https://samoanfootball.com News on Samoan, Tongan, and Native Hawaiian football players across the NFL, college, and high school. en-us Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-19-schefter-vita-vea-now-wants-a-deal-not-a-trade Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL ESPN's Adam Schefter says the Tampa Bay standoff has flipped, telling audiences "It feels like we've gone from Vita Vea wanting a trade to Vita Vea now wanting to try to get a deal done." The 31-year-old Tongan nose tackle is playing on a deal averaging $17.8 million with $18 million due in 2026, well shy of the market Jeffery Simmons reset at $35.3 million, and the Bucs have rebuffed trade interest all summer. Vea remains a hold-in and is still not practicing, but co-owner Joel Glazer made a rare walk onto the practice field Tuesday for a chat with him. (Vita Vea, Joel Glazer, Jason Licht) — via Pro Football Rumors https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-19-eagles-makai-lemon-misses-another-practice-with-hamstring Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL The No. 20 overall pick sat out Wednesday's session, roughly two weeks into a hamstring absence that has also cost him a preseason game in Baltimore. Lemon, the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner out of USC and the reigning Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, was spotted running routes on a side field earlier in the week, but Philadelphia is expected to stay cautious with the Week 1 opener against Washington approaching. When healthy he projects as the Eagles' No. 2 receiver behind DeVonta Smith. (Makai Lemon, DeVonta Smith) — via NBC Sports https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-19-mauigoas-giants-head-to-miami-for-joint-practice-preseason-g Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL New York flies to South Florida for a Thursday joint practice with the Dolphins and Saturday's preseason Week 2 game at Hard Rock Stadium, the team's only look at an outside opponent this summer before the 53-man cutdown. Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa, the No. 10 overall pick and a converted right tackle now penciled in at right guard, started the Giants' preseason opener against Minnesota. The Saturday game returns him to Hard Rock Stadium, where he played his home games for the Miami Hurricanes. (Francis Mauigoa, Malik Nabers, Najee Harris) — via Giants.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-tua-credits-nick-saban-mantra-after-dolphins-release Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Falcons quarterback said a line from his former Alabama coach — "Things don't happen to you. They happen for you." — carried him through Miami moving on from him this offseason. Tagovailoa said the release was hard to accept but that Saban's framing kept him believing his career was not finished. He landed in Atlanta and is positioned to open the season under center with Michael Penix Jr. working back from a knee injury. (Tua Tagovailoa, Nick Saban, Michael Penix Jr.) — via ClutchPoints https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-patriots-weigh-moving-first-rounder-caleb-lomu-to-guard Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL New England is considering cross-training its 2026 first-round pick at guard after Ben Brown's leg injury thinned the interior behind starter Alijah Vera-Tucker. Coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the risk of overloading the rookie, saying "You don't want to derail the improvement that he's making and some of those things." The 6-foot-6, 21-year-old Utah product of Tongan descent has taken most of his camp reps at right tackle behind Morgan Moses through an up-and-down August. (Caleb Lomu, Mike Vrabel, Morgan Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker) — via Boston.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-sitakes-byu-opens-no-14-in-ap-preseason-poll Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE The Associated Press released its preseason Top 25 on Monday, with Kalani Sitake's Cougars tied with USC at No. 14 on 839 points — the second-highest preseason ranking in BYU history. Utah, entering Morgan Scalley's first season after Kyle Whittingham's departure, opened at No. 21 with 304 points. Texas Tech, BYU, Utah and Houston gave the Big 12 four ranked teams, and Sitake enters Year 11 riding a 23-4 mark over the past two seasons. (Kalani Sitake, Morgan Scalley, Kyle Whittingham) — via Deseret News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-mateaki-helu-shines-in-utahs-saturday-scrimmage Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE First-year Utah coach Morgan Scalley singled out sophomore running back Mateaki Helu, saying he "showed up in a big way" in a scrimmage that left a crowded backfield unsettled. Scalley declined to reveal a depth chart — "I'm not going to tell you what that depth is, but we got good depth" — and flagged red-zone execution as the day's problem, with "too many field goals" instead of touchdowns. The Utes open Sept. 3 against Idaho. (Mateaki Helu, Morgan Scalley) — via Deseret News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-hawaiis-top-four-collide-in-saturday-open-division-doublehea Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS High School on SI's Monday Elite 