Get to know 2023 Texas commit Liona Lefau
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting fan in need of a refresher or a casual fan in need of only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing period for college football runs from December 21-23. That puts it a week later than normal, which allows you even more time to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with helping restore Texas back to national prominence.
The preceding 2022 class is already off to a good start, but the way to win at a consistently high level is to stack talented class after talented class. At all times you need young players developing, creating competition, and providing valuable depth before becoming quality starters.
The top 5 contending 2023 class is just what Texas needed after the top 5 2022 class.
In the lead-up to NSD1, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2023 signing class.
Next up, Liona Lefau.
The Player: Liona Lefau, LB, Kahuku (Hawaii), 6-foot-2, 211 pounds
The Rating: 89.03, On3 Consensus three-star
The Ranking:
The Recruitment: Lefau was trending toward Texas for some time in the spring, but Oregon, USC, Washington, and Utah were determined to keep him on the West Coast. He built a great relationship with Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and linebackers coach Jeff Choate, both known for their prowess in the Pacific Northwest. In the days after Arch Manning’s commitment, Lefau committed to the Longhorns as well. The decision didn’t come as a shock, though the timing did.
The Projection: Lefau is a prototypical middle linebacker. He can shoot gaps, control the middle of the field, avoid the wash, and cover in space when needed. With Kwiatkowski’s 2-4-5, Lefau fits one of the inside spots nicely and provides a player with generous upside and the ability to go sideline-to-sideline.
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The Reasoning: “Texas provides me the opportunity to do something that isn’t common, which is being a Polynesian linebacker playing at Texas. I also like the opportunity to be able to play in the SEC if I was to play for Texas.” – Liona Lefau told On3 in June
The Relationship: Lefau told Inside Texas his best relationship at UT is linebacker coach Jeff Choate.
The Enrollment: Lefau is expected to enroll early.
The Final Word: Adding depth at linebacker was imperative for the Longhorns in the 2023 cycle. Lefau joining Anthony Hill Jr and Derion Gullette makes this class haul formidable. Lefau is a prospect that might see the field faster than others, adding a high football IQ and instincts often not seen for his age.
Series:
Connor Stroh, OL, Frisco (Texas) Wakeland
Johntay Cook, WR, Desoto (Texas)
Will Randle, TE, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman
Trevor Goosby, OL, Melissa (Texas)
Derion Gullette, EDGE/LB, Teague (Texas)
Spencer Shannon, TE, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Andre Cojoe, OL, Mansfield (Texas) Timberview
Billy Walton, EDGE, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
Cedric Baxter, RB, Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater
Jaydon Chatman, OL, Killeen (Texas) Harker Heights
Malik Muhammad, CB, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
Sydir Mitchell, DL, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
Payton Kirkland, OL, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
