Semi Tualanga, a BYU priority defensive tackle prospect, will disclose his college decision on Saturday evening, according to social media.
BYU is one of three contenders for Tualanga’s recruitment. He’ll select between BYU, Utah, and UCLA. BYU hosted Tualanga for an official visit in June.
🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Saturday, July 27th at 8 p.m.
Where’s home ? 🏠@Utah_Football @BYUfootball @UCLAFootball
— semi.taulanga (@SemiTaulanga) July 22, 2024
Tualanga attends one of the country’s premier high school football programs, Mater Dei High School.
Mater Dei develops dozens of collegiate prospects each year. Kody Epps, the current BYU wide receiver, graduated from Mater Dei.
Tualanga received competitive offers from Pitt, Oregon State, Washington State, San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State, and Charlotte throughout his recruitment before narrowing his list to three finalists.
Tualanga is a tad undersized for a defensive lineman at 6’1, but he compensates with effort, quickness, and technique. Tualanga uses his hands to shed blocks far better than most high school defensive tackle prospects, and his pass rushing abilities have improved. His efforts were on display in the video below.
effort creates plays ! pic.twitter.com/LdVYurbBQ1
— semi.taulanga (@SemiTaulanga) August 28, 2023
As a junior, Tualanga made 61 total tackles, 13 of which were for loss. He also had 11 sacks.
Since Jay Hill took over as BYU’s defensive coordinator, the Cougars have been seeking to improve their defensive line. Sione Po’uha has been working hard to recruit Big 12-caliber defensive linemen for the 2025 class, and Tualanga fits the bill. BYU has already secured a commitment from Sacramento native Kelepi Vete. Having Tualanga and Vete in the same class bodes well for the future of BYU’s defensive line. If Tualanga chooses to play at BYU, he might earn a starting place early in his career.
