Interview: 2020 Mater Dei LB Jacobah Fuamatu Gives No. 5 JSerra Catholic Game Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Is there a high school football team this season that has played a tougher schedule than Mater Dei? The Monarchs have taken on all challengers facing three Top 25 nationally ranked teams in Bishop Gorman (42-0), then- No. 1 IMG Academy (28-24), and No. 1 St. John Bosco (18-41) with a fourth coming up against No. 5 JSerra Catholic. Through eight games played, and against all the outstanding talent, the Monarchs’ defense has been outstanding only allowing 86 total points on the season. One defender making a big impact for Mater Dei this season earning every bit of his three-star ranking and then some is Class of 2020 linebacker Jacobah Fuamatu.

With Mater Dei blowing out a lot of teams this season, Fuamatu and the rest of the Monarchs’ starters rarely get the opportunity to play a full game to line the stat sheet. In the time provided on the field, the 6-0, 200-pound, defender is getting it done with 19 tackles, 11 solo, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two passes broken up in stats posted through seven game. The numbers are misleading, Fuamatu is a beast. At the end of his sophomore season he tallied 99 stops with 16 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and had two fumble recoveries playing for La Habra earning MaxPrep’s All-American honors.

The opportunities to showcase his abilities against top competition will continue with each and every upcoming game. JSerra Catholic is the next test followed by the end of season finale against Orange Lutheran, a team at one time ranked in the Top 25, before going into California’s Division-I southern section playoff bracket, another murder’s row of talented squads.

In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with Fuamatu for a quick update on his season and recruiting with a preview of the Monarchs’ showdown on Friday against the Lions.

*Click link for Aug. 12, 2018, RNG interview with Kobah Fuamatu

Interview

Kobah, we spoke before the season started about all the areas of your game that you worked on in preparation for the season, where are you seeing the biggest improvement in your game on the field?

“My hustle and my instincts have improved greatly. My eyes are open playing against top teams in the Trinity league; my instincts are kicking in and I am improving all the way around.”

Which game was the most challenging for you but made you a better player for it?

“The IMG game, that was the most challenging.”

How did that challenge make you a better player?

“IMG was bigger, stronger, and faster than us. I had to use my technique to get my tackles.”

Which game has been your best this season?

“IMG was my best.”

What made the IMG game your best?

“I did well in the game but I had a tackle against Trey Sanders that saved the game for us. Had he scored, we would have lost but I got him before he broke free.”

You guys just had a tough game against St. John Bosco, how do you feel that loss will end up helping the team going forward?

“I think it has humbled us. We got big headed at times thinking we are the best team in the country. We know we have to do our stuff and take everything seriously if we want to win a championship this season.”

The Trinity League is brutal, you just played one Top 10 nationally ranked team and now get another in JSerra Catholic. What are you expecting from the Lions offense on Friday?

“I am expecting a lot from one of their transfers, Chris Street; he’s from Mater Dei. He will be a big impact player for them.”

I can’t let you go without a quick recruiting update. You have the six offers, and last time we spoke you were receiving interest from teams like USC, Arizona, UCLA, and Colorado. Which new schools are showing interest but have not offered, or which schools are showing the most interest?

“The schools showing the most interest that have not offered yet are Utah, Notre Dame, and Washington State.”

*Fuamatu has offers from Arizona State, San Diego State, UNLV, San Jose State, New Mexico, and Fresno State

Do you have any planned unofficial visits upcoming?

“I am planning on going to Utah and USC on unofficial visits, but not during the season. I will probably go in December.”

Kobah, always great catching up with you. Good luck on Friday against JSerra.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Mater Dei HS; Monarchs swarming defense