It has only been a few days since Washington's 5 Star QB Max Browne verbally committed to the University of Southern California effectively taking himself off the market. Tonight in a breaking story Bellarmine Prep 4 Star QB Sefo Liufau has done the same thing.
It was his first offer and his only offer. And while a hoard of schools have been in communication with the 6'4" & 225 Pound gunslinger from Tacoma he made a decision he says is going to stick. After spending a couple of days in Boulder, Colorado early last week on an unofficial visit he had a lot to think about. So he returned home to meet with the family and to reflect. That was followed by a church retreat for his Confirmation; an important second step with the Catholic Church that helped him confirm his committments to the Church moving ahead.
During this process of reflection and peace he had the calling to make a decision. And it was one that should reverberate through his life and the life of his family and friends for years to come. The young man who has meant so much to his community and school has decided to make his collegiate decision.
"Before we left Friday for the retreat I called the University of Colorado and made my commitment to join them next season. I am going to be a Buffalo," he said proudly.
Why we asked? What did it come down to in the end?
"They were my only offer and there are many other schools calling me now. But when you find the perfect place and the perfect fit you have to take it," he said. "After spending time there with the Coaches, watching practice, and just enjoying the campus and all of it I had this sense that this was going to be like Family for me."
Family. The one thing that matters the most to Sefo. The Liufau family is strong and tight. So going anywhere that Family is not stressed and the driving force behind the football program made no sense to him.
What Sefo found with Colorado was not only the Family feeling and atmosphere but men he can be mentored and coached by. Head Coach John Embree has done a masterful job of bringing Coaches to the campus who either played there or have a strong connection to the school.
The last assistant Embree hired was QB Coach Rip Scherer. And for Liufau that ended up being a deciding factor. The 58 year old Coach came to Colorado after 6 years in the NFL. He was with the Browns for 6 years and then the Carolina Panthers for the past two years; all time spent mentoring and coaching some of the top QB's in the League. He also has 31 years of College experience.
"Coach Scherer is going to be great to work with. We got to spend time together and we talked for a couple of hours and not really about football; more about life then anything. I feel he will be a great influence on me and the school so that was something that kept calling to me as part of this decision," added Sefo.
There were other factors. The offense at Colorado is similar to what the Lions run now and of course he likes that. Then there is the Folsom Field. The place Sefo will play for 4-5 years is a lot like home too.
Liufau loved the setting saying, "What hits me most is that it is big and all of that but the fans and stands are pushed close to the field. That is how our stadium is and I love that. I liked the idea of being close to the fans and my family while I am playing."
Go figure that the Family guy would love that aspect.
The weather he says is perfect, the intimate collegiate setting high in the Mountains and the City of Boulder and the people there were all a plus.
He is the one guy the Buffaloes wanted at QB and unless something happens to upset the apple cart they are going to get him. Sefo is not the sort of guy that changes his mind easily.
What's next for him?
"Right now I am throwing with my guys and just preparing. This is going to be our year if we work hard. And I will probably not go to a whole lot of other events. We will see. But this decision is giving me a chance to focus on what is most important right now, our team, and to spend time with my Family and friends."
The 4 star QB took the Lions deep into the WIAA playoffs last season on the grid iron and he was a big part of a deep run into the WIAA Hoops championship too.
Win it all or not this year he will be set for the future. A future he says he is really looking forward to playing in the Pac 12 South and being a part of the rebuilding process at Colorado.
Catch Sefo's Film Right Here! Congrats to Sefo Liufau and thanks for letting us break yet another top story of our best kids right here in the Pacific Northwest!
