SANTA CLARA – Amos Talalele towers over defenders he pancakes into the bottom on run performs and overshadows cross rushers who attempt to swim round his huge body.
The senior deal with is 6-foot-4, weighs 330 kilos and would most likely begin on any offensive line within the Bay Space.
The USC commit attends Santa Clara, which is a number of miles from the town’s perennial powerhouse, Wilcox, and near a number of the West Catholic Athletic League’s prime applications.
However Talalele didn’t check temptation.
“Yeah, I used to be eager about Wilcox as a result of they’re a powerhouse staff and so they make a run at a state yearly,” Talalele stated. “However you recognize what, I’m loyal to my soil. I’ve put quite a bit into this staff.”
Santa Clara hasn’t had a profitable season since 2018. The Bruins went 4-6 in 2019, 1-4 within the pandemic-shortened spring 2021 season and 3-6-1 final fall beneath then-first-year coach Andrew Calderon.
They're 2-5 now.
“He thought of leaving after his junior 12 months, and fortunately he determined to remain,” Calderon stated. “I believe he was in search of a neater route, however he modified his thoughts. He is aware of me, and I’ve identified the household for years. He additionally has all of his mates right here.”
Talalele heard whispers about presumably having a chance to complete his highschool profession elsewhere, together with in Southern California.
As Talalele put it, he remained loyal to his soil.
“Amos has at all times beloved the Bruins, and he wished to remain loyal and keep right here,” stated his mom, Tracy Talalele.
At Santa Clara, Talalele has labored beneath the attention of line coach Malik Washington, a Santa Clara alum who performed at Foothill School and Faulkner College in Alabama.
“He labored so onerous over the summer time, and Amos would name me up and ask if we may get some further work in,” Washington stated. “I used to be so excited for him when he was provided by USC because it’s been some time since somebody from Santa Clara acquired a D-I scholarship. To see Santa Clara placed on the map, it’s superior.”
Committing to USC was a simple selection for Talalele. He is a large fan of former USC and Pittsburgh Steelers star security Troy Polamalu and is aware of the historical past of the Trojans program.
“Ah man, that was a dream college for me and lots of people,” Talalele stated. “To play within the LA Coliseum, it’s so iconic. And there’s so many Polynesian stars which have gone by there like Troy Polamalu.”
The high-profile dedication hasn’t modified Talalele, his coaches say. They raved about how their large man has maintained humility, one thing instilled in him from his upbringing.
“We attempt to hold him level-headed and assist him keep humble,” stated Talalele’s father, Olsen. “It’s in our tradition, too. We’ll whoop your butt if you happen to don’t keep in line.”
Talalele stated that among the finest issues to return from having the USC provide is that it attracts extra consideration to his highschool teammates.
“We’re not often called a powerhouse soccer staff, however I nonetheless acquired a proposal from USC,” Talalele stated. “It doesn’t matter the place you go. For those who can ball, you then’re a baller and folks will discover you. I really feel like this 12 months folks want to return out and watch our line. We’re bodily and we’re hitting, and we’re having good video games.”
