Vavae Malepeai

Vavae Malepeai (born January 28, 1998) is a former American football running back. Malepeai played for the USC Trojans.

Early years
Malepeai was born in 1998 in Aiea, Hawaii. He played football at Mililani High School where he became one of the best running backs in Hawaii high school football history. He concluded his high school career with more rushing yards than any other player in state history.

College career
Malepeai enrolled at the University of Southern California in 2017. He was redshirted as a true freshman after suffering a broken shoulder blade in training camp. Despite having his season shortened due to injury, he led the 2019 USC Trojans football team with 503 rushing yards in eight games. His 2019 season was cut short by a knee injury. Malepeai later revealed that he had injured the knee in before the season began and played hurt, hoping he could fight through it.

In 2020, he again led USC in rushing yardage.

Personal life
A native of Hawaii, his three uncles, Silila, Tasi and Pulou Malepeai, all played college football for the Oregon Ducks.

In April of 2024 he became engaged to Anna Smith a former USC women’s soccer team goalkeeper. They plan to wed in 2025.