Interview: 2019 LB Maninoa Tufono Working to be the Next Big Hawaiian Football Export
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
For those not in the know, Hawaii is producing some fantastic college football prospects. A few college teams are taking advantage of covering paradise uncovering great talents in one of America’s most overlooked hotbeds for collegiate football players.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans) and former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (San Diego Chargers) are not the first and last Hawaii talents to get noticed for their potential to leave a mark on college football. The list is long and predates the millennial era. The work of Mariota and Te’o has helped the next wave of Hawaii players finally get their due in college football offers. The 2016 class had at least 10 players sign with Division-I programs with two going to USC (RB Vavae Malepeai and LB Jordan Iosefa), one to Stanford (OL Nate Herbig), Arizona (OL Michael Eletise), and Vanderbilt (OL Toleafoa Auwae).
The 2017 class will be well represented with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa going to Alabama, linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia heading to Oregon, and guys like three star talents Miki Suguturaga (DE), Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (DT), and Aliki Vimahi (DE) are prized but are uncommitted. Another up and coming talent sure to bring the Power Five Coaches to Hawaii is Class of 2019 linebacker Maninoa Tufono.
If the last name Tufono sounds familiar, it should. Maninoa’s father, Albert, played at Washington. The acorn is not falling too far from the tree for Maninoa. The 6-2.5, 225 pound, playmaker got his first taste of varsity football in 2016 showing out when the opportunity called.
In Hawaii, freshmen are not allowed to play varsity football, otherwise Tufono may have been called up in 2015 for Punahou High School. The Buff n’ Blue started their rising sophomore in five games, playing him in all 10, seeing him rack up 65 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble. The Honolulu squad shuffled their starting lineup depending on the opposition’s offense scheme. In 2016 the opposition will not be so lucky.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in Hawaii to find out how his sophomore season turned out and received an update on his off-season plans and workout goals.
Interview
Maninoa, where all did you line up on the field during your sophomore season?
“I prefer playing inside linebacker, but I also played outside linebacker and a little at running back.”
Did you tear it up and pass out some headaches at running back?
(Laughs) “It was fun. I had a couple of plays here and there. I gained about 15 yards. I was mostly used to block.”
Will you play multiple positions or a new position during your junior season?
“I will mainly play inside linebacker but I want to be versatile. I will play some outside linebacker and defensive end as a standup pass rusher off the edge. I will play some running back too, like last year.”
What areas of your game improved as a linebacker in 2016?
“Throughout the season my speed and reading keys improved. My freshman to sophomore year, my game speed really improved. Reading keys really helped.”
What are you working on in the off-season for your junior season?
“This off-season I am working to improve my speed, moving laterally, and I want to be looser in my hips to stop the run and drop back into coverage.”
Have you guys maxed out in the weight room since the season ended?
“No, sir.”
Do you remember what you posted over the summer?
“My bench was 315, squat 505, and my clean was 220.”
Impressive.
“Thank you.”
It may be a little early but have you started looking at exposure or college camps yet?
“This past summer I went to a USC camp, Oregon State, Utah State, and a satellite camp. I also went to a Sound Mind Sound Body Camp. This summer I’m going to a Gridiron Performance Academy camp at home and USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal, and maybe a Washington camp.”
You will be a very well-traveled man when the summer is over. Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“So far I have received mail interest from Washington, Oregon, Notre Dame, USC, Utah, and Hawaii.”
Are you playing any 7v7 this off-season?
“Yes, sir. We are competing in the Pylon tournament in Vegas in February.”
Are you competing any off-season sports?
“Yes, sir. I’m playing basketball.”
How is the season going for you?
“Great. We just got a big win Saturday night against No. 1 team in Hawaii. That will be a good look to the state playoffs.”
What are you averaging this season?
“I think I’m averaging 7- to 8-points a game.”
Which position are you playing?
“I’m playing the 3 and a stretch 4.”
How is everything going in the classroom?
“My freshman year I had a 3.5. After my first semester of my sophomore year I have a 3.3.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“English. I like to write. I’m more of a creative writer. I’m interested in journalism too.”
Last question. What attributes of your game separates you from other linebackers?
“In my mind what separates me from other linebackers is I take film seriously. I read my keys and I attack the line of scrimmage. I can play in space, cover the pass, and make open field tackles. I have a strong motor and I’m always pursuing to the football. That is what separates me from other linebackers.”
Maninoa, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your basketball season.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credits: Honolulu Star-Advertiser; No. 5 Maninoa Tufono.