BYU football recruiting: Cougars get commitment from LB Viliami Tausinga

BYU football picked up a commitment from a talented linebacker over the weekend as three-star recruit Viliami Tausinga is coming to Provo.

Viliami Tausinga – second cousin of BYU football’s Kesni Tausinga – is coming to BYU football. The three-star (according to 247Sports) linebacker announced his commitment to the Cougars on his Twitter account.

Tausinga is the No. 5 linebacker in Utah and was a massive play maker during his time at East High School (UT). At 6-foot-1, 210 lbs. Tausinga has room to grow and add to his frame. But watching his film, he’s got great speed, can cover receivers in space and looks to be sure tackler.

In short, he has all the traits you look for in a linebacker.

His coach at East High School, Brandon Matich, is no stranger to watching great players. MaxPreps ranked the school’s football team as the 54th best team in the nation this season. Last year, the site had the Leopards ranked as 23rd. So Matich certainly knows talent when he sees it.

On Twitter, he said BYU football got the best linebacker in the state.

Tausinga spoke with 247Sports after his commitment. He told Blair Angulo that BYU’s proximity to his home was a big factor in his decision. He also told Angulo that his plan is serve an LDS mission right out of high school. Assuming that plan holds, BYU football fans won’t get to see him until 2020.

Tausinga held offers from Fresno State, Hawaii, Utah State and UNLV. He was also recruited by San Diego State and Minnesota.

To check out highlights from Tausinga’s senior year at East, click here.

BYU football will continue to ramp up towards Signing Day in February. Expect more recruiting news as the days unfold. You can see BYU’s current recruiting class here.