This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • Better late than never.
If ever a phrase summed up the career of BYU tight end Devin Mahina, it might be that one. Words such as perseverance, dedication and unwavering commitment also apply.
Mahina, one of 26 BYU seniors who will be honored on Saturday when the Cougars play their final home game of the 2014 season at LaVell Edwards Stadium against Savannah State (1 p.m. MST, BYUtv), has finally been given the chance to shine in the last half-dozen or so games of his lengthy career.
And shine he has.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior caught just four passes for 34 yards the first five games of the season. However, he caught four passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns on Oct. 9 against Central Florida, and has emerged as one of fill-in quarterback Christian Stewart's favorite targets the second half of the season.
He caught a third touchdown in last week's 42-23 win over UNLV, dragging a defender the last few yards into the end zone.
"These last couple of games have been awesome for me," the humble, soft-spoken Mahina acknowledged, after some prodding. "To score a couple touchdowns, to be able to hang out with my friends, to be a big part of the team."
Mahina has been around the program longer than any player who will receive a senior blanket before Saturday's game, having signed with the program in 2007 out of Upland High in Southern California. He served a two-year church mission to Madagascar and returned to BYU in 2010 and made an immediate impact his freshman year, catching 11 passes for 118 yards.
But he suffered a small fracture in his neck in fall camp in 2011 and was forced to redshirt that year. He played in nine games as a sophomore and 10 as a junior, but his career never really took off until a few games ago.
"It was rough the first couple of years," Mahina said. "My freshman year, I thought I did pretty well, and then going into the next season, breaking my neck was obviously hard. From just kind of being in the shadows, and then to re-emerge and show that I can still play is an awesome feeling."
Mahina graduated last August with a degree in advertising, and has been the fireside coordinator this fall, setting up the religious services the team participates in the nights before games. He plans to give the NFL a shot next spring.
"If not [picked up by a pro team], I will go get a regular job like everybody else," he said.
Briefly
If the Cougars get a big lead on Saturday, as expected, freshman McCoy Hill will be the first substitute in at quarterback, followed by fellow freshman Hunter Moore, who runs the scout team in practices. … The only BYU player who is questionable for the game is linebacker Fred Warner, who has a sore back. … This is 0-11 Savannah State's final game of the season. The Tigers haven't had a bye since Sept. 20.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Savannah State at BYU
O Saturday, 1 p.m.
TV • BYUtv —
BYU's 2014 senior class
• Michael Alisa, LB
• Ross Apo, WR
• Scott Arellano, P
• Craig Bills, S
• Josh Carter, OL
• Robertson Daniel, CB
• Tim Duran**, OL
• Alani Fua, LB
• Edward Fusi, OL
• Harvey Jackson*, S
• Jordan Johnson, CB
• Marques Johnson, DL
• Solomone Kafu, OL
• Paul Lasike, RB
• Quinn Lawlor, OL
• Jordan Leslie*, WR
• Devin Mahina*, TE
• Keanu Nelson*, WR
• Kevin O'Mary, DS
• Skye PoVey, S
• Christian Stewart, QB
• Zac Stout, LB
• Brock Stringham**, OL
• Brett Thompson**, WR
• De'Ondre Wesley, OL
• Michael Yeck, OL
* — Leslie, Jackson, Mahina and Nelson are graduate students
** — Duran, Stringham and Thompson did not finish season due to injury