The party was just getting over in Hawai’i when Realdawg.com had more of a chance to talk with the newest Husky commit, Fa’atui Tuitele of St. Louis High School.
“We just wanted to get together as a family”, the 6-3, 285 lb. defensive tackle said of the dinner party with his family and close friends, “It was just something we planned — we didn’t want to do some big media thing and I know no one was expecting it to happen today.”
During the get-together, “Tui” got up and stood with his father Justin, mother Loteira, and sister Era to read the announcement he made on Twitter
When he got to the part where he spoke about being a young boy and, sometimes, not wanting to have to go run “…I know I don’t say all the time that I’m sorry for that, but…”, his voice cracked, tears welled up, and he began to struggle to get through the rest of his speech, continuing on by saying “Thank you guys for being God’s greatest gift a child could ever receive…I love you guys very much.”
It was a very moving and heartfelt moment for this young football star, but one that was captured on the video below.
“My parents are my backbone”, he would say later, “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them and what they’ve done for me.”
This is a very tigh-knit family and this decision didn’t come easy for Tui, “At first I didn’t know if I was going to go to UDub and was looking at other schools”, he explained, “But my whole family loved it…when I was up there I had real strong emotions. I think I just wanted to go through the whole process though…things just changed.
“I talked to Coach Malloe and Coach Petersen almost everyday and Coach Malloe understands what it’s like being from Hawai’i and being away from home. I know he’s going to be by my side all the way through.”
Tui also called Washington “Unmatched” when it came to the education he can get, aside from just great football.
Coming into the Class of 2019, Tui said he’s been talking to guys like Jacob Bandes, Sama Paama, Miki Ah You, Tim Horn, and Julius Buelow, “I have played against all those guys (in Hawai’i) he said, “I can’t wait to get there and play and represent with the kids from home on the same team now.”
He’s also going to do some recruiting at St. Louis on 2020 guys who are being recruited by Washington; Nick Herbig, Jordan Botelho, and Stanley McKenzie.
Tuitele is ranked 4th in the country overall as a DL and turned down offers from schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Stanford, Oregon, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and so many more (totaling 36) that is becomes a who’s who of Power 5 programs. Tuitele is ranked 4th in the country overall as a DL and turned down offers from schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Stanford, Oregon, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and so many more (totaling 36) that is becomes a who’s who of Power 5 programs.
He knows how important his commitment is and how highly-rated this defensive line class is right now — he also has his sights set on winning a national title at Washington.
And, let’s face it, the top player out of Hawai’i who happens to play for St. Louis High School knows a little something about winning championships.
St. Louis hasn’t lost a game in three years, and is going for their third consecutive state championship this weekend against Mililani.
What makes Fa’atui Tuitele so special as a player and what is Washington getting?
He has it all…great first step, big, fast, physical, high motor, plays with high-intensity, and plays with a ‘tude. Tui has tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage, but is just, flat out a fierce and dominating competitor. At one time Tuitele was a 5-star prospect (and should be still).
Off the field? He’s a genuine, soft-spoken, gentle spirit who loves the Lord and believes in the value of strong relationships; whether they be with his family, or his teammates, or his coaches. Washington has landed a true leader on and off the field in the Class fo 2019.
Video of the Live Stream of Tui’s Announcement