12 kept the board frozen after Tropical Storm Lala scrambled the weekend slate — Kahuku (1-0) No. 1, Mililani (1-0) No. 2, Saint Louis (0-1) No. 3, Kamehameha Kapalama (1-1) No. 4 — and all four play each other Saturday at 7 p.m., with Kahuku at Kamehameha Kapalama and Saint Louis at Mililani. Kahuku, under first-year coach David Stant, opened with a 20-12 win over Saint Louis behind quarterback Lucky Suguturaga, while Kamehameha is coming off a 16-7 home loss to Utah's Orem. Friday's headliner sends No. 5 Waipahu, fresh off a 40-17 win over defending Open Division champion Campbell, to Kapolei at 7 p.m. (Lucky Suguturaga, David Stant, Kaeo Drummondo, Chauncey Alo) — via Sports Illustrated https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-tafuna-brings-samoan-football-culture-to-salt-lake-city Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CULTURE The six-time American Samoa champion Tafuna Warriors stopped at West High School in Salt Lake City during their mainland trip, bringing Samoan hymns, prayer and pregame traditions into a Utah program that coach Kisi Fonua says is roughly 90 percent Polynesian, mostly Tongan and Samoan. Fonua said Tafuna has the culture "so deeply rooted into their football culture" in a way mainland Polynesian players rarely get to witness firsthand, and called the visit "a huge moment" for both programs. For many Tafuna players it was their first time on the U.S. mainland; the Warriors opened the tour with a 46-0 win over Salt Lake City East on Aug. 14. (Kisi Fonua) — via Samoa News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-19-giants-trade-daniel-faalele-to-jaguars-for-a-2027-sixth-roun Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL New York dealt the 6-foot-8 Melbourne-born guard to Jacksonville on Wednesday for a 2027 sixth-round pick, pending a physical, after the Jaguars hit a rash of interior-line injuries. Faalele, 26, started all 17 games in each of the past two seasons for Baltimore before signing with the Giants in April. (Daniel Faalele) — via ESPN / AP https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-19-fotu-left-as-the-giants-lone-polynesian-interior-lineman-aft Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL With Daniel Faalele shipped to Jacksonville, Tongan nose tackle Leki Fotu is now New York's only Polynesian presence in the interior of the line. Fotu has appeared in 66 games with 26 starts across four NFL stops. (Leki Fotu, Daniel Faalele) — via Giants.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-vita-vea-shows-up-to-bucs-practice-in-street-clothes-as-trad Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Tongan-American DT Vita Vea attended Buccaneers practice in black street clothes rather than team colors, only pulling on a practice jersey for the final 20-plus minutes — a break from the joint practices in New Jersey against the Jets, where he had worn his No. 50 jersey and a Bucs hat. Vea, 31, requested a trade in late July after extension talks stalled; he is in the final year of a four-year, $71 million deal averaging $17.75 million, which ranks 19th among interior defensive linemen. Agent Collin Roberts told the Tampa Bay Times, "I just don't see it ending in anything but a trade at this point," while GM Jason Licht has said he has no plans to trade him. (Vita Vea, Jason Licht, Collin Roberts, Mike Garafolo) — via JoeBucsFan https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-16-marcus-mariota-sprains-mcl-in-commanders-preseason-opener-ou Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Washington backup QB Marcus Mariota, the Samoan-American Saint Louis School (Honolulu) alum, sprained the MCL in his right knee in the first quarter of the Commanders' 20-7 preseason win over Miami on Friday, Aug. 14, injuring it while pivoting on a handoff to rookie Kaytron Allen. Coach Dan Quinn said Sunday that Mariota will miss the final two exhibition games. Quinn said the team remains optimistic he will be ready for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against Philadelphia: "We're optimistic he'll be ready at that time." (Marcus Mariota, Kaytron Allen, Dan Quinn) — via ESPN https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-16-scoob-paogofie-posts-two-sacks-as-hawaii-closes-fall-camp-wi Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Hawaii linebacker Aisiah "Scoob" Paogofie recorded two sacks and two pass breakups in the Rainbow Warriors' 98-play training camp finale scrimmage at the Ching Complex, which was moved up to 8:30 a.m. to beat Tropical Storm Lala. Hybrid rush end Noah Wily, now 240 pounds after adding 50 in the strength program, added two sacks and a tipped pass; Kahuku product Kainoa "Kaikai" Carvalho caught five passes including a 40-yard catch-and-dash plus two long kickoff returns, and nickelback Elijah Palmer picked off a pass. Defensive coordinator Chris Brown on Paogofie: "I think he can be a superstar here." Rotations are set ahead of the Aug. 29 opener at Stanford. (Aisiah Paogofie, Noah Wily, Kainoa Carvalho, Elijah Palmer, Davone Rice, Chris Brown) — via West Hawaii Today https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-16-taueve-satarakas-pick-six-not-enough-as-californias-edison-b Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Visiting Edison of Huntington Beach jumped out 27-0 before 'Iolani found its footing in a 41-27 decision at Eddie Hamada Field. 