Alani Fua

A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Fua received scholarship offers from Ohio State, UCLA and several others, but committed to BYU prior to his senior year, redshirting in 2010. He saw limited action in as a redshirt freshman and sophomore in 2011-12, combining for 19 tackles. Fua moved into the starting line-up at SAM linebacker in 2013, recording 63 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks as a junior. He battled injuries as a senior and started nine games in 2014, finishing with 42 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

strengths

Tall, moldable frame with adequate arm length...excellent pursuit speed and consistently plays fast with an active style...flexible ankles with loose body control to redirect his momentum on the fly, bursting in any direction...goes from A-to-B in the quickest time possible...shows bend and burst off the edge...large catching radius to get his hands on the ball (20 passes defended and five interceptions in his career) - turns into an athlete with the ball, averaging 23.4 yards per interception return, including one score...heady player with desired mental alertness.

summary

A prospect of Tongan descent, Fua lined up mostly at strongside linebacker the last two seasons for BYU and did everything on defense from rushing the passer to lining up and covering slot targets. He sucks up tight ends with the size, speed and agility that cannot be coached, using his range to be an excellent pursuit player. Athleticism and talent aren't problems for Fua, but he does need to add technique and discipline to his play style. He needs to get stronger and add bulk, but there are questions about how much muscle mass he can add to his frame. Fua's best fit at the next level will depend on scheme, but he has the versatility to stand out on special teams while he develops into a specific role on defense.

versatile skill-set with experience all over the field - wasn't unusual for him to line up at five different positions throughout the course of a game...man of few words, but leads by example, drawing praise from his coaches for his hard work...very mature and not a player teams have to worry about off the field - married (malaysia) in high school with two young sons (four-year old jrae and two-year old malakia)...football bloodlines - older brother (sione) was a stanford defensive tackle and third round pick in the 2011 nfl draft; father (george) was a tight end in the afl after going undrafted in the 1991 nfl draft; cousin (kyle van noy) was a former teammate and linebacker at byu and second round pick of the detroit lions in the 2014 nfl draft.

WEAKNESSES

lean-framed with skinny limbs and questionable growth potential...average-at-best functional strength and lacks ideal muscle mass for the nfl...plays too high and needs to use his flexibility to consistently dip as a rusher - not a leverage player at the point of attack...doesn't play heavy-handed and needs to load more ammo into his punch to jolt at the point of attack and work off contact.

Consistently a step behind and needs to improve his anticipation to read the play before it unfolds...needs to better use his frame to box out receivers in coverage and keep them uncomfortable...tackling technique requires refinement to better finish with his hips and lower body...didn't have a permanent home on defense and is a square peg, but many NFL teams are looking for round holes...history of nagging injuries and his body type contributes to his lack of durability - missed three games and parts of several others with an ankle sprain (Oct. 2014) as a senior.

Prepped at Oaks Christian

Rated the No. 25 weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com

Offensive-Defensive Bowl All-American

First Team Ventura County

Recorded 71 tackles as a senior, along with nine sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles as Oaks Christian earned a 13-1 record

Also caught 25 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in 2009

Had 67 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble as a junior

Also lettered in volleyball

Coached by Bill Redell.

Born in San Fernando, California

Parents are George and Helen

Married to wife Malaysia and has two sons

Older brother, Sione, played defensive tackle at Stanford before being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers

Also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Hawaii, Ohio State, Oregon, Oregon State and Washington

Majoring in construction management.