LOGAN, Utah – Dave Wilson, author of "Masterly Batting: 100 Great Test Innings," once said, "Sometimes life gives you a second chance, or even two. Not always, but sometimes. It's what you do with those second chances that counts."

Utah State senior defensive end Tipa Galeai (prounounced Tee-puh • Nah-lay-eye) was given a second chance, and has made the most of it.

Galeai began his collegiate career at TCU, but by way of his personal Twitter account, announced on July 3, 2017, that he was transferring to Utah State, writing, "Thank you TCU for the lessons & experiences! I'm grateful for Utah State on giving me an opportunity to go back to school!"

"When I left TCU, I felt like I didn't know what was next for me, or what I wanted to do," Galeai said. "I still wanted to play football, but how was I going to get back into school? A lot of choices were placed in front of me, but for some reason, Utah State was the one that stuck out to me the most. Utah State is exactly what brought me out of that bad position I was in, in my life."

Galeai, a 3-star recruit of TCU's 2015 class, had an immediate impact on the field for the Horned Frogs. As a true freshman, he recorded seven tackles in as many games, and he saw the field in 10 games a sophomore, recording 24 total tackles.

Now, he was making that same impact both on and off the field for the Aggies.

"Utah State means a lot to me, and now, it's home for me," Galeai said. "I feel like I belong in school and I am still a football player. I'm happy that I came here and I can't wait to finish off the rest of the season with the boys, especially with this being my senior season. I hope I can leave a mark or some sort of legacy for the young guys and for the little kids in Logan, as a public figure, to go to school, be successful and follow your dreams."

After transferring to Utah State, Galeai used his redshirt season in 2017, then earned second-team all-Mountain West honors as a junior. Playing in all 13 games for the Aggies a season ago, the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder ranked fifth on the team in tackles (64), while leading USU in both tackles for loss (14.0) and sacks (10.5).

Galeai's 10.5 sacks last season proved to be the most by an Aggie since 2005. He also led Utah State with three forced fumbles and seven quarterback hurries, to go along with two interceptions, three pass breakups and one blocked kick.

"I didn't know Tipa before I came here," said first-year Utah State defensive ends coach Bojay Filimoeatu. "I just watched him from afar, and being an alumnus, you are excited for guys like that. He's smart, well-mannered and respectful to all his teammates, and that what you want in a leader – a guy that's willing to put in the work and actually speak up when needed."

Senior defensive tackle Fua Leilua appreciates everything Galeai has done for him since they have been teammates and friends.

"He is a great teammate and even better friend," said Leilua, who is out for the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the season opener at Wake Forest. "He has always been there when I needed him. He was somebody I leaned on during this time while I've been trying to get used to not playing football."

Galeai has played in nine out of a possible of 10 games this season, tallying 38 tackles to rank seventh on the team. He has also recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and a team-best seven quarterback hurries.

Not bad for a player that is constantly getting double-teamed each time he steps on the field.

"You talk about Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears, they're double-teaming him every play, and that's what Tipa is getting, too," Filimoeatu said. "Teams are going to respect him. They want to get the ball out quick, or they're going to have the back block him with the tackle. It is up to me and the coaching staff, as well as our head coach and defensive coordinator, to find ways to use him and all of our best players."

Filimoeatu expects even greater things from Galeai as the season continues to progress.

"He is barely scratching the surface with what he can do," Filimoeatu said. "He is getting smart with all his drops and understanding coverages, which is the best part about Tipa. Understanding formations, understanding the run game and understanding just basic sets off of the offensive tackle, that is the biggest growth I have seen since I've been here. I am more excited about the rest of the way for the run game and the pass game with him, because I know that he's going to excel in both of them."

The native of Euless, Texas, was ranked the No. 5 defensive end in Texas and No. 67 nationally for his position by Scout.com after earning first-team District 7-6A and honorable-mention all-state honors as a prep senior at Trinity High School. Galeai made the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team with 52 tackles, including 15 for loss and eight sacks, and 17 quarterback pressures.

Utah State was the first to offer Galeai out of high school, but he decided to turn it down, along with offers from Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Virginia, and chose TCU.
 
"I knew the coaches at Utah State," Galeai said. "Waqa (Damuni) grew up with my dad, and I knew coach Frank (Maile) really well. I remember coach (Matt) Wells sitting me down, even though I was already committed and was getting ready to go to signing day, and he told me to give him a call if I ever needed him one day. I did, and he got me here."

In becoming an Aggie, Galeai followed in the footsteps of his brother, Salanoa, who was a long snapper at Utah State from 2014-15.

In his short time at Utah State, Galeai has already had some pretty memorable moments, including returning an interception 56 yards for a touchdown in the Aggies' 45-20 win at BYU on Oct. 5, 2018.

He ended his junior campaign in emphatic fashion, recording six tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 tackles, to go along with a forced fumble, as he played in just the second half of Utah State's 52-13 win over North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 15.

Galeai has even higher expectations for how he wants to finish his Aggie career.

"It's just like every year on a sports team," he said. "You work so hard, you do so much, you invest so much of your time, you sacrifice your body, and our ultimate goal is to win out and get this Mountain West championship. We can go to a bowl game, which is cool, but I honestly just have my eyes on this Mountain West championship right now. There are teams in our way, so hard work will be what gets the job done, and I can't wait to take these boys on this ride with me the rest of the season."'

The son of Lemaefe and Tania Galeai is majoring in communications and is on track to graduate this December. After that, he wants a shot at playing in the NFL.

"Tipa is a hard worker on and off the field," Filimoeatu said. "One thing about him is he has grown up with his class work and doing the right things."

And, making the most of his second chance.

For Aggie football ticket information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Fans can also buy their tickets in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or online by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" tab at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

-USU-