20 Eddie Siaumau
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 6:00 am
Siaumau is a 6-3, 235, Freshman linebacker from Leone HS, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Easy to get excited about this player when you read the evaluations AZ Desert Swarm did last summer:
Brandon Combs: I really like this commitment. Siaumau is a big, physical player who loves to hit, and hit hard. Originally starting out at safety last year, he gained a lot of muscle and moved up closer to the line. Now pushing around 225-230 pounds, Siaumau plays closer to the line. He can easily add another 10-15 pounds and become even more of a handful to blockers.
Watching his film you see the aggression and an ability to shed blocks and smack the ball carrier. He still has the skills to drop back in coverage and make plays. He is such a hard hitter that he has popped to ball out of the hands of the ball carrier on multiple occasions.
When it comes to his recruitment, I believe if he played in California, Washington, Arizona, or Utah he’d be ranked higher and have more offers. He is severely underrated and under recruited, but that is to Arizona’s benefit.
I can’t stress how much I like this commitment. He will easily be able to push for starting time early in his career. It is a major step toward re-establishing the Polynesian pipeline into Tucson.
I would say that Arizona is done with pass rush specialists, having Kwabena Watson and now Siaumau onboard.
Gabe Encinas: Siaumau is an ultra-athletic prospect with great size at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He has the tools to play spur, weak side linebacker or stud at Arizona.
At safety, he can fly and track the ball down, and linebacker he plays downhill and can deliver a shot.
There are many similarities between Siaumau and Freshman All-American linebacker Tony Fields II with the versatility, athleticism and aggressiveness.
Coming from American Samoa you wonder about the level of talent he faces, but the film shows physical talent that can translate into the Pac-12. He might come in a little more raw, but the tools are there to become a big contributor.
Siaumau was one of the strongest performing recruits out in the west this offseason, and will likely rise in the rankings as he progresses through his senior year.
He only has one Power Five offer but was hearing from ASU, Oregon, USC and Utah prior to his commitment. As Brandon mentioned, his offer list and ranking would be a lot different if he played on the mainland.
Not only is Arizona getting a versatile and athletic prospect that can be something special, but this a big step to building the Polynesian pipeline for recruiting as well.