Washington Football coaches recruit DL Sama Paama

The Washington Football team gets a good jump on the defensive line as they recruit defensive lineman Sama Paama to the class of 2019

The Washington Football team knows that the team will need defensive linemen in 2019. Defensive tackle Greg Gaines graduates, and the PAC-12’s calling card is landing some of the best offensive linemen in NCAA football.  The Washington Huskies defense has been dominate in college football in recent years, thanks in no small part to the contributions of versatile defensive linemen like Elijah Qualls and Vita Vea.

Washington needs a solid core of defensive players, and they are rather astute at assessing the player potential of young prospects. The Huskies were the first major football program  to offer Paama a football scholarship, and that first-in may have played a significant part to his eventual decision.  And it was highlighted by Coach Chris Petersen’s “WOOF!”.

Tough fill, great “get”

Defensive linemen had been a tough fill for the Washington Football team in the past. Thankfully, the team has the jump this year.  With Paama, much like 2018 recruit Sam Taimani, Washington gets a versatile player.  Paama can line up on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.  And one role serves to give him great insights into the other role.

Paama is a solid size for defensive tackle. At 6-foot-5 he is tall enough to disrupt passing lanes with his stature and arm reach. Meahwhile, thanks to his 325 pound muscular frame, he is strong enough to hold his ground to disrupt the running game as well. And he has great burst quickness at the snap of the ball, placing him into the advantage for leverage at the line of scrimmage.

Hawaii open to future Huskies

Paama becomes the sixth player to commit to Washington for 2019. That is more than any other PAC-12 team so far. While a solid number so far, the team has a great deal of work to do to round out the 2019 recruiting class.  His commitment adds another defender to the class, which has done well to balance new prospects to projected team needs.

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Another positive takeaway to Paama’s commitment is the success in recruiting from Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands have long been a great source of NCAA talent . Until now, Hawaii has been a tough site for Washington to recruit.  Paama was heavily recruited by the USC Trojans as well as six other major NCAA programs.  And until now, he was projected as a USC recruit. But Sama Paama, as other recruits, sees college football as a stepping stone to a solid degree and the chance at the NFL. With so many Washington defensive linemen making their marks in pro football, it makes complete sense for a young man to seek a similar outcome.

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