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Their father, Lihai, worked decades of graveyard shifts at Sara Lee. Their mother, Petisili, cared for nine children while sewing blankets to sell on the side.
To understand how Sunia Tauteoli managed 92 tackles in one season, 52 credit hours in one year and two jobs at one time, his brother John said, "I think you just have to know my family."
Utah State fans may remember Tauteoli as the expected contributor who reneged on his commitment to Matt Wells last year.
But it wasn't Tauteoli's only commitment.
Although Aggie coaches had hoped Tauteoli would complete his associate degree in one year and become eligible for the 2014 season, Tauteoli had another concern: his family.
After his standout freshman campaign at Snow College, he chose to work that summer, mentoring troubled foster children during the day and advising youth at the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center at night.
The Tauteolis lacked transportation, John said, and Sunia saved his earnings to buy a 2007 Chrysler Aspen that his parents now drive.
"He had maybe a couple hours of sleep and he would go to his next job," said John, who remembers getting a call from his younger brother the night before he asked Utah State for his release.
"I could just hear it in his voice: He was trying to figure out exactly what he wanted to do and what would be best for our parents."
Tauteoli finished up at Salt Lake Community College last fall as his parents took over payments on the SUV.
He enrolled at Utah on a football scholarship.
And Utah's staff counted its blessings.
Defensive coordinator John Pease told The Tribune in February that the tape from Tauteoli's 2013 season — 92 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception — called to mind five-time Pro Bowler Sam Mills.
And yet while Tauteoli's talent is such that linebackers coach Justin Ena expects him to contend for playing time in a crowded field this fall, he'll be 24 before he appears in a Division I game.
He graduated from East High way back in 2009, along with Utah junior defensive tackle and longtime friend Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, and then served a two-year LDS Church mission to Houston.
To put his age in perspective: He once played in a prep 7-on-7 tournament with ex-Utes Nate Orchard and Quade Chappuis.
It's not that he was slow to develop. Far from it, John said.
Growing up, Tauteoli would wrestle with John's friends — two years older — and pin them, said John, who is currently studying psychology at the U. after an injury derailed his own college football career.
"He would never back down to anything. Even, sometimes, to me."
But although Tauteoli starred at East as a linebacker and running back, John said an ankle injury kept him from reaching his full potential.
It wasn't until 2013 that coaches saw what they see now: He's quick. He's not the 6 feet he's listed at, but he's powerful. And most of all, Ena said, he's relentless.
"He's one of those guys that you wish your daughter would date because he's such a good, respectful young man, but then he gets on the field and a switch flips, and he's out for blood."
So geeked was Tauteoli for his return to football that he pulled his hamstring running the 40 in offseason conditioning.
Of his Jekyll and Hyde persona, Tauteoli said with his easy smile and merry eyes, "I change during the night, you know?"
Off the field, he's described as a merciless comedian who'll make his friends laugh and cry at the same time.
"Don't let him fool you with that innocent face," said sophomore defensive tackle Beaver Ho Ching, who served with Tauteoli in Houston. "… He'll put you through the ringer."
Tauteoli still keeps in touch with one of the foster children he helped last summer, now about 14.
The boy liked to run, Tauteoli said, and the other counselors didn't.
"He had like a pride in him, saying that no one's going to catch him," Tauteoli said.
He saw something of himself in the wary boy, and he's proud that he was able to earn his trust.
Because, of course, the boy was wrong. Tauteoli could catch him.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
Sunia Tauteoli
Birthdate • April 30, 1991
High school • East High, played running back and linebacker
Junior college • Recorded 92 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss at Snow before signing with Utah State in January