Magnum Mauga to BYU

Former AIGA Foundation Combine participant Magnum Mauga and Grossmont College Defensive Lineman has made a verbal commitment to play at BYU in 2007. Mauga's brothers Dallas and Rainbow Mauga will play at San Diego State this fall.

Mauga makes '07 commitment to BYU

East County Sports.com
PROVO, Utah (6-14-06) -- Less than two months after losing former Helix High receiver TODD WATKINS in the National Football League draft to the Arizona Cardinals, Brigham Young University is reloading on its share of talent from the Highlanders.

On Friday (June 9), Cougars head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced a verbal commitment from MAGNUM MAUGA, a 6-foot, 265-pound defensive end prospect who played a variety of positions for Grossmont College as a freshman last season, helping the Griffins capture both the state and national community college football titles.

"BYU is the right place for me," Mauga recently told The Total Blue Network. "It has what I need to become a better person and achieve my football, spiritual and academic goals. It has everything. I love the coaches, the players, and just everything about BYU, and that's why I committed while on my trip."

Mauga filled in at defensive tackle and middle linebacker for Grossmont, while also playing a touch at fullback. However, Mauga is penciled in at defensive end for the 2007 Cougars after he concludes his playing career with the Griffins this season.

According to the website CougarBlue.com, among others, Mauga was recruited by Washington State, Auburn, Arizona, Florida, Boston College, Nebraska, UCLA, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, Oregon State and SDSU. In addition to BYU, Mauga received scholarship offers from Arizona, Washington State and Auburn.

In other words, Mauga is a hot commodity.

Mauga was a consistent force for Grossmont College last season, including a 6-tackle performance against El Camino in the Southern California semifinals, and a season-high 8 tackles in the regular season home finale against Victor Valley.

Mauga was also a turnover maker, grabbing a key interception to help the Griffins rally from 21 points downs to upend Chaffey for the Foothill Conference title, and caused an important fumble which ignited a 31-6 rout of Southwestern.

Mauga also returned an intentionally short kickoff, racing 25 yards to setup a touchdown against Mt. San Jacinto.

During the current offseason, two of Mauga's brothers -- defensive lineman DALLAS and fullback RAINBOW -- committed to play for Sacramento State.