Cougs Daily

Australia Native Sani Tuala Brings Star Potential to BYU

Sani Tuala is brand new to football but he quickly became a coveted recruit

Casey Lundquist

On the eve of national signing day, JUCO defensive end prospect Sani Tuala committed to BYU. Tuala is now officially signed. Tuala, a native of Australia, has three years of eligibility remaining. Tuala is as physically gifted as anyone in BYU's recruiting class. He is listed at 6'5, 265 pounds and he runs a 4.55 forty-yard dash. Tuala is merely scratching the surface of what he can become.

Although he is very new to the game of football, he brings star potential to BYU. He could be the pass rusher that BYU fans have been waiting for.

Tuala came to the United States to play football and his gamble paid off. He became one of the fastest rising prospects out West in this recruiting cylce. Since he started playing football for the first time five months ago, Tuala picked up scholarship offers from BYU, Washington, Utah, Cal, Houston, Hawaii, Eastern Michigan, and North Texas. Washington and Utah were pushing for an official visit, but BYU was able to hold off the competition and get Tuala on board.

Tuala's athleticism shows up on his freshman film from Citrus Junior College. He is quick off the line of scrimmage and he was able to create havoc without refined technique. With more development, he could be a difference maker for BYU in the Big 12. You can watch Tuala's freshman film below.

The Cougars were in need of more edge rushers and Tuala fits that description. After some time learning Jay Hill's scheme, he could factor into the rotation early in his BYU career.

Tuala's Unique Path to College Football

Five months ago, Sani Tuala packed his bags and moved from Sydney, Australia to California to play football for Citrus Junior College. He grew up playing basketball and rugby, but he had never put on pads or played football. Tuala, who is listed at 6'5 and 250 pounds, believed that his athleticism and ideal football frame would translate to the football field. Turns out, he was right. After just one season at the JUCO level, he started to attract the attention of various colleges, including BYU.

The Cougars hosted Sani on an official visit and his parents were able to make the trip from Australia. That visit was enough to convince Tuala that BYU was the place for him.

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Casey Lundquist
CASEY LUNDQUIST

Casey Lundquist is the publisher and lead editor of Cougs Daily. He has covered BYU athletics for the last four years. During that time, he has published over 2,000 stories that have reached more than three million people.

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