By Kirk Kern
Zyrus Fiaseu checked one long-term goal off his list last fall when his Liberty High football team beat Bishop Gorman in the state playoffs on their way to a state title. On Sunday, he achieved another goal as he committed to play Division i college football at San Diego State.
But was one goal more important than the other? He says no.
“I don’t find committing or beating Gorman more important than each other because both were long term goals I had as a child,” he said.
Fiaseu will enter his senior season at Liberty this fall as a three-year starter on the defending state champions. He’s been an outstanding two-way player at running back and linebacker. Last season, he gained 1,030 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry, and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. At linebacker, he recorded 32 total tackles and intercepted three passes.
At San Diego State, he will play linebacker on a team that regularly has one of the top defenses in the Mountain West Conference. Last year’s team was No. 2 nationally against the rush, averaging 75.4 yards per game, and scoring defense, allowing only 12.7 points per game, However, Aztec head coach Rocky Long left the program after nine years and an 81-38 record. Brady Hoke, who initially hired Long as his defensive coordinator during his first stint as San Diego State coach, has returned.
“Although Rocky Long was a great coach, the players worked hard and executed what needed to be done,” Fiaseu said. “So if they keep doing that then they’ll have the same or better outcome.”
Fiaseu had more than 20 scholarship offers and recently pared that list down to San Diego State, Hawaii, Boise State and UNLV.
“The factors that led me to choose San Diego State was were the education I’d be getting and the football team I’d be playing for,” he said. “And where I wanted to spend the next 4-5 years.”
He will see some familiar faces once he arrives in San Diego next year. The Aztecs have recruited very well in the Las Vegas Valley as of late and already have two former Liberty players in safety Alan Mwata and receiver Ethan Dedeaux. Other players with Las Vegas roots include tight end Daniel Bellinger (Palo Verde), receiver Elijah Kothe (Faith Lutheran), Isaiah Macklin (Green Valley) and linebacker Kayvon Lakes (Canyon Springs).
“I talked to my closest friends that I call my brothers around Vegas before I made my decision,” he said.
Fiaseu is the second Liberty player to commit to a Division I school this month as Zephaniah Maea committed to University of Colorado on June 1. Maea also had San Diego State, along with Boise State, in his top three before deciding to play for the Buffaloes.
Fiaseu is listed by 247Sports.com as the No. 8 ranked player in Nevada going into this season and a three star prospect.