Four-Star Edge Naki Tuakoi Signs with BYU
On Wednesday, BYU announced the signing of Oakland, California native Naki Tuakoi. Tuakoi, a four-star prospect according to Rivals and ESPN, committed to BYU over competing offers from Stanford, Oregon, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC, Utah, Michigan State, Maryland, Arizona, and Arizona State among others.
Tuakoi kept his recruitment very quiet throughout the process. He backed off his Stanford commitment in October. He quietly took an official visit to BYU before locking in his commitment.
Tuakoi kept things so quiet, in fact, that few BYU fans knew about him before signing day in December. Even though he's flown relatively under the radar, Tuakoi is a great player that could factor in early in his BYU career. Tuakoi is listed as an edge by 247Sports. BYU announced him as a linebacker. Depending on his physical development, he could end up as a defensive end or a linebacker. Either way, his physicality and athleticism will make him an asset in Jay Hill's. Tuakoi is an important piece of a really impressive defensive class.
Tuakoi is part of a strong close to the defensive recruiting class. Over the last few months, BYU has added multiple future contributors along the defensive line.
Tuakoi is the second four-star recruit in as many recruiting classes to flip their commitment from Stanford to BYU. Last year, BYU signed Texas running back LJ Martin. That turned out to be a great addition for the Cougars. Martin made an immediate impact. He finished as BYU's leading rusher despite missing multiple games due to injury.
Follow us for future coverage:
Facebook - @CougsDaily
Twitter - @Cougs_Daily and Casey Lundquist at @casey_lundquist
Instagram - @cougs_daily