Miami offers 300-pound DT, joins race with Auburn, Tennessee: “It was a blessing”

Englewood (Co.) Cherry Creek 2026 defensive tackle Tufanua Ionatana “TI” Umu-Cais has already earned interest from programs like Auburn, Tennessee and Utah, but after landing an offer from Miami earlier this month, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound high school sophomore is ready to consider the Hurricanes.

Umu-Cais still has plenty of research to do about the University, he said, but called Miami one of the top 10 schools he’s received offers from thus far. He’s also landed offers from programs including Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa State and Colorado but said the quality of Miami’s coaching staff and their commitment to the program are particularly appealing. He also felt tight ends coach Cody Woodiel made a good first impression when he offered Umu-Cais following an in-school evaluation.

“He told me about the environment at Miami,” Umu-Cais said. “He talked about the weather and how it’s very nice out there. He told me that Miami is going to be offering me. I told him I was very thankful and that it was a blessing. Then I went on with my day with a lot of excitement.”

Umu-Cais said he hopes to land at a program that rushes multiple down linemen and linebackers to allow one-on-one matchups with offensive linemen and doesn’t “want to be taking up 2-3 guys every play,” although he still hopes to research more programs and defensive schemes. He has yet to visit any programs this spring but took an unofficial visit to Utah last year. He has also added nine Power Conference offers since the start of the new year.

“All of the schools to offer really (are doing a good job recruiting),” Umu-Cais said. “They all have something to offer that is positive.”

Umu-Cais said he’ll “definitely” attend prospect camps at Oregon and Oklahoma but is still looking at camping at other programs.

CaneSport’s Take

Umu-Cais could be a prospect to watch at nose guard or defensive tackle down the road given his natural size, speed, strength and head coach Mario Cristobal’s success recruiting Polynesian stars from the western half of the country. He’s also played offensive guard at the high school level, although he’s looked far more comfortable as an interior defensive lineman in different 3-4 fronts and has had success as a run-stopping defender. He is yet to receive a ranking from three of the four major recruiting databases, including On3, and is not yet ranked by the On3 Industry Ranking.

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