2013 - Johnny Ku-J Tapusoa - SS/OLB

[byucougar1]

5'-11"/200 lbs
Hybrid LB/FS - like Andrew Rich.
40-time: 4.6 Vertical: 32
Max Bench: 335 Bench Reps: 225 x 14
Also runs track - 400m
From Kahuku HS, HI (same as Shilo Te'o)
Will receive a scholarship after serving his mission out of HS - play in 2015.
Attended the following camps:
•BYU Football Camp, 2010, 2011, 2012
*MVP MLB 2011
•All Poly Football Camp, Utah, 2010, 2011, 2012
Honors - Awards:
2012 TOM LEMMING PREP REPORT SELECTION
2011 1st Team All-OIA EAST MLB
2011 All-State 3rd Team MLB

[imuakahuku]

This is the kid I mentioned a couple of years ago. He missed most of last year due to injury but sill ended up on the all state team. He is a game changer and doesn't seem "fall" for the misdirection plays. He also has pretty good speed (I would put money on him in a race vs Manti).

He LOVES BYU and I so stoked for him and his family! He is the one that used to run over to Shilo's house to see Doman and Bronco every time they came to town.

As far as football goes the kid started at Kahuku since 10th grade, and Kahuku always has stud LB's so that really speaks of his ability to make plays. I know his dad and they are such a solid family and I know the day he runs out of the tunnel will be one of his dad's proudest days (but behind the day he leaves for and the day he gets home from his mission).

Funny story his dad shared with me, when Ku-J was a sixth or seventh grader he was playing in a tackle football game with older kids that included kids like Tigi Hill. His dad saw a paper tucked into his belt. He called him over and pulled it out. It was a list of names (including his cousin Tigi's name). It was a "hit" list for the game! He went after those kids who were way bigger than him. His dad told the kids about the list but Ku-J didn't back down and still put some nice licks on the other kids.

An all around great kid from a really great family.

He is cousin's with Sea Tautu another LB at BYU (maybe on his mission now).

[BroncoBot]

This is the kid I mentioned a couple of years ago. He missed most of last year due to injury but sill ended up on the all state team. He is a game changer and doesn't seem "fall" for the misdirection plays. He also has pretty good speed (I would put money on him in a race vs Manti).

He LOVES BYU and I so stoked for him and his family! He is the one that used to run over to Shilo's house to see Doman and Bronco every time they came to town.

As far as football goes the kid started at Kahuku since 10th grade, and Kahuku always has stud LB's so that really speaks of his ability to make plays. I know his dad and they are such a solid family and I know the day he runs out of the tunnel will be one of his dad's proudest days (but behind the day he leaves for and the day he gets home from his mission).

Funny story his dad shared with me, when Ku-J was a sixth or seventh grader he was playing in a tackle football game with older kids that included kids like Tigi Hill. His dad saw a paper tucked into his belt. He called him over and pulled it out. It was a list of names (including his cousin Tigi's name). It was a "hit" list for the game! He went after those kids who were way bigger than him. His dad told the kids about the list but Ku-J didn't back down and still put some nice licks on the other kids.

An all around great kid from a really great family.

He is cousin's with Sea Tautu another LB at BYU (maybe on his mission now).

imuakahuku, thanks for the inside info. Sounds like a solid kid and can't wait to see him play at BYU.

[byucougar1]

According to Brandon Gurney tweet, he is first cousin to fellow recruit LB Trajan Pili and a nephew of current assistant to AD Mark Atuaia. Small world - BYU literally becoming a family and band of brothers. Sure wish we could recruit Polys

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[CougarClaw]

sounds like we're cleaning up with POlys this year. That's great to see. None of these guys seem like all-world athletes, but all solid pickups that could develop into real solid players.

queue the Yew offers in 3....2.....1....

[byucougar1]

http://www.deseretnews.com/m/article/865557960
He didn't think that he was going to be offered, yet persisted in demonstrating his worth to BYU. With this dogged determination, great things are in store for him.

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[imuakahuku]

Here is Marky's facebook post.

Congratulations to my nephew Ku-J Tapusoa.

REAL TALK: Ku-J has been coming to Provo for football camp for the last 4 years to do one thing--earn an athletic scholarship to BYU. He busted his tail and left year after year without one. This year was his last to make it happen and garner that scholarship he so desperately wanted. Since camp started on Monday, you couldn't find a player in the entire camp that wanted it more than him. After 4 days of giving everything he had (impressing coaches in drills, hitting, and such) his body gave out on the field (dammit, I'm crying while typing this because I witnessed it). As he was sitting under the trainers tent, he started to cry because he thought he lost all chance of accomplishing his dream.

HOWEVER, just the opposite happened.

Bronco, after watching Ku-J for 4 days asked the secondary coach to have Ku-J come to his office. During that meeting, Bronco offered Ku-J his dream--a full-ride scholarship to Brigham Young University to play football.

My point is this: Here is an example from my community of someone who had a dream and worked hard for YEARS to make it happen. I'm so proud to know him, his family, and to be from Ltown and a RR because of the actions of this boy.

Ku-J, thanks for inspiring me. Mark Atuaia

Ku-J also took care of business in the classroom. And, the scholarship was only offered to him because he had the academic credentials to make it at BYU. This is part of the WORK I mentioned. Usually, what we see is just on the field stuff, but Ku-J did/does it in the classroom too. That's why it happened for him today.

http://www.facebook.com/matuaia/posts/409704292413286

Here is Ku-J's mom's post to Marky

Much alofas to all & fa'afetai Marky for all the kind words! This is what happens when you brainwash them @ birth watching Uncle Jr & Uncle Marky on TV. Way to blaze to trail & just happy that he's gonna get his chance to finally be a Cougar!!!! I'm still in shock:) Thanks for being such a great example to all our kids as well. So happy he will be surrounded by all the family support!! Much Alofas, Marci

[hawkwing]

Thanks for sharing these great posts.

[byucougar1]

http://byu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1383647
He has been wanting to play for BYU since he was 10.

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