Western Kentucky DL enters transfer portal after gaining eligibility

Western Kentucky defensive lineman Victory Vaka has entered the transfer portal after gaining eligibility, following an off-field matter that jeopardized his status. The situation arose after his mother, Sarah Mataele, passed away unexpectedly on April 2, prompting Vaka to take time off from the program to attend her funeral. An assistant strength coach contacted Vaka nine days before the funeral, demanding his return to Bowling Green by June.

Subsequently, his position coach reached out on May 26, and Travis Taylor, the chief of staff at Western Kentucky, informed Vaka and his agent that the program had decided to revoke his scholarship. Despite multiple teams showing interest in his transfer, NCAA rules prevented Vaka from using the portal due to his disciplinary dismissal for failing to report.

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