Athlete Profile: Jordan Tausaga Western HS (Anaheim, CA)

Keep an eye out for Offensive Lineman Jordan Tausaga of Western High (Anaheim). His teammate Andrew Iupati is another Samoan that should have a good senior year this fall.


California OL Getting Attention

Jeremy Crabtree
Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Anaheim (Cailf.) Western offensive guard Jordan Tausaga was one of the better surprises at the USC NIKE Training Camp. Not only did he run in the 5.0-second range in the 40-yard dash, he measured in at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds.

His drill work was also impressive, something that might surprise a lot of people because he's only been playing football for two years.

"This is his second year of playing tackle football," Malili Tausaga, Jordan's father, said. "He's still really new to the game. He's a converted basketball player. He's a very good basketball player – a lefty – and he decided one day that football should be his future."

And so far the decision has been a smart one.

Tausaga played offensive guard and defensive tackle for Western as a sophomore and junior. This past year he had 70 tackles, 35 solo stops and seven sacks. College coaches also like his quick feet on the offensive line.

"He's the only player at Western that played both ways," Tausaga said. "He's very strong and good with his hands. He's projected to move to defensive end this year and has already added 15 more pounds of muscle."

Tausaga looked good at the NIKE Camp, but he knows he could do better.

"He has re-dedicated himself after the USC camp," Tausaga said. "He never believed he could be this big-time football player, but he saw how he did against the other guys at the NIKE Camp and said to himself 'I can do this.' "

Tausaga early on has been getting a lot of regular mail from Fresno State, Kansas State and Oregon State. He does not have an offer quite yet, but a lot of schools are expected through during the spring evaluation period to see more film.