JUCO Defensive End Sani Tuala Commits to BYU

Tuala committed to the Cougars over a growing list of Power Four suitors

On the eve of national signing day, JUCO defensive end prospect Sani Tuala committed to BYU. 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.

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 was pushing for an official visit, but BYU was able to hold off the competition and get Tuala on board.

COMMITTED!!!💯💫@BYUfootball @kalanifsitake @CoachJayHill @Coach_Popp @Justin__Ena @Pouha91 @CitrusFootball @Coach_Hayashi @ant_arguello @KevinPuckettJr @JUCOFFrenzy pic.twitter.com/p2xc7NI7qD

— Sani Tuala (@Sani_Tuala) December 20, 2023

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 are 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 is part of an impressive defensive line class for BYU. Tuala has the potential to be a great pass rusher once he acclimates to the speed of Power Four college football. It's clear that BYU's new defensive staff is prioritizing the defensive line in this class. BYU has six defensive linemen committed in this class:

1. Devoux Tuataga
2. Adney Reid
3. Siosefa Brown
4. Dallin Johnson
5. Luke To'omalatai
6. Danny Saili
7. Sani Tuala

And BYU isn't done adding defensive linemen in this class. The Cougars are still in the running for players like Ephraim Asiata, Naki Tuakoi, and Kinilau Fonohema.

If BYU is able to land a few more players on that list, this could be the best defensive line class 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.

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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