BYU offensive lineman Sione Veikoso dead at 22

Sione Veikoso, an offensive lineman at BYU, died Friday when a retaining wall collapsed in his native Hawaii. He was 22 years old.

Veikoso was with five other people at a construction site when a wall behind the home collapsed on them, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Two of the men went to the hospital with injuries while a third didn’t go to the hospital. Veikoso was pronounced dead at the scene.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake reacted to the news via Twitter Saturday, expressing his condolences to Veikoso family.

“We are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our brothers, Sione Veikoso,” Sitake tweeted. “His passing is heartbreaking to all of us. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to his family as we share in their grief. Our love for you is forever, Sione!”

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe also released a statement via Twitter regarding Veikoso’s death.

“The BYU Football Family mourns the passing of our dear teammate and fellow Cougar, Sione Veikoso,” Holmoe tweeted. “May his family and friends feel our love and faith at this most sacred and difficult time. Peace be with you now and forever Sione.”

Veikoso just wrapped up his first season with BYU after transferring in from Arizona State. He appeared in one game with the Sun Devils before making one appearance with BYU in 2022. Out of high school, Veikoso was a three-star recruit and the No. 1,505 overall prospect from the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

BYU went 8-5 overall this season in its last season as an independent. The Cougars are now preparing to make the jump to the Big 12 next season as the league expands to 16 teams with UCF, Houston and Cincinnati joining the conference, as well.