DL Samu Taumanupepe Talks Recruitment, Miami Hurricanes Offer

Samu Taumanupepe is without doubt one of the most bodily dominant defensive linemen within the 2023 cycle. The Atascocita (Texas) Excessive Faculty product was a Texas 21-6A first-team all-district choice as a junior, taking part in the season at 65 kilos over his supreme taking part in weight.

“I performed final season at 415 [pounds],” Taumanupepe advised All Hurricanes. “From the offseason I’ve dropped all the way down to 370, I am at 370 now.”

The 6-foot-3 lineman’s weight objective by the beginning of his senior season is 350 kilos.

Taumanupepe excelled in 2021 at stuffing each gaps within the run sport. His uncommon mix of measurement and athleticism allowed him to play at a number of positions on the line of defense, as nicely.

“I can play [defensive] deal with, I can play nostril, I can play edge, I can play all of it. I’ve performed all of it,” Taumanupepe mentioned. 

“I can transfer at my measurement and it is onerous to double-team me. It is onerous to dam me on pass-rush … Each sport it is a double-team.”

The rising senior is getting recruited by Energy 5 packages resembling Oregon, Texas, Baylor and most just lately, Miami, who provided the Taumanupepe on July 15.

“I’ve at all times had curiosity in Miami, and I nonetheless do, I am simply going by means of the method proper now,” Taumanupepe mentioned. “Me and [Miami defensive ends coach Rod] Wright already had a connection constructed up since he is been at UTSA, and [UM defensive line coach Joe Salave’a] … he is Polynesian in order that’s actually a bonus there. We laughed the entire time, [our meeting] was about soccer but it surely wasn’t an excessive amount of about soccer.”

The Hurricanes give Taumanupepe a brand new college to think about, because the defensive lineman is ready to announce a dedication on July 31.

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