Lopini Katoa is a Pass-Catching Back for BYU. Lopini's 2019 season ranks in the 25th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 107 plays — a developing rate for the RB.
Third-down weapon out of the backfield. Routes, hands, and separation in coverage define this role as much as rushing.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Etienne | Clemson | 2019 | 213 | 0.470 | 4.7 | 100.1 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Car | Rush Yds | Avg | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vsUtah | L12-30 | 19.5 | 3 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -0.58 |
| 2 | @Tennessee | W29-26 | 10.8 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0.63 |
| 3 | vsUSC | W30-27 | 13.1 | 1 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Car 11 · Rush Yds 51 · Avg 4.6 · Rush TD 1
| 5 |
| 5.0 |
| 0 |
| 2 |
| 2 |
| 0 |
| -0.17 |
| 4 | vsWashington | L19-45 | 18.3 | 5 | 13 | 2.6 | 0 | — | — | — | -0.23 |
| 5 | @Toledo | L21-28 | -13.7 | 4 | 27 | 6.8 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 0.23 |
| 7 | @South Florida | L23-27 | -9.8 | 11 | 73 | 6.6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.07 |
| 8 | vsBoise State | W28-25 | 8.1 | 12 | 37 | 3.1 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 0.07 |
| 10 | @Utah State | W42-14 | -4.3 | 7 | 42 | 6.0 | 1 | 4 | 129 | 0 | 1.53 |
| 11 | vsLiberty | W31-24 | -2.6 | 12 | 49 | 4.1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -0.01 |
| 13 | @Massachusetts | W56-24 | -34.6 | 7 | 34 | 4.9 | 1 | 3 | 38 | 1 | 0.75 |
| 14 | @San Diego State | L3-13 | 2.0 | 10 | 22 | 2.2 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 0 | 0.02 |
| 1 | vsHawai'i | L34-38 | -1.9 | 11 | 51 | 4.6 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0.32 |
