Coach Mike Gottsch inked six players besides American Samoa-born cousins Buddy Tuamasaga (6-4, 325 pounds) and Rodney Finau (6-2, 325 pounds) in April. But adding 650 pounds of muscle to the defensive line is some big news for the Bluejays.
The fact that both are strong and athletic players makes it even better, according to Gottsch.
“I’ve seen some big guys that aren’t very good,” he said. “But I think these guys are big and good.”
Gottsch also said the two players were so impressed with Tabor’s educational opportunities and the football program during their recent visit to Hillsboro that they signed with Bluejays before returning home to L.A.
At East Los Angeles Community College, both players played both ways as starters on the offensive and defensive lines. And both were second-team All-Conference selections this past season at ELAC.
“They rarely came off the field,” Gottsch said. “The fact that they were willing to play both ways says a lot about their ability, and their character.”
Both players had outstanding individual careers at Long Beach Poly High School, where the team won the Harry J. More League Championship every season from 2002 through 2005 and the CIF Division 1 Championship in 2004. Tuamasaga was a first-team all-league selection in high school.
Last month, Tabor also added incoming freshmen Chris Sanborn, of Pinellas Park, Florida, Ryan Palmer, of Grants Pass, Oregon, Demetrious Bankston, of Atmore, Ala., Joseph Trammell, of Bakersfield, Calif., Alex Wolfe, of Goddard, and Cody Earnest, of Bakersfield.
Earnest, a quarterback, earned all-league honorable mention honors this past season.
Wolfe, an outside linebacker and safety, was part of a 9-3 Goddard squad that finished as a sub-state runner-up.
Gottsch said that “Alex is a gifted athlete. He possesses good speed and good strength. He is a quality in-state player from a quality high school program. I am eager to see him here this fall.”
Trammell, a linebacker and tight-end, was named league offensive MVP and was a first-team all-league defensive back in high school.
Bankston, a running back, was a two-year letterman and team captain in high school.
Sanborn, a defensive end, recorded 75 tackles, 9 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and five sacks this past season.
Palmer, a defensive tackle and offensive guard, earned lineman of the year honors twice and was a first team all-league and third team all-state selection.
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