Freshman Sione Takitaki is a three-star inside linebacker from Fontana, California and was ranked the number 24 inside linebacker in the country by ESPN. At 6'3" Takitaki has Van Noy size as a freshman and has the potential to see the field this fall. News broke July 17th that Takitaki had allegedly been dismissed from the program by Total Blue Sports. However, no official announcement has been made regarding his status.
According to TBS, coach Bronco Mendenhall dismissed Takitaki but other coaches and administrators stepped in on his behalf.
To recap, Sione Takitaki was dismissed by Bronco Mendenhall but coaches & administrators stepped in to vouch for Sione & change his ruling
— Total Blue Sports (@TotalBlueSports) July 18, 2014
Mendenhall allowed the players to vote on what the verdict should be concerning his status with the team.
Bronco brought it before the entire #BYUfootball team & let them vote on it. They voted to let Takitaki remain in school & focus on that.
— Total Blue Sports (@TotalBlueSports) July 18, 2014
It appears that Takitaki will remain enrolled in classes and could possibly have the opportunity to rejoin the team in January. If nothing else, the above tweets indicate that Takitaki has the support of his teammates, as does the following tweet from teammate and fellow freshman Ului Lapuaho.
I believe in second chances. If not, I'd be a hypocrite.
— Ului Lapuaho (@ULapuaho) July 18, 2014