WOOF! OL MJ Ale commits to Washington Football 2018 recruiting class

The Washington Football team continues to load up offensively for the recruiting class of 2018 with the latest commitment of offensive lineman MJ Ale

I love good news to kick off a weekend. Don’t you? And so, good news it is for the Washington Football team, thanks to three-star 6-foot-6 330 pound offensive lineman out of Tacoma Washington MJ Ale.

So what do we know about M.J. Ale? Quite a bit actually.  We had just written recently about the concerns of the clock ticking on recruiting for 2018.   If that had caused any concerns for anyone else, they should be squelched now.  Ale is a great player who will fit perfectly with the plans of the team.  He is a huge, physically dominant, versatile offensive lineman who will come in next year in the wake of several offensive linemen moving up to the NFL. And he is up to the task.

You might think he’s been at this for years, but funny thing about that.

Just two years, but what a player…

But he has only been playing football for two years.  Believe it or not, just two years. Is that enough time? You bet!   But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I had the occasion to interview him soon after the announcement of his commitment to UW:

HH: You are known as MJ Ale, but I’d like to get your name right. What does the M stand for? And is your last name Ale or Ayale?

MJ Ale: My real name is Ulumoo Ale my father’s name. MJ stands for Moo Junior.

HH: Thank you. Is that name Polynesian? I understand you are from Australia. Could you walk me through your childhood (born to Australia)?

MJ Ale: Yes that name is of Samoan ancestry. I was born in American Samoa while my parents were in teaching in a theological seminar. My father was offered a pastoral position in Australia so we made the move and I grew up in Australia for 12 years

Football offers.. plenty of them…

HH: There are conflicting reports as to number of scholarship offers you received. Could you confirm that number for me please?

MJ Ale: I received a total of 10 offers

HH: Did Kaleb McGary give you the lowdown on UW? Or did you have most contact with coaches? Who helped bring you to your decision?

MJ Ale: I spoke with Kaleb a couple times, but I was mostly in contact with the coaches. My family and I sat down and to finalize my decision.

HH: And finally, you are listed as 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds. Still growing, or have you reached your peak? :-)

MJ Ale: I am still growing

Yes. Yes, I believe he still is.  And all I can say is…

Or better yet, why not Coach Petersen say it as only he can.

One more special player

This young man is a beast.  At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he is one of the largest offensive lineman on the team. And yes, he is not done growing yet.  Still, two years of football doesn’t seem like enough time to shake off rust and play at NCAA level. Ah, but MJ Ale is no normal person. He is a natural at football. And he’s had plenty of sports background so far.

So how does a young man with just two years of football get on the radar of a major Pac-12 football program? Work, and lots of it.

In an article covering the news from NorthwestPrep.com’s Dirk Knudsen, you can get some great background about MJ Ale.  For example, did you know that Ale is both a former boxer and rugby player?  Those are two powerful sports to launch a football player’s career. Boxing gives great footwork, balance, and handwork. Rugby gives incredibly physicality and toughness.

On that alone, Ale has all the makings of a standout offensive lineman.

Did I tell you he’s still growing?

More beef for the trenches

Ale is the third offensive linemen to commit to the Huskies for 2018.  He joins offensive guard Victor Curne and offensive tackle Matteo Mele.  The Washington Football team now has three solid offensive linemen slotted for the class of 2018.  While the team still has interest in linemen who remain uncommitted, it’s now a guessing game whether the team will expand the class for OL and settle elsewhere. But that is a question for another day.

Today is about a young man committing to the high standards of the Washington Football program. But it’s also a commitment of this team to take M.J. Ale further in his football career than any other school.  And I will hold them to it. He is a fine young man whose optimism is contagious.

2018 QB Sirmon excited

And nobody is happier about the news (other than me, because I have been rooting for Ale for some time) is future quarterback Jacob Sirmon

And yes, that’s how close this group is becoming. Only great things can follow.  A group becomes a team when each member is confident enough of their own role that they can praise the efforts of the others.

Welcome to the team, M. J. Ale.  You may still be growing physically. But I have my doubts whether you can grow any larger in stature than you are today.

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