USC making push for all stars Tuipulotu & Werts
JANUARY 16, 2016 BY PHIL KORNBLUT LINK: SPORTSTALK
Hank Tuipulotu
USC has turned up its interest in two of the state’s top prospects, both of whom are committed to out of state programs. The Gamecocks have offered TE Hank Tuipulotu of Nation Ford and are hosting him this weekend for an official visit, and they have invited ATH Yafari Werts of Newberry for an official visit next weekend.
Tuipulotu, who is Mormon, is committed to BYU and Werts is committed to Georgia Southern where he is visiting this weekend.
Tuipulotu led the nation with 125 catches according to statistics compiled by MaxPreps. He totaled 1711 yards and 11 touchdowns. And in the Touchstone Energy North-South game he caught 4 passes for 32 yards. As a junior he caught 105 passes for 1322 yards and 17 touchdowns.
According to Nation Ford coach Michael Allen, USC has been interested in Tuipulotu since Will Muschamp and Bobby Bentley came on the scene.
“The visit has been set up for awhile,” Allen said. “When they made a coaching change and Coach Muschamp came in, they contacted us and pretty much said Hank Tuipulotu is one of their top guys and they had to have him. Of course they knew he was committed verbally to BYU but of course the coaching change at BYU has shaken it up a little bit. It’s kind of like a window of opportunity as well and I think the Tuipulotu family will seriously look at this option. It’s a pretty good option for this family, an extremely tight knit family, and they can keep him closer to home where he can spend time with his family and he can see his brothers and sister compete.”
Muschamp and Bentley were by the school on Thursday to meet with Tuipulotu. The BYU coaches who recruited Tuipulotu are now at Virginia and Allen said they could come in on him at some point as well. But this USC opportunity has grabbed his attention for now.
“He’s extremely excited to go visit USC and see what the possibilities are for him,” Allen said.
Of course, as a Mormon Tuipulotu is looking at a two year mission with his church at some point and Allen said USC, or any school for that matter, has to be willing to work with that.
“They are going to have to, it’s just that simple,” he said. “It’s not for Hank to decide, it’s for the institution to decide. It’s not like it’s that rare. That is what it is. You recruit that person understanding the only thing you have to deal with is a possible two year mission.”
Tuipulotu has strong family ties to BYU. Both is father and uncle played football for the Cougars.
Allen said he’s not sure how soon after this weekend’s visit Tuipulotu and his family will get together on a decision.
Werts, who was picked for the Shrine Bowl, committed to Georgia Southern last June over offers from Appalachian State, Citadel, Mercer, Newberry, Furman, Wofford, Presbyterian and Charleston Southern. The interest from USC has given him something more to think about.
“That was kind of always my dream school but they never really recruited me,” Werts said. “I heard from them a few times but nothing like it is now.” Werts said the Gamecocks like him as a slot receiver and a return man.
Werts will visit USC next weekend and will go to Appalachian State right after that visit. He is scheduled to visit North Carolina January 29th.
JANUARY 16, 2016 BY PHIL KORNBLUT LINK: SPORTSTALK
Hank TuipulotuUSC has turned up its interest in two of the state’s top prospects, both of whom are committed to out of state programs. The Gamecocks have offered TE Hank Tuipulotu of Nation Ford and are hosting him this weekend for an official visit, and they have invited ATH Yafari Werts of Newberry for an official visit next weekend.
Tuipulotu, who is Mormon, is committed to BYU and Werts is committed to Georgia Southern where he is visiting this weekend.
Tuipulotu led the nation with 125 catches according to statistics compiled by MaxPreps. He totaled 1711 yards and 11 touchdowns. And in the Touchstone Energy North-South game he caught 4 passes for 32 yards. As a junior he caught 105 passes for 1322 yards and 17 touchdowns.
According to Nation Ford coach Michael Allen, USC has been interested in Tuipulotu since Will Muschamp and Bobby Bentley came on the scene.
“The visit has been set up for awhile,” Allen said. “When they made a coaching change and Coach Muschamp came in, they contacted us and pretty much said Hank Tuipulotu is one of their top guys and they had to have him. Of course they knew he was committed verbally to BYU but of course the coaching change at BYU has shaken it up a little bit. It’s kind of like a window of opportunity as well and I think the Tuipulotu family will seriously look at this option. It’s a pretty good option for this family, an extremely tight knit family, and they can keep him closer to home where he can spend time with his family and he can see his brothers and sister compete.”
Muschamp and Bentley were by the school on Thursday to meet with Tuipulotu. The BYU coaches who recruited Tuipulotu are now at Virginia and Allen said they could come in on him at some point as well. But this USC opportunity has grabbed his attention for now.
“He’s extremely excited to go visit USC and see what the possibilities are for him,” Allen said.
Of course, as a Mormon Tuipulotu is looking at a two year mission with his church at some point and Allen said USC, or any school for that matter, has to be willing to work with that.
“They are going to have to, it’s just that simple,” he said. “It’s not for Hank to decide, it’s for the institution to decide. It’s not like it’s that rare. That is what it is. You recruit that person understanding the only thing you have to deal with is a possible two year mission.”
Tuipulotu has strong family ties to BYU. Both is father and uncle played football for the Cougars.
Allen said he’s not sure how soon after this weekend’s visit Tuipulotu and his family will get together on a decision.
Werts, who was picked for the Shrine Bowl, committed to Georgia Southern last June over offers from Appalachian State, Citadel, Mercer, Newberry, Furman, Wofford, Presbyterian and Charleston Southern. The interest from USC has given him something more to think about.
“That was kind of always my dream school but they never really recruited me,” Werts said. “I heard from them a few times but nothing like it is now.” Werts said the Gamecocks like him as a slot receiver and a return man.
Werts will visit USC next weekend and will go to Appalachian State right after that visit. He is scheduled to visit North Carolina January 29th.
