Liona Lefau is one of Hawaii鈥檚 best-kept secrets
KAHUKU, Hawaii (BVM) 鈥� Adaptability is one of Liona Lefau鈥檚 many elite traits.
With Hawaii鈥檚 fall football season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kahuku High School sophomore adapted and took his talents to Washington to play a shortened spring season in the Pacific Northwest. While at Sammamish High School, the linebacker at heart adapted once again to play whatever position his new team needed him to.
Lefau made plays at safety, defensive end, wide receiver and on special teams during the Totems鈥� four-game season. It鈥檚 this adaptability, and versatility, that sets Lefau apart from other elite athletes around the country.
鈥淚鈥檓 a versatile player; I play anything, whatever they need,鈥� Lefau said. 鈥淚 just like to compete and, at the end of the day, make sure my team wins. I鈥檓 just a team player and like to be a leader on the field.鈥�
Some clips from the Mesquite Pylon Tournament! Having fun at slot and Linebacker!馃馃
— Lion (@LefauLiona)
Despite Lefau鈥檚 innate knack for finding the end zone as a receiver, resulting in a handful of big plays due to his speed and elusiveness, the sophomore鈥檚 position of choice is linebacker. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Lefau often uses his explosiveness to punish ball carriers at the point of attack.
鈥淚鈥檓 a linebacker,鈥� Lefau said. 鈥淚鈥檝e played middle linebacker like my whole life, but I can play anything. If we needed a safety, then I鈥檇 tell coach I can play that, or if we needed a defensive end.
鈥淭hen when I go onto offense, I just like to make plays and expect to get into the end 锄辞苍别.鈥�
Some WR clips from the Pylon championship game..
— Lion (@LefauLiona)
Lefau鈥檚 ability to make plays from just about any position on the field has been noticed by a handful of Power 5 programs. Arizona State and Washington offered the in the last week alone, while Michigan, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and others have also extended offers.
The recruiting process has been something new for the sophomore, but Lefau has taken solace in the fact that Power 5 coaches have taken notice.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been cool,鈥� Lefau said of his recruiting process. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see that I didn鈥檛 put in all this work for nothing and that coaches are starting to notice. It鈥檚 been something different for me.鈥�
The coaching staff at Washington has made an impact on Lefau early on, citing the Huskies鈥� campus (via Zoom) and coaching philosophy, but the sophomore鈥檚 recruitment is wide open. Ultimately, Lefau said he鈥檚 just hoping to find his new home, one he won鈥檛 consider leaving soon after his arrival.
鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to get out there and in two years or in one year, I鈥檓 in the transfer portal,鈥� Lefau said. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to find my new home to where I can stick with that decision and stay for my three or four years.鈥�
Please check out my Sophomore full season highlights! (4 games)
ILB/WR _,,_
Check out my highlight –
鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 鈦� 鈦︹仼— Lion (@LefauLiona)
