Aiulua Fanene transfer?

Does anyone know much about walks-ons/preferred walk-ons coming into the program?



I have heard that Ailua Fanene will be transferring after returning from his mission. He had been at Arizona but was cut loose when he decided to serve a mission.



Can anyone else confirm this?

I haven't heard anything Ailua yet.

Not much on him on the internet. From HI played OL in high school. Played DT at UA. Looks like he did 2 years of college and then a mission (guessing on this).

He is from American Samoa. He red shirted at AZ in 2010. He played in 2011 as a 300 lb freshman. He won Scout Team MVP honors in 2010.



He left on a mission in Spring 2012 and thus missed 2012 and 2013 seasons along with another DT from Kaneohe Hawaii.



He has a brother playing in the NFL.



Arizona coaches indicated that they expect both missionaries back - but not until after spring practice. And AZ needs them. The post indicating that AZ cut him loose seems inaccurate in light of coach comments.



But there was a big head coaching change / staff change since Fanene left and Rich Rod indicated that they have only had minimal email contact with the two missionaries. And, a year after the head coaching change, Anae left and returned to BYU.



AZ made big Polynesian Pipeline inroads with Robert Anae and other Polynesian coaches on board. Now Anae is in Provo.



From the Bib

Does this "dis-prove" the long held allegation by other universities that missionary service and age give an unfair advantage to BYU?