Defensive Lineman Kinilau Fonohema Picks BYU on Signing Day
BYU remains hot on the recruiting trail. On Wednesday, BYU priority target Kinilau Fonohema signed with the Cougars over fellow finalists Utah and Oregon State. Fonohema is a long, athletic defensive lineman that is listed at 6'5 and 220 pounds. He prepped just down the road from BYU's campus at Springville High School. Fonohema's running mate alongside the defensive line is BYU commit Dallin Johnson. Johnson, an interior defensive lineman, committed to BYU clear back in 2021. The two Springville teammates will remain teammates at the college level.
Fonohema, who took official visits to BYU and Utah over the last two weekends, has a very high ceiling. In a class full of great defensive line prospects, Fonohema could be one of the best. Depending on how he develops physically, he could be a long edge rusher or move inside to the interior of the defensive line. Fonohema's length and wrestling background helps him get leverage at the line of scrimmage.
Kinilau just wrapped up a successful senior campaign for Springville High School. He tallied 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 80 tackles, and 4 forced fumbles.
Fonohema is part of a dynamic defensive line class for BYU. It's clear that BYU's new defensive staff is prioritizing the defensive line in this class. BYU has eight defensive linemen committed in this class:
- Devoux Tuataga
- Adney Reid
- Siosefa Brown
- Dallin Johnson
- Luke To'omalatai
- Danny Saili
- Sani Tuala
- Kinilau Fonohema
Time will certainly tell, but this defensive line class has the potential to be one of the best in BYU history. When Kalani Sitake was hired as BYU's head coach, the expectations of the defensive line were elevated. During his tenure, the defensive line has never been able to live up to those lofty expectations. This is the kind of recruiting class that could turn things around in the defensive trenches.
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