Uiagalelei is a 6-4, 255 Freshman defensive lineman from Mater Dei HS, Costa Mesa, CA. Last year he had 18 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass break-up, and 1 fumble recovery. Brandon Combs analysis from AZDS:
Coach Kaufusi on Uiagalelei:Uiagalelei comes from another SoCal—and national—powerhouse in Mater Dei. He didn’t have as much production as someone like Isaiah Johnson or some other lineman at MD. At first glance, his stat line doesn’t look like much. However, the fact that a large portion of his tackles were for a loss says a lot about how he plays….and why Nansen likes him.
First things first, Uiagalelei has a big time mean steak. He attacks the offensive line with tenacity and violence, often time knocking his opponent off-balance once he engages.
Uiagalelei accomplishes this by his explosiveness and quickness off the snap. He shoots out of his stance like he was shot out of a cannon and collides with the opposing line. There are times he just blows right by his blocker and into the backfield so fast, the opposing player has no idea what happened. He just kind of stands there.
Uiagalelei is also proficient at shedding blocks. This is a combination of speed and knocking opponents out of synch with their blocking. Even when he is actively engaged in a block, Uiagalelei is consistently revving up his high motor to shed, or circumvent, the block and get to the ball carrier.
Overall, he has all the tools a coach could want in a pass rusher. Really just need to see more production out of him.
Polynesian Bowl interview: