Harvey Unga

Harvey Unga
refer to caption
Unga in 2009
BYU Cougars
Position:Running backs coach
Personal information
Born: (1987-01-18) January 18, 1987 (age 37)
Kahuku, Hawaii, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Timpview (Provo, Utah)
College:Brigham Young
Supplemental draft:2010 / round: 7
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • BYU (2016–2019)
    Graduate assistant
  • BYU (2020–present)
    Running backs coach
Career highlights and awards
  • MW Freshman of the Year (2007)
  • First-team All-MW (2009)
  • 2× Second-team All-MW (2007, 2008)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

William Harvey Unga (born January 18, 1987) is an American former professional football fullback and the current running backs coach for the Brigham Young University football team. He was selected by the Chicago Bears with a seventh round pick in the 2010 NFL supplemental draft. He played college football at Brigham Young where he became the school's second all-time leading rusher.

College career

After the season-opener against the Arizona Wildcats in 2007, Unga earned the Mountain West Conference (MWC) offensive player of the week award. He had gained 194 all-purpose yards, with 127 yards coming from receptions. Unga became the starting running back in 2007 due to an injury to Fui Vakapuna in the prior season. As a starter, Harvey rushed for over 1,000 yards in just 11 games, with this mark reached in the second quarter against their in-state rivals, Utah, on November 24, 2007. He was named the MWC Freshman of the Year.[1][2] He had the second-most yards gained by a freshman in MWC history, and third among all freshman running backs in the nation in 2007.[3]

In 2009, Unga rushed for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns, and became the school's second all-time leading rusher with 3,455 yards. He earned first-team All-MWC honors following the season.[4]

On April 16, 2010, Unga voluntarily withdrew from BYU after violating its honor code.[4]

Professional career

Supplemental draft

Unga declared for the NFL supplemental draft that took place on July 15, 2010.[5] He worked out for 20 NFL teams on July 8 in Utah.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m) 		244 lb
(111 kg) 		4.59 s 1.60 s 4.39 s 35 in
(0.89 m)		 9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)		 19 reps
All values from workout on July 8.[6]

Chicago Bears

Unga was selected by the Chicago Bears with a seventh round selection in the 2010 supplemental draft.[7][8] He was signed to a four-year contract on July 21, 2010.[9]

On August 31, 2011 the Bears received a roster exemption for Unga, who had left the team twice during the preseason for personal reasons.[10] He was placed on the reserve/left squad list on September 20, 2011. Following the 2011 season, Unga was reinstated to the active roster on April 16, 2012.[11]

On August 27, 2012, Unga was waived by the Bears.[12] He was later placed on the practice squad.[13] He was once again waived on October 9, and replaced by Kamar Aiken.[14] On December 4, Unga was brought back to the Bears practice squad.[15] On December 28, Unga was elevated to the active roster.[16] On August 30, 2013, Unga was released.[17] On September 1, Unga was re-signed to the Bears practice squad,[18] However a month later, on October 1, Unga was once again released from the team.[19]

Carolina Panthers

Unga signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 16, 2014.[20] The Panthers released Unga on August 24, 2014.[21]

BYU Cougars

Unga is currently serving as the running backs coach at BYU under head coach Kalani Sitake.[22] He was promoted to this position on March 19, 2020 after having worked as a graduate assistant and student assistant since 2015.

Personal life

Unga was born to Jackson and Theresa Unga. His father played running back for the BYU Cougars in the early 1980s.

Since July 16, 2010, he is married to Keilani (née Moeaki),[23] a former BYU women's basketball player,[24] and sister of former Chicago Bears tight end Tony Moeaki. The couple has a son, Jackson (born July 2010), and a daughter, Leila (born August 2011).[25]

References

  1. ^ "Unga named MWC Offensive Player of the Week". ksl.com. September 3, 2007. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  2. ^ Reynolds, Jeff (December 4, 2007). "Unga Named MWC Freshman of the Year". BYU Athletics. Archived from the original on April 5, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  3. ^ "Unga named MWC freshman of the year". ksl.com. December 5, 2007. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "BYU RB Unga leaving school". FoxSports. April 17, 2010. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  5. ^ Florio, Mike (June 16, 2010). "Harvey Unga heads to the supplemental draft". Profootballtalk.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Florio, Mike (July 8, 2010). "Twenty teams see Harvey Unga work out". Profootballtalk.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  7. ^ "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bears pick Unga; Price-Brent to Dallas". ESPN.com. July 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  9. ^ Dickson, Darnell (July 21, 2010). "BYU's Unga signs 4-year deal with Bears". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  10. ^ Jensen, Sean (August 31, 2011). "Bears receive roster exemption for Harvey Unga". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  11. ^ Wilson, Aaron (April 16, 2012). "Source: Harvey Unga reinstated from reserve/left squad list". scout.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  12. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 27, 2012). "Preseason finale was critical for Clutts". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  13. ^ Licensed, The (January 9, 2012). "Bears Announce 2012 Practice Squad". Windy City Gridiron. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  14. ^ Adam Oestmann. "Bears sign WR Aiken, release RB Unga | Chicago Bears Huddle". Chicagonow.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  15. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 4, 2012). "Bears sign DeCicco, waive Trahan". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  16. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 28, 2012). "Bears counting on defense to take ball away". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  17. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 30, 2013). "Bears cut 17 players, still have five to go". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  18. ^ Biggs, Brad (September 1, 2013). "Bears sign rookie DE Bass; QB Johnson joins practice squad". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  19. ^ Wright, Michael (October 1, 2013). "Bears add Cattouse, release Unga". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  20. ^ Wilkening, Mike (August 16, 2014). "Jaguars sign FB Harvey Unga, OT Cody Booth". Pro Football Talk. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  21. ^ "CB Mike Harris among 11 players released". Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  22. ^ "BYU running backs get their wish, former Cougar great Harvey Unga added to coaching staff". March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  23. ^ "Harvey Unga gets married". Daily Herald. July 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  24. ^ "Keilani Unga Athlete Profile | The Official Site of BYU Athletics". byucougars.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012.
  25. ^ "Keilani Unga works her way back for senior season after life-changing event". Deseret News. January 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.