Ikaika Malloe went into Utah this week after having spent one day in California (Monday), and it didn’t take long for a 2021 offer to go out to one of the most up-and-coming defensive players in the state.
Vo’i Tunuufi is a 6-1, 265 lb. d-tackle, but if you go to a game at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah next fall, you might see him carrying the rock too.
“He played offensive guard last year and this year he’s going to play running back and defensive tackle”, Tunuufi’s coach, Brandon Mattich told Realdawg.com last evening, “He’s started since he was a freshman, and as a sophomore…by the time he’s a senior he’ll have been four-year starter.”
East High School has been kind to Washington where d-tackles are concerned; two years ago they signed Sam Taimani.
“It’s pretty crazy”, Tunuufi said of the offer, “It was very emotional for me…for personal reasons.”
He’s been in touch with Malloe for several months, and while Tunuufi already holds offers from Utah, BYU, Utah State, Hawai’i, and Liberty, the Huskies were ready to get involved once the final eye-test was completed yesterday at his school. Mattich set up a call between Malloe and Tunuufi and the die was cast.
“Coach Malloe…he’s a real cool guy”, Tunuufi said, “He’s been recruiting me since this past season and I just know he’s a real cool guy and a good coach.”
Tufuuni is very fast for his size (4.65) and the fact that he’s even putting in time at running back for his team should impress fans of former Husky, Vita Vea. He, too, played tailback in high school.
In fact, Tufuuni is a guy who’s watched Vea quite a bit, in addition to Danny Shelton. He knows Taimani and MJ Tafisi — and he said he is hoping to get up to Washington for an unofficial visit.
Tunuufi is like a more athletic type of Greg Gaines. He’s a little reminiscent of Mosiah Liu coming out of high school but, again, his athleticism just jumps off the screen when you see him on film. He’s very tenacious and uses his quickness and leverage to underneath linemen to shed blocks.
“I just try to play fast”, he said.
Right now he’s just 16 years old — he could put on at least 20 to 25 lbs. by the time he’s a senior and, with that athleticism, he’s going to be an unblockable force who causes centers to be more worried about blocking him than snapping the ball.
Now that Washington has offered, expect others to follow.
