It is a story that has been a few years in the making for Bellarmine Prep's QB Sefo Liufau. One that started as he rose through the ranks as a Youth Football star. One that has brought together the entire Liufau Family which extends past blood and school boundaries now. The kid so many people in the Bellermine Football family and the South Sound have come to admire as the essence of the true student-athlete finally got his day as his first offer came in late yesterday.
"Only my family and coaches know. And I wanted to let you know too," said Sefo as we spoke by phone today. "Colorado made me an offer to play Quarterback for them on scholarship."
That offer means a lot. The first one always does. And Coach John Embree and the Buffalos would be getting a great one if this offer is the one that gains his pledge.
The first one is often the one that kids remember most and while many see the 4 Star Liufau as a 10 offer guy he likes the fit for him at Colorado based on what he has heard.
"I loved speaking with the staff. It was a great conversation and basically they said I am their Primary QB recruit. They run a Pro Style offense and their offense reflects a lot of what we run at Bellarmine," he added saying he is excited and honored to have his first offer be from a Pac 12 South Team.
The family oriented honor student hails from Polynesian roots where his mother and father instilled in him the tenants he lives by daily.
"Of course the whole family was so excited when I got off the phone. I am the oldest one of us and we are all going to enjoy this together. This is my first offer but you know it is a first for them too. When we all reflected on it there was a real sense of joy and happiness to be so blessed," added the beaming Lion.
His father has been his biggest influence and while he has not Coached Sefo per-se in football he has been there to guide him on the things that are grounding him as he moves through this crucial period of this life.
The 6'4" and 225 pound gunslinger said, "My Dad was of course overjoyed but after we started speaking he reminded me to stay humble and work hard. Those are the things that drive me and that is the way I am trying to stay until the decision about my future and my High School career is done."
Part of the family involvement will include a trip to Boulder in April where the Liufau crew will go with their oldest child when he makes an unofficial visit to meet the staff, tour the University, and see the Spring scrimmage. The family has been behind him all the way and he intends to keep them involved. While they can not make it to all his trips this one could be special.
"Going together will be great. My brother has school so he might miss it but otherwise we will all go together and make it fun. That is the one thing we are all trying to remember. To have fun! This is only going to happen for me once so we will keep all of these blessings in mind," he concluded.
He gave a ton of credit to his team mates, Coaches, and all of the Bellermine Community and the many others who have helped him succeed. He is coming off an amazing Basketball season where he and the Lions came one shot away from punching a ticket to the State final this past weekend.
He is getting back into the weight room in a day or so and says he is looking forward to hitting a few featured football camps and taking some more visits. Sefo had some really good 1-1 time with Mike Leach at WSU not even two weeks ago and is looking forward to hearing from a list of schools and says that WSU, Boise State, Utah, Oregon, and Oregon State are schools he has a keen interest in.
"It would be great to stay out West and play so the family is close but it is not going to be a criteria that will make or break things. Finding the right feel, the right Coaches, and school are all going to play into the final decisions. Right now we are just all really happy!"
And with that he joins Max Browne of Skyline and Kolney Cassel of Eisenhower as Washington Class of 2013 QB's who have D-1 offers in what appears to be a real bumper crop year!
Sefo Liufau gained his first offer; one that while very special will by no means be his last!
