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Reports: Local Athlete Siaki Ika Entering Transfer Portal From LSU

According to reports, former East High School star Siaki Ika is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal after leaving LSU. This could be huge for Utah as the Utes were one of his finalists last season
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According to reports, former East High School star Siaki Ika is in the move. 

After winning a national championship last season as a true freshman as a part of the defensive line rotation, Siaki is entering the transfer portal and searching for a new home. 

While the report by 247sports claims Ika "is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal," Sports Illustrated has not confirmed whether Ika is officially in the portal as of Wednesday morning.

Nov 23, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers nose tackle Siaki Ika (62) reacts to a play against Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

Nov 23, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers nose tackle Siaki Ika (62) reacts to a play against Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

Ika played in 13 games last season, showcasing his tremendous athleticism for a player of his size. Entering his sophomore season, he was supposed to be a key part, if not the major part, of LSU's defensive line. 

According to a report LSUCountry, "Coach Ed Orgeron spoke glowingly about Ika over the offseason and thought he could be the next great nose tackle in the LSU program."

But that never happened as Ika has become a backup rotational player for the Tigers this season. LSU switched from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3 in the offseason, which left little to be desired for the 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive tackle. Seniors Glen Logan and Neil Farrell as well as sophomore Joseph Evans have all handled the majority of the reps.

Now Ika is going to be looking for a new home and could be a massive coup if he were to somehow come back home to the Utes. 

Sep 26, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers nose tackle Siaki Ika (62) reacts with defensive lineman Ali Gaye (11) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

Sep 26, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers nose tackle Siaki Ika (62) reacts with defensive lineman Ali Gaye (11) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

Although he was committed to BYU for the longest time, he backed off that commitment in 2018 and LSU, as well as Utah and Oregon, emerged as the front runners for his services. 

The Utes could use Ika's services next season, as projected starters Viane Moala and Hauati Pututau and backup Pita Tonga are all seniors. Only Tanoa Togiai is the other defensive tackle who should get some playing time, and he's just a freshman.

Utah also has a very good track record of sending defensive players to the NFL, especially after getting Leki Fotu and John Penisini — the 2019 starting defensive tackles — drafted into the the NFL.

Ika recorded five tackles and a sack in his four appearances for LSU this season and 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss in his career.

According to the report from 247Sports, Ika "wants to go wherever he fits best."

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