'Iolani defensive back Taueve Sataraka returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown, and running back Jordan Anzai gained 81 yards on 16 carries with a 21-yard scoring run. Edison's Sam Thomson threw three touchdown passes while Gavyn Degiacomo ran 12 times for 76 yards and two scores. 'Iolani coach Patrick Samsonas: "They're a really good team in the CIF. I'm proud of our guys for battling." (Taueve Sataraka, Jordan Anzai, Joshua Griffin, Sam Thomson, Gavyn Degiacomo, Patrick Samsonas) — via Honolulu Star-Advertiser https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-16-american-samoa-wins-group-a-finishes-fifth-in-the-world-at-f Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CULTURE American Samoa closed the 2026 IFAF Men's Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf with a fifth-place finish in its first appearance at a world championship. The territory, population roughly 47,000, went 2-1 in group play — beating Australia and the United States after an opening loss to Israel — to win Group A ahead of the eventual champion Americans, then fell to Canada in the quarterfinals; Canada went on to take bronze. American Samoa reached the tournament by finishing third at the Asia-Oceania championship and entered the IFAF world rankings at No. 33. — via IFAF / Wikipedia https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-toa-sams-late-td-lincoln-uiagaleleis-pick-lift-no-1-mililani Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Mililani rallied from a 24-14 halftime hole to beat Liberty (Nev.) 31-24 at John Kauinana Stadium, with Toa Sam scoring the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 2:10 left and defensive lineman Lincoln Uiagalelei sealing it by intercepting a middle screen with 1:21 remaining. Punahou transfer QB Hunter Fujikawa went 20-of-34 for 273 yards and three scores, and Bless Cabrera-Hopkins caught eight passes for 148 yards and two TDs. Liberty's Ezra Sanelivi ran 18 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Mililani played most of the game without nationally rated 6-foot-5 receiver Zion White, who hurt an ankle hurdling a defender. (Toa Sam, Lincoln Uiagalelei, Hunter Fujikawa, Bless Cabrera-Hopkins, Ezra Sanelivi, Zion White) — via Honolulu Star-Advertiser https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-javoni-halalilos-pick-six-carries-utahs-orem-past-kamehameha Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Orem, ranked No. 1 in Utah's 5A, opened the scoring on a JaVoni Halalilo interception return for a touchdown and held on 16-7 at Kunuiakea Stadium in a defensive game played in 20-25 mph gusts from Tropical Storm Lala. QB Rock Speredon went 11-of-18 for 163 yards with a 21-yard scoring strike to Brooks Ross, and Adrian Sanchez added a 31-yard field goal. Kamehameha's Maddox Sharrer ground out 75 yards on 25 carries with a 4-yard TD, and the Warriors' front recorded four sacks, two by Esaiah Wong. Halalilo credited film study: "That's all we've been doing. Every day, watching the film, watching same play over and over." (JaVoni Halalilo, Rock Speredon, Brooks Ross, Maddox Sharrer, Esaiah Wong, Adrian Sanchez) — via Honolulu Star-Advertiser https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-american-samoas-tafuna-warriors-mercy-rule-salt-lake-citys-e Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Tafuna High School, a six-time American Samoa champion making a travel-team trip to Utah, shut out Salt Lake City's East 46-0 in a nonregion opener, scoring 12 in the first quarter, 16 in the second, 12 in the third and six more in the fourth before the UHSAA's 44-point mercy rule ended the game with 9:14 left. East did not generate an offensive score. For many Tafuna players it was their first trip to the U.S. mainland. — via Deseret News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-filisi-filipes-73-yard-dash-caps-three-td-night-as-herriman- Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Herriman running back Filisi Filipe scored three touchdowns in a 25-14 Week 1 win over Bountiful, breaking a 73-yard touchdown run with 1:14 remaining to put the game away after earlier scoring on runs of 54 and 2 yards in the first half. Bountiful closed with two fourth-quarter scores — a 3-yard Madden Parks run and a 38-yard Hudson Malmrose-to-Max Feller pass — but could not erase the early deficit. (Filisi Filipe, Madden Parks, Hudson Malmrose, Max Feller) — via Deseret News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-tj-tuha-rob-tuaone-power-timpview-past-layton-40-21-in-utah- Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT HS Timpview built a 26-3 halftime lead and beat Layton 40-21, with TJ Tuha leading the ground game on multiple scoring runs including a 41-yard touchdown in the third quarter and Rob Tuaone returning an interception 45 yards for a score. Layton got two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Tillman Thomas to Drew Godderidge in a late rally. Elsewhere on opening night, Crimson Cliffs QB Tanoai Andresen threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 33-21 loss at Lone Peak. (TJ Tuha, Rob Tuaone, Tanoai Andresen, Tillman Thomas, Drew Godderidge) — via Deseret