College Football

Washington Huskies dismiss DE Pio Vatuvei from team

The sophomore defensive end, widely considered a potential 2013 starter, was kicked off the Huskies for an unspecified violation of team rules.

By Patrick Vint Jul 30, 2013, 9:35pm EDT

Washington Huskies sophomore defensive end Pio Vatuvei has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules, according to a statement released by head coach Steve Sarkisian (via Sports Radio KJR):

We hold our student-athletes to a high standard on and off the field, and our players are made aware of that from the moment we begin recruiting them," Sarkisian said. "The University of Washington is about the team, and is bigger than one individual player. Pio had numerous opportunities to display behavior consistent with the values of our program, and unfortunately he fell short of our standards. We wish him the best of luck moving forward."

Vatuvei was a consensus four-star defensive end recruit out of Patterson, CA in 2012, with offers from across the Pac-12. He initially committed to Southern Cal before changing his mind on Signing Day and pledging himself to Washington.

Vatuvei shirked off a redshirt in his first season at UW, starting one game and recording seven tackles in limited action. He was widely considered a contender for a starting spot in the 2013 Huskies defense.