Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV

24 Starr Fuimaono

Starr Fuimaono
  • Linebacker
  • Grade: Senior
  • Height: 6′0″
  • Weight: 220 lbs
Greene's Take: A senior who has dealt with more than his fair share of injury issues in recent years, Fuimaono posted a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss as a junior and will be expected to help shore up a run defense that struggled mightily in 2009.

UNLV: A quick, talented, experienced defender with outstanding natural instincts ... A tackling machine who has been dogged by injuries throughout his college career ... Awarded an additional season of eligibility after seeing two seasons cut short by injuries ... Slowed during 2010 spring practice while recovering from a hamstring strain ... A Preseason Third Team All-MWC selection by Phil Steele's ... The younger brother of former UNLV nose guard Howie Fuimaono, whom he got to play alongside with in 2006 ... Last name is pronounced "FUEY-mah-OH-no."

2009: Played in 11 games, starting nine ... Changed his jersey number from 14 to 24 before season ... Finished third on team with 67 tackles ... Ranked second with 4.5 tackles for loss ... Reached double digits for tackles four times, including three of the first four games ... Had a sack and 11 tackles in season-opening victory over Sacramento State ... Followed that up with 12 takedowns vs. Oregon State, which included eight solo stops ... Also had 11 tackles at Wyoming and 12 at Air Force as part of conference play ... A preseason Third Team All-MWC selection by Phil Steele's despite sitting out spring ball while recovering from knee surgery.

2008: Injured his left knee at Utah in Game Two and was forced to miss the rest of the season ... Was off to a blistering start, opening his junior season with a career-high 14 tackles, including nine solo stops, against Utah State.

2007: Started first nine games of season before suffering season-ending shoulder injury at Wyoming, which required surgery ... Despite missing a quarter of season he finished third on team with 68 tackles, including four for loss ... Posted 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery ... Thrice posted nine total tackles (UNR, BYU and CSU) ... Had six takedowns, including a sack in season-opening win at Utah State.

2006: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in 10 games, including starting four ... Made an immediate impact in the secondary and finished with 29 total tackles ... Broke up two passes to go with one forced fumble ... Became the first freshman in school history to return a fumble for a positive gain ... Against TCU he picked up a fumble caused by brother Howie and was credited for eight yards.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of Bonita Vista HS located in Chula Vista ... A three-year letterwinner for the Barons under coach Carl Parrick ... Helped the Barons to three consecutive Mesa League championships ... Was an all-conference and all-league selection as a defensive back ... Also played running back, carrying the ball 144 times for 1,085 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Dangerous as a kick returner as well, bringing back six punts for scores in his last two years ... Also earned one letter in track.

PERSONAL: Starr Maiu'u Fuimaono was born on April 19, 1988, in Compton, CA ... The son of Maiu'u and Sisa Fuimaono ... Has three brothers, Howie, Mark and Sean, and two sisters, Fina and Melinda ... Chose UNLV over BYU, Washington and UNR ... Majoring in university studies.

--Courtesy of UNLVRebels.com