachelor’s degree in urban studies in May 2023 and is currently enrolled in graduate school … Name is pronounced “NAH-kee fah-EE-nah.”

2022: The squad’s starting nose tackle suffered an injury during the season-opening game and did not return … Had four tackles, including a QB sack, in the half of football he played in the victory over Idaho State.

2021: Played in 10 games with five starts along the line … Finished with a career-high 18 total tackles, including 3.0 TFL and a forced fumble.

2020: Played in five games and recorded a career-high six total tackles, including one TFL … Made his first UNLV start at DE vs. Wyoming.

2019: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by appearing in seven games as a true freshman … Totaled five tackles playing on defense and special teams.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2019 graduate of Lawndale HS … A three-year letterwinner under coach Travis Clark … Helped the Cardinals to a 34-8 mark over his three seasons on varsity, capturing the league championship three times … During senior season in 2018, the Cardinals went 14-2, winning the league, district, regional and state championships for Division 2A … Had a stellar senior campaign, finishing with 149 tackles, 34 TFL, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, two blocked field goals and a defensive touchdown … Named the 2018 Ocean League Most Valuable Player and was a 2018 CalHi Sports All-State selection … A three-time all-league performer and named the Ocean League’s Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2017 after recording 89 tackles, 22 TFL and 12 sacks … Also played long snapper, punter and fullback for the Cardinals … Also a wrestler in high school, winning a league championship in 2017 at 220 lbs … Three-year letterwinner in track and field, winning league championships in shot put and discus in 2018.

PERSONAL: Amanaki Lelei Fahina was born in Mesa, AZ … The son of Susitina Fahina-Stephenson and Cameron Ngaue-Stephenson … Has four brothers, Siale, Timothy, Ian and Nua; and two sisters, Ema and Moala … Father Cameron played defensive tackle and offensive guard at Rutgers and was selected in the fifth round of 2007 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers … Cousin Pasi Fahina played defensive tackle at Azusa Pacific … Cousin Suli Faletuipapai played defensive end at Fresno State … Majoring in urban studies.