TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State University redshirt senior linebacker/defensive back Laiu Moeakiola has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field, and have notable achievement in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
Moeakiola becomes the seventh Sun Devil to be named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award over the past four years, a total that leads the nation in that span.
To be eligible for the Senior CLASS Award, student-athletes must be an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have achievements in four areas of success: community, classroom, character, and competition. The 30 candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, whose names will be placed on the official ballot for media, coaches, and fans nationwide to vote. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
This season, Moeakiola is seventh on the team with 23 total tackles while leading the team with eight passes defensed along with an interception (though he missed the season opener). Following the Cal contest, Moeakiola was named Lott IMPACT Player of the Week for his performance. In the fourth quarter, Moeakiola intercepted quarterback Davis Webb and returned it for a touchdown to secure the victory for the Sun Devils. He added five solo tackles and one batted down pass in the effort. Moeakiola is the first Sun Devil to win the Lott IMPACT Player or the Week award since former safety Alden Darby in September of 2013.
Showing off his team-first attitude, Moeakiola has made the transition back to the team's SPUR linebacker position after being moved to safety prior to the season. After battling shoulder problems for much of his career, Moeakiola was moved to the defensive backfield to try and ease the load at a less physical position. However, with the team struggling to fill his void at SPUR, he resumed the mantle against UTSA and has remained one of ASU's most sure-handed defenders in the weeks following at that role.
Moeakiola, out of Euless, Tex., served as a team co-captain while starting 12 games during the 2015 season. He is one of the team's most active members in the community, having spent time volunteering as one of a select handful of players to visit a local children's hospital in El Paso for the team's Sun Bowl appearance in 2014 and spending an afternoon with several young boys and girls. He has always represented himself and Sun Devil Athletics in a positive manner, understands the value of something greater than himself, and knows how to handle that added responsibility.
Moeakiola is a four-year starter and 2014 Pac-12 Honorable Mention Selection. He has 171 tackles in his career at ASU with 17.5 coming for a poss. He also has two fumble recoveries, a fumble forced and has defended 18 passes in that career and already has a career-high eight pass defenses this season.
Academically, Moeakiola has already earned his bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and is competing in 2016 as a graduate student in ASU"s Sports Law and Business (MSLB) program. He finished his undergraduate career with a 3.17 GPA and was named a 2014 and 2015 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention Selection.
Moeakiola becomes the seventh Sun Devil to be named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award over the past four years, a total that leads the nation in that span.
To be eligible for the Senior CLASS Award, student-athletes must be an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have achievements in four areas of success: community, classroom, character, and competition. The 30 candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, whose names will be placed on the official ballot for media, coaches, and fans nationwide to vote. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
This season, Moeakiola is seventh on the team with 23 total tackles while leading the team with eight passes defensed along with an interception (though he missed the season opener). Following the Cal contest, Moeakiola was named Lott IMPACT Player of the Week for his performance. In the fourth quarter, Moeakiola intercepted quarterback Davis Webb and returned it for a touchdown to secure the victory for the Sun Devils. He added five solo tackles and one batted down pass in the effort. Moeakiola is the first Sun Devil to win the Lott IMPACT Player or the Week award since former safety Alden Darby in September of 2013.
Showing off his team-first attitude, Moeakiola has made the transition back to the team's SPUR linebacker position after being moved to safety prior to the season. After battling shoulder problems for much of his career, Moeakiola was moved to the defensive backfield to try and ease the load at a less physical position. However, with the team struggling to fill his void at SPUR, he resumed the mantle against UTSA and has remained one of ASU's most sure-handed defenders in the weeks following at that role.
Moeakiola, out of Euless, Tex., served as a team co-captain while starting 12 games during the 2015 season. He is one of the team's most active members in the community, having spent time volunteering as one of a select handful of players to visit a local children's hospital in El Paso for the team's Sun Bowl appearance in 2014 and spending an afternoon with several young boys and girls. He has always represented himself and Sun Devil Athletics in a positive manner, understands the value of something greater than himself, and knows how to handle that added responsibility.
Moeakiola is a four-year starter and 2014 Pac-12 Honorable Mention Selection. He has 171 tackles in his career at ASU with 17.5 coming for a poss. He also has two fumble recoveries, a fumble forced and has defended 18 passes in that career and already has a career-high eight pass defenses this season.
Academically, Moeakiola has already earned his bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and is competing in 2016 as a graduate student in ASU"s Sports Law and Business (MSLB) program. He finished his undergraduate career with a 3.17 GPA and was named a 2014 and 2015 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention Selection.