News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-taulia-tagovailoa-throws-5-tds-as-american-samoa-stuns-team- Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT CULTURE American Samoa, the lowest-ranked men's team in the field at No. 33 and making its World Championship debut, beat six-time champion United States 38-32 in group play at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, ending a 14-year U.S. unbeaten run dating to 2012. Taulia Tagovailoa, the former Maryland and Alabama quarterback and Tua's younger brother, completed 29 of 36 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns, and receiver Bralon Brown caught 11 balls for 118 yards. Receiver Vailele Peko said, "We put our island on the map. We were written out, world No. 33. I hope everybody sees that we are somebody," while head coach Sterling Carvalho added, "We might be the littlest country out here, but we have the biggest hearts." (Taulia Tagovailoa, Bralon Brown, Vailele Peko, Sterling Carvalho) — via Samoa News https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-uiagalelei-bypasses-draft-headlines-oregons-edge-tandem Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Oregon edge Matayo Uiagalelei (6-5, 270) returned for another season despite heavy NFL interest and opens fall camp locked in as a starting edge rusher opposite Teitum Tuioti. Uiagalelei posted 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024 to lead the program and earn Big Ten First Team, then registered six sacks last season as a junior; he and Tuioti combined for 15.5 sacks in 2025 and are projected as potential 10-sack producers apiece in 2026. He carries preseason Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award watch-list recognition. Asked what he is chasing in camp, Uiagalelei pointed to "finishing plays on the football side, being more physical in the run game" under new pass-rush coach Rip Rowan. With A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander back inside, the Ducks' line is drawing best-in-the-country talk. (Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, A'Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander) — via 247Sports Oregon; Sports Illustrated Oregon; Autzen Zoo depth chart projection, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-tuioti-led-oregon-in-sacks-and-remains-the-ducks-quiet-star Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Oregon edge Teitum Tuioti opens 2026 fall camp as a projected Week 1 starter after leading the Ducks in sacks last season with 9.5, adding 68 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus graded him above 80.0 as both a run defender and a pass rusher — a combination few edge players reach in the same season. CBS/SI ranked him No. 22 on its list of college football's 25 most important players for 2026, while noting he "gets talked about the least of any elite edge rusher in the country." Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei return as one of the nation's top edge duos, with Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing and Anthony Jones rotating behind them in what edge coach Kamran Araghi called "a young room, and they're doing such a fantastic job of leading them." (Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, Nasir Wyatt, Elijah Rushing) — via Sports Illustrated / CFB HQ; 247Sports Oregon; Autzen Zoo, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-raiola-settles-in-behind-dante-moore-in-loaded-oregon-qb-roo Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola opens Oregon's fall camp as the No. 2 quarterback behind returning starter Dante Moore, with Brock Thomas and Akili Smith Jr. behind them. Raiola was the No. 6 transfer quarterback in January's portal window after throwing for 4,819 yards with 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions across 22 career starts in Lincoln. Dan Lanning confirmed Raiola knew Moore's return was possible when he committed, and Raiola has called learning under Moore "something special" while framing the backup role as growth rather than setback. Moore said of him: "I know when he comes here, he's gonna be a great guy for the QB room. I'm gonna make sure to give him the thoughts that Dillon Gabriel did for me." (Dylan Raiola, Dante Moore, Dan Lanning) — via FishDuck, August 2026; On3; 247Sports; ClutchPoints https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-freshmen-topui-and-ili-push-for-usc-rotation-spots-in-camp Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE USC's two most-watched Polynesian freshmen are trending up through fall camp. Defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui — a Mater Dei product at 6-3, 325 who USC flipped from Oregon and who ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the 2026 class — is competing for a key rotational role on what is considered one of the roster's strongest units after a good spring. Linebacker Talanoa Ili, at 6-3, 225, is described as the most talented linebacker recruit the Trojans have landed in years: a first-team All-Trinity League pick as a freshman who earned Hawaii Player of the Year honors as a senior at Orange Lutheran. Ili is in position to earn rotation snaps with a strong camp and should at minimum be a core special teams contributor. Topui personally recruited Ili to USC. (Tomuhini Topui, Talanoa Ili) — via Sports Illustrated USC ("Six Intriguing USC Freshmen on Defense