Interview: 4-Star 2021 DT Victory Vaka Updates Recruiting with SEC Visits Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The California high school gridirons are filled with recruiting monsters and a few beasts. Then there are some who have the potential to be both the monster and the beast with unlimited potential. One ascending player out of southern California that is heading towards a “can’t-miss” prospect is Class of 2021 defensive tackle Victory Vaka.

Even though he is just about to enter his junior campaign, Vaka is already a grizzled varsity veteran. The Westlake High School standout earned a spot as a starter as a freshman becoming an impact player with an estimated 60 tackles. His sophomore run ended with All-League and All-State honors after an estimated 70 stops with at least four sacks.

The upside and potential mixed with the early productivity already have college scouts hooked on the four-star recruit. Eight Division-I programs have offered so far; Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, LSU, Michigan, Utah, Vanderbilt, and Washington State. As Vaka pushed his 6-3, 315-pound, frame over the offseason to perfect his craft, expect that offer list to swell once the 2019 season kicks off.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with Vaka going over his offseason workouts with a look at his recruiting visits thus far and a preview to his Georgia and LSU trips.

Interview

Victory, you are one of those rare guys who had the talent and size to make an impact on the field as a freshman. How did that early playing time set you up for success during your sophomore year?

“Playing as a freshman, it taught me how to grow up and mature faster. Overall, that playing time helped my game performance, and I got better.”

Watching game tape on you from 2017 to 2018, there are noticeable differences on how much improvement you made. You were firing off faster and were a lot more powerful. What were some of the other areas of your game that showed improvement last season?

“My take off, I worked on that a lot, my hands, and my hips all improved.”

Which areas of your game have you been working on this offseason?

“I have been working on my footwork, getting that right, and working on my hands.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?

“Yes. My max was 275 on bench, my squat was 415, and my deadlift was 520.”

Nice. Did you go to any camps this offseason?

“I went to an Under Armour and Adidas camp.”

How did the Under Armour camp performance go?

“It went well. I loved it. I did well at the Adidas one as well.”

What did you do well at the Under Armour camp?

“In the one-on-ones, I dominated my reps.”

Which schools are showing interest heading into the 2019 season?

“I am receiving interest from UCLA, Oregon, USC, Texas, and Florida State.”

I know you are pulling in the offers, how many do you have now?

“I have eight offers.”

Did you get to visit any schools this offseason?

“Yes. I visited LSU in February, UCLA in March, and Arizona State in April.”

How did the LSU trip turnout?

“It was great. I loved it. I love “Coach O” (Ed Orgeron). He has that fire no other head coach has.”

And the UCLA visit, how did that go?

“It went very well. UCLA is basically down the street for me. Coach (Vincent) Oghobasse (DL) and Coach (Chip) Kelly (head coach) talked to me about how they would use me in their schemes.”

What are your thoughts on how the ASU visit went?

“It went really well. My family loved it. My mom went with me. She loves Coach (Antonio) Pierce (RC/LB) and Coach Herm (Edwards – head coach). All the coaches made us feel at home that weekend.”

Are there any planned visits ahead?

“Yes, sir. I am going to Georgia on July 26, LSU again on the 29th, and Michigan for the Ohio State game (Nov. 30).

With the Georgia visit, what has you excited about going to Athens?

“They hit me up about taking a visit. They are seriously interested in me, and I am seriously interested in them as well. They are in the SEC. They produce serious defensive linemen who go to the NFL.”

Back to the Warriors. How did Westlake look during spring ball?

“We looked great. We are young, but we have a lot of rising sophomores. We have some rising freshmen too. My younger brothers, I have faith in them and I know I can hold them accountable.”

Have you guys start summer ball?

“Yes, sir, we did. We started on June 11. We are on a dead period but we are back on July 22.”

Are you taking on any different roles with the team this year?

“Yes, sir. I have talked to my coaches about it. If they need me on offense, I will play guard or tackle. If we move to a 3-4, I could move to end this season.”

What personal goals have you set for your junior campaign?

“I want to win with my brothers, and get that state and CIF ring. I’m not a big stats guy, I am a look at my film type of guy. I would love to get 10 to 15 sacks this year.”

Victory, I appreciate your time and wish you success with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Vaka family; Victory Vaka