How Sione Finefeuiaki’s Versatility Will Help Oklahoma State in 2017

Junior college transfer Sione Finefeuiaki was en route from the west coast and arrived on the OSU campus on Thursday, cowboy back’s coach Jason McEndoo said on Thursday at the golf media outing at Karsten Creek.

Finefeuiaki, a 2017 signee from College of San Mateo, doesn’t arrive with the same buzz of a Tylan Wallace or Jelani Woods — but his role for the Cowboys in 2017 might be one of the most important for OSU to sustain its success of running the ball, specifically outside the tackles.

“Sione’s an intriguing guy because he probably fits that traditional fullback role, so he fits more of a (Zac) Veatch role … the thing that really drew me to him was that I felt like he was a good fit for our offense and what we’re doing.”

In recent years since the cowboy back position has been in early deployment stages, OSU has boasted a duo of a pass catcher (Blake Jarwin) and a lead blocker (Zac Veatch). McEndoo believes Finefeuiaki will fill the latter role well initially given his size, and remains confident he could evolve into a dual-threat player given his versatility and success at San Mateo.

“That guy is a hybrid guy. He’s the lead back on one play, then he’s split out and he’s in the slot catching the ball then he’s lined up somewhere else. We’re always moving those guys. I mean, his background: His first year at San Mateo he was a linebacker, then he got moved to fullback and then ended up being a first-team junior college all-american fullback.”

Expectations will be high for Finefeuiaki, who will likely be called upon to contribute from day one. And McEndoo seems confident he can make an impact with his dedication to improvement and work ethic that earned him a spot on the Cowboy roster.

If he can learn to acclimate himself to the Oklahoma heat, that is.

I come from Cali where the weather is beautiful you know? So coming to Oklahoma.. is like damn! It's like I'm in Tonga in the Summer! #HOT

— Sione L. Finefeuiaki (@sione_9) July 27, 2017