It’s taken time for the impact of Kalani Sitake’s hire of Sione Po’uha to gain momentum, but the commitment of Granger High defensive tackle Moa Havili this past week proves there might be a flywheel effect going on with BYU defensive linemen.
Havili announced his commitment to BYU on Wednesday following two showcase events where he blew up, according to Greg Biggins of On3 Sports. Within hours of putting on these camp displays of his talent, he received a dozen offers, including from Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Cal.
Havili told Cougar Sports Insider Jeff Hansen of 247Sports, “I already committed to BYU at the office when my uncle Kalani Sitake offered me on the spot. I really felt the spirit and my parents and family are happy and want BYU!”
Havili continued: “I am gonna be officially visiting on June 19. No decisions or any time stopping to think (more about it). BYU is the right way to go! There is no might because I am committed and (will) play for my dream team and the Lord’s dream (for me).”
At the heart of all this is a Tongan connection: two Tongan natives, Sitake and Po’uha. It is becoming obvious Po’uha’s work for Sitake, who elevated him to associate head coach this past January as part of Sitake’s renegotiated contract with BYU, is paying off. From the beginning, Sitake wanted Po’uha on his staff when he took over for Bronco Mendenhall in 2015.
Havili joins Tustin, California, defensive tackle Jeremiah Williams (6-foot, 315 pounds) as two of five commitments from the class of 2027 for the Cougars. This is a solid addition to the foundation Po’uha has been working on since he joined BYU’s staff before the 2023 season.
Williams has offers from a busload of blue-blood programs, including Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas, USC, Tennessee, Miami, Notre Dame and Michigan.
Strategy obvious
Po’uha’s strategy has been evident for BYU’s defensive line since that hire. It has been very difficult for BYU to attract, recruit, sign and develop NFL-caliber linemen over the past decade and the Po’uha hire was supposed to rectify that.
Po’uha is stockpiling depth and versatility, accumulating multiple high-upside defensive line prospects like Williams and Havili with transfers like Keanu Tanuvasa (Utah), former Ute commit Hunter Clegg and Texas transfer Tausili Akana.
In an Athlon Sports piece released this past week, Big 12 coaches were asked to give their views anonymously about other teams in the league. Said one coach of BYU, “They’re the best team in our conference. They’re the most physical team. They have the best coaches, and they have great energy. They play complementary football — offense, defense, special teams.”
“At the line of scrimmage, they look totally different than any other Big 12 team. I think that program is about to skyrocket.”
With BYU’s defensive linemen, Po’uha is creating competition and flexibility among his defensive tackles, nose tackles and defensive ends that can be used in both three- and four-man fronts.
In an analysis of BYU’s defensive line project over the years posted by Casey Lundquist of SI.com, it is evident Havili is a key part of this plan.
(Bold font indicates players who were/are four-star recruits.)
- Kini Fonohema — DE
- Hunter Clegg — DE
- Vincent Tautua — DE
- Siosefa Brown — DE
- Nusi Taumoepeau — DE
- Braxton Lindsey — DE
- Adney Reid — DE
- Ulavai Fetuli — DT
- Kelepi Latu-Finau — DT
- Nehemiah Kolone — DT
- Jeremiah Williams — DT
- Lopeti Moala — DT
- Devoux Tuataga — DE
Since joining in late 2022, BYU’s defensive line has shown marked improvement in run defense, sacks and overall production despite the Big 12 jump. Po’uha helped elevate the unit with veterans and young talent.
Po’uha’s football experience is extensive, but it is parallel to his humble personality and personal touch in relationships, a key in recruiting. Both he and Sitake were born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and have similar experiences as both native islanders in the Polynesian community and as American college football players.
Po’uha’s résumé
He is a former University of Utah standout defensive tackle (All-Mountain West, Fiesta Bowl champion) and an eight-year NFL veteran with the New York Jets (third-round pick, known for run-stopping and versatility).
Po’uha’s approach blends credibility from his NFL playing experience, strong player development track record, cultural/religious fit (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served a mission), relationships, and a focus on high-motor, coachable interior linemen who fit BYU’s scheme and program values.
Po’uha’s key pillars include leveraging his personal credibility and his NFL pedigree. His work in developing physical defensive linemen include former Utah All-American Leki Fotu.
This made BYU’s approach with Havili effective when BYU made the offer. Before his May showcase, Havili’s only college offers were from Utah State and Idaho.
Greg Biggins of On3 Sports reports Havili’s camp highlights were impressive on both sides of the ball, thus the sudden onslaught of recruiting attention.
“Playing offensive tackle, he stoned some of the state’s top edge rushers and then working out on the defensive line, he won with a combination of moves but mostly raw power, heavy hands and sound technique,” wrote Biggins.
“He took most of his defensive line reps as an edge but frame-wise, he’s built more like a traditional tackle, and that’s where we think he ends up in college. The game tape pops as well, and Havili put up huge numbers as a junior, totaling 102 tackles, 46 for loss and 13 sacks.”
Challenges abound
BYU still competes against bigger NIL/resources programs for elite national talent. Oregon and USC and, historically, Utah have all been key challengers for many of the same cultural Latter-day Saint talent the Cougars target over the years.
Sitake and Po’uha’s success depends on sustained on-field results. The past few seasons, BYU’s defense has ranked at the top of the Big 12.
Po’uha’s strategy is relationship-first, development-focused and culturally attuned — ideal for BYU.
It prioritizes “humble and hungry” high-character prospects with physical traits he can refine using his NFL-honed techniques, rather than solely chasing the highest-ranked athletes.
This has helped transform BYU’s defensive front into a strength and positions the program to build sustained DL success in the Big 12.
A huge key to this the past several seasons has been Sitake’s hire of Jay Hill who departed this winter for Michigan.
It is unknown how big of a hit the Cougar defense will take from Hill’s departure as a master strategist and in-game adjustment artist.
On the other hand, Hill’s departure opened the door for Mendenhall acolyte Kelly Poppinga, who has brought in some of his own assistants to help implement his ideas.
Expect Po’uha and Sitake to place continued emphasis on Utah locals, Pacific Islander talent, and versatile bigs who buy into the program’s values.
Williams and Havili fit this plan like a glove.
