When LSU and Clemson square off Monday night for all the marbles in the College Football Playoff National Championship, two local products from the same Utah high school will be on LSU’s sideline.
True freshman nose tackle Siaki “Apu” Ika and junior linebacker Soni Fonua both graduated from East High (Ika in 2019 and Fonua in 2016) and have contributed this season for the top-ranked team in the country.
A highly touted recruit nationally in the Class of 2019, Ika has played in 12 games for LSU this season and has tallied 17 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Fonua transferred to LSU for this season after two campaigns at Mesa Community College and has appeared in four games.
Ika and Fonua were both on the East roster in 2015 when the Leopards rolled to the 4A state championship (Ika was a freshman and Fonua a senior).
Kickoff for Monday’s game is set for 6 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN.