New to the team but USC's eldest player, defensive tackle Fangupo brings a wide array of experiences to the Trojan line.
By Pedro Moura
USCRipsIt staff writer
There are quite a few words to suitably describe junior defensive tackle Hebron "Loni" Fangupo.
Old is one of them. In his first season with the Trojans, Fangupo is 24 -- edging out Jeff Byers for the title of eldest statesmen.
Big also works. He's 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds -- the heaviest on the roster by a margin of 15 pounds.
There's more: humble, friendly, even young.
"I don't know what I am," says Fangupo, whose nickname is pronounced "low-nee." "I'm new. I'm old. But I'm also still a little young buck coming in here because everything is new to me, but then again there's a lot of people here I share experiences with."
He's untested at the FBS level -- having played only in the San Jose State game thus far -- but he racked up 71 tackles and eight sacks in two seasons with Mt. San Antonio College. Fangupo consistently overpowered offensive lineman at the juco level.
"He's big, he's strong, he's athletic," defensive line coach Jethro Franklin said. "He'll take up space. He has a lot of traits that you really admire in a defensive tackle. If he keeps going in the right direction, he's going to be a productive player for us."
Teammates know the value of a space-clogger on the defensive line who can also rush the passer.
"He's a big, solid guy," redshirt freshman defensive end Wes Horton says of his linemate. "He's huge, so once he starts really coming after guys physically, no one will be able to block him. He's still young in the system, and he's definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future."
The affable Fangupo likes to tell the story of how he became a Trojan.
It started with a visit to a USC practice at Howard Jones Field with the Mt. SAC team. From there, Loni took control.
"I went up to coach Nick Holt and I told him that -- when Fili Moala leaves -- I want to be the one to come in and replace him," Fangupo said. "I think he thought I was joking. He just laughed and walked away, but I grabbed him by the arm and looked in the eye and said 'I really want to play here, and I know I can play here.'
"That was a Wednesday. Thursday they sent [former defensive line coach David Watson] to see me at practice. And then Friday morning, at 9 o'clock exactly, I got a call from Pete Carroll asking me if I wanted to be part of the Trojans."
That's the kind of initiative Fangupo shows.
At the end of Monday's practice at Cromwell Field, after putting in extra work with the defensive line, he walked over to the club rugby team setting up shop at the east corner of the field.
Making small talk, Fangupo eventually grabbed a ball and punted it, laughing even as it proved a powerful kick. He drew the surprised glances of numerous rugby players. He said rugby was his sport while growing up.
Born in Santa Ana, Fangupo spent five years of his childhood in his native Tonga before moving back to Orange County during high school. He played at Century High but had no scholarship offers, moved back to Tonga for a year and then served a two-year mission for his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Phillippines. It's been a journey, to say the least.
Still, Fangupo says it's all been worth it.
"The best part of everything is to look to your right, to your left, and behind you, and you know your boys have got you," Fangupo said. "You see them giving their all, and all you can do is give your best as well."
• You can contact USCRipsIt staff writer Pedro Moura via email.
By Pedro Moura
USCRipsIt staff writer
There are quite a few words to suitably describe junior defensive tackle Hebron "Loni" Fangupo.Old is one of them. In his first season with the Trojans, Fangupo is 24 -- edging out Jeff Byers for the title of eldest statesmen.
Big also works. He's 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds -- the heaviest on the roster by a margin of 15 pounds.
There's more: humble, friendly, even young.
"I don't know what I am," says Fangupo, whose nickname is pronounced "low-nee." "I'm new. I'm old. But I'm also still a little young buck coming in here because everything is new to me, but then again there's a lot of people here I share experiences with."
He's untested at the FBS level -- having played only in the San Jose State game thus far -- but he racked up 71 tackles and eight sacks in two seasons with Mt. San Antonio College. Fangupo consistently overpowered offensive lineman at the juco level.
"He's big, he's strong, he's athletic," defensive line coach Jethro Franklin said. "He'll take up space. He has a lot of traits that you really admire in a defensive tackle. If he keeps going in the right direction, he's going to be a productive player for us."
Teammates know the value of a space-clogger on the defensive line who can also rush the passer.
"He's a big, solid guy," redshirt freshman defensive end Wes Horton says of his linemate. "He's huge, so once he starts really coming after guys physically, no one will be able to block him. He's still young in the system, and he's definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future."
The affable Fangupo likes to tell the story of how he became a Trojan.
It started with a visit to a USC practice at Howard Jones Field with the Mt. SAC team. From there, Loni took control."I went up to coach Nick Holt and I told him that -- when Fili Moala leaves -- I want to be the one to come in and replace him," Fangupo said. "I think he thought I was joking. He just laughed and walked away, but I grabbed him by the arm and looked in the eye and said 'I really want to play here, and I know I can play here.'
"That was a Wednesday. Thursday they sent [former defensive line coach David Watson] to see me at practice. And then Friday morning, at 9 o'clock exactly, I got a call from Pete Carroll asking me if I wanted to be part of the Trojans."
That's the kind of initiative Fangupo shows.
At the end of Monday's practice at Cromwell Field, after putting in extra work with the defensive line, he walked over to the club rugby team setting up shop at the east corner of the field.
Making small talk, Fangupo eventually grabbed a ball and punted it, laughing even as it proved a powerful kick. He drew the surprised glances of numerous rugby players. He said rugby was his sport while growing up.
Born in Santa Ana, Fangupo spent five years of his childhood in his native Tonga before moving back to Orange County during high school. He played at Century High but had no scholarship offers, moved back to Tonga for a year and then served a two-year mission for his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Phillippines. It's been a journey, to say the least.
Still, Fangupo says it's all been worth it.
"The best part of everything is to look to your right, to your left, and behind you, and you know your boys have got you," Fangupo said. "You see them giving their all, and all you can do is give your best as well."
• You can contact USCRipsIt staff writer Pedro Moura via email.
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