Seventh in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Samu Moala, Leuzinger linebacker.
Looking at 6-foot-4, 230-pound Samu Moala with his helmet off as his long black hair covers half his face, you begin to understand how much his Samoan culture influences him physically and emotionally.
“You take pride in it because there’s not a lot of us in the world,” he said. “We’re tough, we’re smart, we’re very family-oriented. Respect goes a long way in our culture and religion. You always have to earn it, you always have to show it.”
Moala fits the portrait of someone who receives great respect whenever he’s on a football field. Entering his junior season playing linebacker for Leuzinger High, Moala has the physicality and versatility to interest schools such as Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA and USC.
Moala has discussed re-classifying and becoming a member of the class of 2025, so that’s one reason this season will have added importance as he tries to show improvement in strength and instincts under first-year coach Jason Miller.
“His real strength is coming off the edge and blitzing,” Miller said. “He closes on a quarterback like a missile closing in on a target.”
There’s lots of maturity and understanding from Moala about possibilities and opportunities in the future. He has an older brother who was considered a top player, but things didn’t work out. Moala said he learned valuable lessons.
“I learned from his mistakes. It’s free knowledge,” he said.
Moala has generated attention as a freshman when he recorded 14 tackles against Long Beach Poly in the third game of the season.
His style of play is based on confidence, intimidation and experience. He has been playing football since he was a 3-year-old going up against 5-year-olds.
“I feel what makes me…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/leuzinger-linebacker-samu-moala-follows-113040545.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-08-18 11:30:40
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
