Soma Vainuku, 6'1/265 Lb/4.75 2010 RB/LB prospect

[woundedknees]

Rey Maualuga's cousin, from Eureka, California.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upbeY0IlvpY

This kid looks like a monster, on video. Comes complete with a good old 'Stiff Arm"! (I believe this film was from his sophomore season, in 2007.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPCuhoxL ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxWTSJ4w ... re=related

In the Under Armour/Scout Oakland combine held in June, '08, Vainuku was considered the top RB in attendance. (The link is to a premium site.)

http://scoutcombines.scout.com/a.z?s=45 ... 62498.html

Look for #3...





Hard to think of this kid as a RB, but he has shown enough interest in Oregon that he attended the '08 UCLA game (Per an old DucksAttack column.)... Could be interesting.

[karlhungis]

Kind of reminds me of PJ Hill. 4.75 seems awfully slow for our offense though. I am curious where our coaches would put a guy like him.

[Mops]

He is being recruited for both RB and for LB. I'd expect we'd use him as an Hback type back if we decided to put him on offense. Sure would help in goaline situations however.

[autzenzoo]

I wonder how good his hands are... I have a feeling he would put the hurt on db's if he got into the secondary.

[Boom]

I think our offense would under utilize someone like that. I would be pretty surprised if he came here.

[woundedknees]

I didn't see a lot of film on him receiving, except for short screen type passes... Of course then he just ran over a couple of guys.
Mops is right, though... Having that kind of hammer in short yardage situations could really be a plus for this offense... Imagine Soma and any other RB in the backfield, be it LMJ, or even Ethan Grant... Which one do you cover, especially with Masoli or Thomas sitting there with the ball in his hands?

And then Chip has them throw it... To Chris Harper!

[briarduck]

His size at MLB would be great but I agree they would under-utilize him on offense.

We need more game changer on D!

GO DUCKS!!

[jhopduck]

Was Blount inside the 5 yard line under utilized? 18 TD's most in Oregon history under utilized?
I'm not saying this is the answer, and Blount is probably a little faster and more fleet of foot, but a bruiser like this does have a place in our offense. And besides I bet he can knock the snot out of some RB's while he's on D too.

[woundedknees]

I only saw defensive one play in the videos I reviewed... That running back went down hard.

2008 Stats, per MaxPreps.com:

117 rushes, for 869 yards (7.43 YPC 60 yard long), and 14 TDS.

2 receptions for 15 yards.

2 fumbles.

On Defense, Vainuku had 20 solo tackles, 14 assists (34 total), 1 INT (49 yard return), and 1 blocked FG.

[jhopduck]

He's slower than our usual candidates, but with proper training we can get him a little faster, and if for any reason we do switch to a 3-4, having a run stuffing MLB will be a must.

[ivegottabigduck]

I was just going to post he is PERFECT for the 3-4

[briarduck]

Too slow for RB or MLB at Oregon. Maybe he can bulk up and become a DT?

This is simply not true. For goal line or short yardage his 40 time is irrelevant and who know what his real 40 time is after he gets proper diet and works on his speed with coach Rad! At LB his speed is fine (no not great) but we have had guys with his speed play LB fopr us. And again like a ssaid above lets see what type of speed is there after coach Rad gets ahold of him. I see him being a 6'1" 250 MLB for us with his forft around 4.6 and he could also see situational RB duty for shorty yardage and goal line duty!!

GO DUCKS!!

[Elduderino]

Well, I can finally feel usefull around here. I've actually seen Soma play a bunch this last year; the dude is a stud on a team that really isn't all that good and really doesn't play competition that is too tough. His 40 time is probably pretty accurate, but he does play awfully fast (game speed). If I'm being honest, I'm not sure where he would fit at UO, maybe as a short yardage guy, but he is probably best suited on the defensive side of the ball. I agree that he may thrive in an odd front scheme that puts more backers on the field. Just one guys opinion.

[Boom]

Was Blount inside the 5 yard line under utilized? 18 TD's most in Oregon history under utilized?
I'm not saying this is the answer, and Blount is probably a little faster and more fleet of foot, but a bruiser like this does have a place in our offense. And besides I bet he can knock the snot out of some RB's while he's on D too.

Blount is pretty much an every down back. So no he is not under utilized. If you recruit a kid to only play short yardage situations then he would be under utilized. It would be nice to have that luxury, but I just don't think the kid would want that role. He would be better suited for a team that actually utilizes the fullback or want's him to play MLB.

[dd10snoop28]

Fullback?