Get to know Utah's Sione Vaki, Lions' fourth-round draft pick

Sione Vaki is a multidimensional weapon who was selected by the Lions in the fourth round, No. 132 overall, on Day 3 of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

Vaki (5-foot-11, 210 pounds), who grew up in the Bay Area (Antioch, California), is listed as a safety on some draft sites and as a running back on others. He told reporters Saturday that he met with Detroit's offensive coaches, indicating that the Lions drafted him to play on that side of the ball.

He is the youngest of 11 children and initially attended Antioch High School for his freshman and sophomore seasons, where he shared a backfield with Pittsburgh Steelers running back and former first-round pick Najee Harris.

Vaki was named NorCal Player of the Year after guiding Liberty High School — where he attended his junior and senior years — to its first state title. He was a three-star recruit and the No. 72 safety in the 2019 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Vaki signed with Utah in 2019 but didn't enroll until 2022, after embarking on a three-year religious mission in Tonga.

The Sione Vaki file

Birthplace: Antioch, California

High school: Liberty High

College: Utah

College major: Sociology

2023 stats

▶ Running back: 42 carries, 317 yards (7.5 average), two touchdowns; 11 receptions, 203 yards (18.5 average), three touchdowns

▶ Safety: 51 tackles; in coverage, allowed 20 receptions on 29 targets with one interception, one pass breakup, one touchdown allowed and an opposing passer rating of 88.0

Accolades: 2023 Utah team captain, 2023 first-team All-Pac 12, 2023 second-team All-American, 2023 Senior Bowl, 2023 finalist for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and Paul Hornung Award

Quotable: "Overall, Vaki plays with the physicality and downhill speed NFL coaches desire at safety, but his fluidity and instincts in coverage don’t match up and will hinder his chances of earning steady defensive snaps at the next level. His potential as a core special teamer could be his ticket to an NFL roster spot," said Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

Combine measurements

Hand: 8⅝ inches

Arm: 29⅛ inches

Wingspan: 71⅛ inches

40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds (20th of 22 running backs); 20-yard 2.67; 10-yard 1.6

Vertical: 39½ inches (third out of 22)

Broad jump: 10 feet, 5 inches (sixth out of 21)

Bench press: 20 reps (ninth out of 12)

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi