Ducks Make Four-Star LB Naki Tuakoi a Priority
The Ducks have a glaring need at linebacker in 2024. And one-time Georgia linebackers coach Dan Lanning is pushing hard for Naki Tuakoi of Fremont Senior High in Oakland (Calif.).
The On3 Industry Comparison ranks the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder as the nation’s No. 301 junior and its No. 32 linebacker.
The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has Cal as the slight favorite for Tuakoi, with Oregon a close second.
Tuakoi gave ScoopDuck an in-depth preview of his recruitment and his plans for this season.
“This spring I will be going to USC-UCLA on April 1 with my 7-on-7 team,” he said.
Thoughts on Oregon?
“Staying in touch with me and big priority for sure,” he said. “And the staff is great and the campus and the staff.
“(Tosh) Lupoi and Lanning are solid people. (I would be) taken care of there and a big priority.
”Keeping consistent contact.”
What does he think of the coaching staff?
“Lupoi he’s a very hyped coach,” he said, ”and (the) type of coach that has high energy. (He) reminds me of my coach.
“Solid dude. Jokes around but knows when it’s time to work. (He) coaches based on his energy.
“He’s a good coach.”
And the head man?
“Coach Lanning (has) been through it,” he said. “What he’s been through (has led him to) understanding what the kids go through.
“I explained to him the difficult time I go through, and (he) understands what I’ve gone through.”
Where do Lanning and Lupoi see Tuakoi fitting in?
“The Ducks want me to play inside linebacker,” he said. “That suits what I want to do in college.”
Tuakoi knows living in Eugene would be an adjustment.
“Oregon was my first visit besides Cal,” he said, “and this is how college football is gonna be. I haven’t ventured outta Oakland, and it was different.
“I leave it up to my coaches and figure out travel plans.”
Tuakoi said Oregon, Notre Dame, Stanford, ASU and Oklahoma are recruiting him the hardest.
What are his goals for this season?
“Prepare for college and ball out,” he said. “Faster, bigger, stronger.”
Although Tuakoi hasn’t left the Bay Area much physically, he certainly has in his imagination.
“I’m a nerd growing up and didn’t talk to anyone,” he said. “(I read) 536 books as a ninth-grader.
“Manga books.”
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