After Switching Lines, Ale Has Become Important Part Of UW Defense
NEW ORLEANS — Coming into the 2022 season, senior Ulumoo Ale made the move to defensive tackle after spending his first four years at the University of Washington as an offensive guard.
He played well in his first year on the defensive line, recording 11 tackles, 1 for loss and a pass breakup. In his second season, Ale started 11 games and while his stats have not seen a large jump, the 6-foot-6, 327-pounder from Fife High School in Tacoma has become an integral part of the defensive front.
When coach Kalen DeBoer arrived at Washington, he went out and hired defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield away from Vanderbilt, his staff decided Ale was better suited to play defense and Ale credited Nokes with helping him switch roles.
"Coach Nokes is a blessing; he taught me everything he knows," Ale said. "He helped me slow the game down and play at a faster pace, which is the biggest thing for me."
"I know more about the game, I know more about defensive-line play and how I'm going to play certain blocks and position myself in certain schemes. That understanding has allowed me to play faster and that's all thanks to him."
Now as Washington's physicality is questioned by members of the national media, Ale appears ready to display everything he's learned with a trip to the national championship on the line.
"We know what we bring to the table, we believe in our physicality and think we can match up very well with what Texas is bringing," he said. "They're a very physical team, but we wouldn't be here if we weren't either."
As Ale moves on to pursue a career in the NFL after the season, he knows exactly what he needs to do to continue developing into a productive defensive tackle at the next level and will attempt to put that on display in the Sugar Bowl.
"It comes down to creating more havoc," he said. "Being as big as I am, I know I'm going to draw a double-team and just getting off it, getting into the backfield and creating havoc is the next step."
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