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Tongan Native Sione Taumoeanga Lands First Offer

We covered this young man all year last season. It’s not too often that you get a chance to see a really mobile big man like Sione Taumoeanga in High School. The Roosevelt High School Junior is a solid 6’2″- 295 prospect who has the whole package.

Tongan Native Sione Taumoeanga Lands First Offer

We covered this young man all year last season.  It’s not too often that you get a chance to see a really mobile big man like Sione Taumoeanga in High School.  The Roosevelt High School Junior is a solid 6’2″- 295 prospect who has the whole package.

Sione Taumoeanga Of Roosevelt is #52 and a top tier line prospect in 2013.

Sione Taumoeanga Of Roosevelt is #52 and a top tier line prospect in 2013.

Proof of that came tonight in the form of an offer from the Idaho Vandals.  They made their intentions known over the phone and assured him that his Coach was getting a call in the AM to confirm what was said.

“I spoke to Coach Mickins on Facebook a while back.  We started from there and then he said a few days later he was going to propose me to their staff at a meeting.  Then some phone calls and tonight he made the offer,” said Sione who is articulate and a brilliant kid to conversate with.

Does he know much about the program?

“No I don’t but I have been online checking it out.  It all looks nice and I would be interested in them for sure,” he said.

The Vandals want him for Defensive Tackle and if you watch his film you will see why.  Bodies fly around in that mess in there between the guards and Sione gets the best of the bunch most downs.  A true powerhouse kid in a massive frame he has a very very high ceiling.  His Film for 2012 is right here to view.

“He is a beast.  A smart player with a big motor.  To me he is a blue-chip student athlete who can play at any level,” said Head Coach Christian Swain who is an amazing mentor and coach but also a staunch advocate for his boys.

As we spoke we talked about his visit to UW to the Junior Day they had recently and his aspirations to play and get his school paid for.  We talked about wrestling which he did and enjoyed and his life long relationship with Rugby dating back to when he was just a little guy.

Then there is football.  The Tongan born Sione remembers living in Utah and playing rugby and then moving to Portland in grade school.  A place where he first saw these guys in pads and helmets running around.

“I remember seeing these kids and asking someone what the heck they were playing.  It looked cool.  And so I walked out and asked the Coach there if I could play.  He said that he guessed I could but he did not have any shoulder pads or a helmet.  But I wanted to play anyway so i went out and started mixing it up,” said Sione saying his parents and family were laughing.

There not laughing anymore.   They are cheering tonight as the Taumoeanga’s are realizing that this crazy American game that their son has come to love so dearly is going to get him a free college education.  An amazing vehicle to put his 3.6 GPA AP Course mind to some serious work!

“Rugby is life for us Tongan’s.  We play it all the time and of course we love it.  But Football is my passion and has been since I first tried it.”

The conversation turned to his Tongan roots and the community and the life they are living in the North Portland Peninsula.  We wondered how that community which is growing is assimilating.

“It is really changing for the better.   You know many people in our community are poor or from down and out situations.  But that is getting better.  And Coach Swain and the Roosevelt community have done a great job of getting the Tongan kids invested into the Football program and into the school too.  I think we are taking pride in this contribution or aspect of American life.  This is a sport we can be good at and we are bringing pride to our school and our families too. So I can see a positive change and our community taking a good stake in things,” he said with a wisdom beyond his years.

He is a member of the LDS Church and plans to pursue law enforcement and criminal justice.  So any school with that sort of career path will be high on his list.

Will he go on a Mission?

“Yes.  Most definitely.  Colorado State called and said they could offer me but that if I went on a Mission that might not work.  I thanked them because they need guys sooner then that.  So when colleges call now I mention that right away.  BYU, Boise State, Idaho, and alot of these schools are all fine with it.   It should be no issues for most schools.”

So we find out a little more about one of the best kids in the NW and have a chance to go behind the curtain so to speak and see how he thinks and what makes him tick.  And what we found was something really special in Roosevelt Rough Rider Sione Taumoeanga.

Follow his story with us all year long!

Sione Taumoeanga is one of many Tongan Student-Atheletes attending Roosevelt and helping the Roughriders and the Community to get better!

Sione Taumoeanga is one of many Tongan Student-Atheletes attending Roosevelt and helping the Roughriders and the Community to get better!

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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