The USC Trojans have had their fair share of commitments wavering over the past couple of weeks, including the loss of one commitment to cross-town rival UCLA.
One commitment who had some serious doubt cast in his mind about his future at USC is the nation’s top rated junior college defensive tackle out of Mt. SAC (CA.), Hebron Fangupo.
Fangupo, who committed to USC on May 28th of this year, served a Mormon mission in the Philippines before returning the states to play football.
His religion, however, was what nearly witnessed the mammoth defensive tackle switch his commitment to BYU.
“My mom is real serious about my spiritual side,” explained Fangupo. “She wants me to stay strong in the church, and BYU came in and offered a good environment for me and my religion.”
The 6’2. 320 lbs. defensive tackle joked when saying his mom basically committed to BYU on his behalf, stating her concerns for her sons future in Los Angeles.
“My mom liked the fact that BYU was in a good area,” he said of the reasons for his interest in the Cougars. “No matter how good you are, you can make it to the league at any school if you’re good enough.
“We talked about it and prayed as a family.”
The deciding factors in Fangupo’s reaffirmation of his commitment to USC came from trust and tragedy within the family.
Five of Fangupo’s cousins died recently, a tragedy that in a certain way shaped his future at the collegiate level.
“Five of my cousins just died,” said Fangupo of the his family. “They were always wearing USC shirts and wristbands and were walking around the islands telling everyone how they’re big cousin had made it.
“I want to make my cousins proud and honor them.”
On the other hand, Fangupo had to deal with his mother, who in the end, had a heart-to-heart with the Mt. SAC standout about attending school at USC.
“I could tell that my mom wasn’t sure about USC,” explained Fangupo on his decision. “There is temptation wherever you go, and I don’t get into those kinds of things.
“The drinking and things like that, I don’t mess around with at all.”
He still had to convince his mother that USC was the right place for him, and eventually was able to change her mind on the school.
“I asked my mom if she trusted me,” said Fangupo of the conversation. “I told her that I went on my mission to the Philippines and came back more mature then a lot of people my age. I came back a changed man.
“She looked me in the eyes and asked me where I wanted to go. I told her I’ve always wanted to play at USC.”
At that point, Fangupo was once again 100% committed to the Trojans, although more family doubt was made known by those close to him.
Rated as one of the nation’s top junior college prospects, Fangupo heard it from all angles.
“A lot of my family members think that I should have gone to a smaller school and get more playing time,” he said. “Of course USC has so many athletes, and they thought because I’ve only played football for three years I wouldn’t be ready for that level.”
Never one to doubt his own ability, Fangupo is ready to take the challenge head on and prove all of his doubters wrong.
“I’ve made it this far,” he said Friday evening following a trip to USC. “They can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.
“It’s hard work, I know that.”
Honored with the distinction as one of the nations top players on the junior college level is no small feat, and the Tonga native understands that and is taking nothing for granted.
“It felt great,” said Fangupo of his accolades. “I was honored, and it just shows that all of the pain, the hard work, the sacrifice and the weightlifting paid off.
“That is something I’m really proud of, not just anybody is considered a top player. That also influenced my work ethic.”
Although he could just rest on his laurels, Fangupo is not content until he is making an impact for the Trojans on Saturday.
“Being at the top here (junior college) is not enough,” he explained. “I want to be number one at USC. I am going to go there ready, I can tell you that.”
Expected to graduate in December, mix-ups in his course work will delay his arrival at USC until next summer.
The delay is another setback for the defensive tackle, something he was pleased with.
“My counselor kind of screwed me over,” said Fangupo of his the course mix-up. “I was seeing one counselor who told me everything was fine, and then I took it to the main counselor to check on it and make sure I was on track.
“That counselor told me I was taking unnecessary courses and that I pretty much wasted a semester.”
The delay in his graduation will be of no concern to the coaching staff, who will honor his scholarship regardless of his graduation date.
The problem comes in Fangupo’s main goal for enrolling early.
“My main goal was to develop a chemistry with the players,” explained Fangupo, obviously upset about the events that transpired. “Once I sign, I’m going to get the playbook though and know it by the time I get there.”
Friday evening also developed the commitment of Fangupo’s Mt. SAC teammates in kicker/punter Jake Harfman.
Fangupo, who heard of the commitment from WeAreSC, was excited for Harfman, even offering his own take on the special teams expert.
“It feels good for two people to make it to USC out of one school,” he said of Harfman’s commitment. “That guy can kick, he really has a leg.
“He was kicking 67 yard field goals three in a row during warm ups, and I’m sitting there thinking what the…”
Harfman’s biggest accomplishment of the season came with seconds winding down on the clock to send the game into overtime.
The field goal, though, would set the school record as he attempted a 56 yard field goal.
“That was huge,” explained Fangupo of the clutch kick that helped them remain undefeated at the time. “It was down to the line and we really needed it, and he came through.”
As for what the Trojans have planned for Fangupo:
“They are going to work me into what spot they see best,” he said. “They expect me to come in and deliver and see the field early. I’m going to deliver, I have to.”
Fangupo’s story is one of great perseverance and triumph, and WeAreSC will continue to keep up on Fangupo as he approaches his entrance date.
