UCLA Football Recruiting: Top West Coast inside linebacker has Bruins in his Top 14
The UCLA football team made the final cut for one of the the top inside linebackers in the country as 4-star Maninoa Tufono out of Honolulu has the Bruins in his Top 14.
We have only had a taste of UCLA football‘s new defense under Jerry Azzinaro and his assistants, but it already looks like it is going to be a very hungry and very dangerous crew.
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Though the Bruins have had issues with depth and developing talent during the Jim Mora era especially at the linebacker position, the coaches are finding ways to make the defense better by utilizing player’s talents and allow them to make plays.
https://twitter.com/maninoa_tufono/status/993286278106906624
Now when it comes to recruiting, the Bruin coaches can look for those players that can best fit their system. It also helps when the player they are looking for is one of the best in the country.
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Meet 4-star inside linebacker Maninoa Tufono (Punahou/Honolulu, HI) and not only do the Bruins have him on their radar, Tufono has UCLA on his.
A few days ago, the top ILB this side of the Rocky Mountains released his Top 14 choices and the Bruins made the cut with the likes of Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, USC and Washington. According to 247Sports.com, Tufono appears to be a Washington lean, though he is still warm to the UCLA offer.
What makes this player so special is his ability to read plays and watch them develop. He is patient, but reactionary. Tufono has a keen eye for spotting the holes in the line, allowing him to race into the backfield and track down a ball carrier. He also has good speed with his 6’3, 225 lbs. frame which helps him get to the ball carrier in the open field.
He is also quite aggressive, which is something the Bruin defensive coaches could use as they have been trying to implement a fiercer style of football. “Violence” has been the keyword during spring practice.
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With the Bruins expected to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, they will use several different players and schemes to disrupt the offense. With the tenacity Tufono displays, he could thrive under DC Jerry Azzinaro and LB coach Don Pellum, if he does indeed decide to join the Bruins..