Names can be tricky. Believe me, I know.
My name is Xoel Cardenas; pronounced “Sho-EL Kar-deh-nahss.” I have heard everything from “Zoel” for my first name, to “Car-dee-naas” and “Car-day-nāz” for my last name.
While my own name throws some people off, the list of the 2015 BYU football commits may throw people off as well because we may not be too familiar with them.
Getting a name wrong is always embarrassing. But no need to worry. We are here to help you with pronouncing the names of the newest Cougars.
Here is a pronunciation guide for the names of the 2015 BYU football commits:
Name: Kieffer Longson
Pronunciation: Key-fur
Who is he?: A three-star offensive guard from Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, California.
Name: Akile Davis
Pronunciation: ah-KEY-lay
Who is he?: A three-star wide receiver from DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas.
Name: Micah Simon
Pronunciation: My-Kuh
Who is he?: A two-star “duel-threat quarterback/athlete” from Bishop Dunne Catholic in Dallas.
Name: Beau Hoge
Pronunciation: Bo h-AH-j
Who is he?: The son of former NFL running back and current ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, Beau is a three-star quarterback from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Name: JJ Nwigwe
Pronunciation: new-WIG-wee
Who is he?: A two-star offensive guard from Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall, Texas.
Name: David Lui
Pronunciation: Loo-ee
Who is he?: A three-star defensive tackle from Pittsburg Senior High School in Pittsburg, California.
Name: Tevita Mo’unga
Pronunciation: Mo-OONG-ah
Who is he?: A three-star defensive tackle from View Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California.
Name: Mika Tafua
Pronunciation: MEE-Kuh Tah-FOO-ah
Who is he?: A three-star defensive end from Kamehameha Secondary Schools in Maui, Hawaii.
Name: Devin Kaufusi
Pronunciation: Kaw-FOO-see
Who is he?: A three-star linebacker from Timpview High School in Provo.
Name: Jeremiah Ieremia
Pronunciation: Ear-a-ME-ah
Who is he?: A three-star outside linebacker from Hurricane High School in Hurricane.
Name: Dayan Lake
Pronunciation: DIE-un
Who is he?: A three-star corner back from Northridge High in Layton.
Name: Demetrius Davis
Pronunciation: Dee-mee-tree-us
Who is he?: A two-star offensive guard from Pleasant Grove High School in Pleasant Grove.
Name: Jacob Jimenez
Pronunciation: Hem-EN-ez
Who is he?: A two-star offensive tackle from Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas.
Name: Motekiai Taukolo Langi
Pronunciation: Mo-tay-KEY-eye Tahk-OH-lo LONG-ee
Who is he?: A 6-foot, 7-inch, 410-pound OL/DL from Tonga.
Name: Eric Takenaka
Pronunciation: Talk-ah-knock-ah
Who is he?: A two-star defensive back transfer from Snow College.
Name: Squally Canada
Pronunciation: Squaw-lee
Who is he?: A 5-10, 192 running back from Milpitas, California, transferred to BYU from Washington state who will sit out the 2015 season due to transfer rules.
Our thanks to BYU football media relations for the information.
Xoel CÀrdenas is a writer with Deseret News sports. Xoel is also a columnist at SB Nation, the largest sports blog site in the country, where he covers FC Barcelona. Follow him on Twitter @XoelCardenas.