to Watch During Fall Camp"); ESPN; Yahoo Sports, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-nico-iamaleava-secure-at-ucla-as-brother-madden-battles-for- Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE UCLA redshirt junior Nico Iamaleava enters fall camp as the unquestioned starting quarterback — "He was the starter in June, and he'll be the starter in August" — while learning his third system in three years under new head coach Bob Chesney, who brought much of his James Madison staff and personnel with him. The one real quarterback battle in Westwood is behind him: younger brother Madden Iamaleava and Cal Poly junior transfer Ty Dieffenbach have been swapping places, both taking reps with the second and third groups. Nico occupies an unusual position for a veteran — experienced but simultaneously the new guy in a rebuilt offense with new coaches and new weapons. The Bruins open against Cal. (Nico Iamaleava, Madden Iamaleava, Ty Dieffenbach, Bob Chesney) — via Sports Illustrated UCLA; Yahoo Sports, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-sagapolutele-enters-year-two-at-cal-as-the-established-start Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Cal sophomore Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele opens Tosh Lupoi's first fall camp as the settled starting quarterback, a year after being named the starter a week before the 2025 opener as a true freshman and throwing for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns on a 7-6 team. "Now being here being allowed to be the quarterback for the team, it's so fun, it's such a blessing," the Campbell High (Hawai'i) product said. New coordinator Jordan Somerville is installing a pro-style system with more under-center and play-action work: "We've had some carryover from last year but a lot of NFL integration into it." Sagapolutele also praised the backfield — "If you look at our running backs, they're crazy." Guard Sioape Vatikani, a PFF ACC Offensive Team of the Week honoree in 2025 with 23 career starts, is a good bet to start up front. Cal opens against UCLA. (Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Sioape Vatikani, Tosh Lupoi, Jordan Somerville) — via Sports Illustrated Cal, July 17, 2026; FOX Sports; CBS San Francisco; Aloha State Daily, Aug. 4, 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-texas-transfer-lefau-projects-at-weak-side-backer-for-colora Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Liona Lefau, the Kahuku, Hawai'i product who spent his first three seasons at Texas, is projected as Colorado's weak-side linebacker after transferring to Boulder — a portal addition Deion Sanders' staff has treated as a coup. The Buffaloes stacked their linebacker room through the portal, and while the group is still unfamiliar with one another, the talent in the room is not in question; Colorado's position-group rankings entering camp reflected that overhaul. Lefau has leaned into the bonding side of August, describing how much he values being around teammates, getting to know each other better and being together around the clock during camp. He is competing in a room that also includes Gideon Lampron. (Liona Lefau, Gideon Lampron, Deion Sanders) — via Sports Illustrated Colorado (position group rankings; Lefau transfer coverage); 247Sports, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-nabou-anchors-rebuilt-a-m-line-as-lone-returning-starter Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Texas A&M center Mark Nabou Jr. enters his fifth year in College Station as the only returning starter from last season's playoff offensive line, and re-signed with the Aggies for 2026 on a deal worth up to $1.2 million. He holds the starting center job in the projected Week 1 two-deep after the first week of camp, surrounded by portal additions: tackles Wilkin Formby (Alabama) and Tyree Adams (LSU) and guards Coen Echols (LSU) and Trovon Baugh (South Carolina) are all likely to start. Nabou has previously made a point of competing wherever the staff needs him regardless of position. Elsewhere on the roster, true freshman quarterback Helaman Casuga sits behind Brady Hart in the race to back up starter Marcel Reed, with Hart well ahead through week one. (Mark Nabou Jr., Helaman Casuga, Brady Hart, Marcel Reed) — via Sports Illustrated Texas A&M; Yahoo Sports projected Week 1 two-deep, August 2026; Gig Em Gazette https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-michigan-freshman-lee-holds-backup-right-tackle-spot-behind- Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Michigan true freshman offensive tackle Malakai Lee, the four-star Hawai'i product listed at 6-7 and 349 pounds, holds the backup right tackle spot in the Wolverines' offensive line room entering the season but is not expected to start in 2026. Michigan's depth at tackle makes meaningful snaps unlikely; camp analysis suggests any 2026 action would come in mop-up duty, on special teams, or as a sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages given his size and pedigree. Lee and fellow four-star freshman Marky Walbridge are both realistic redshirt candidates. He is regarded as a pure tackle at this level, meaning the staff has no incentive to burn developmental time by forcing him inside. (Malakai Lee, Marky Walbridge) — via Maize n Brew; The Two Deep depth chart; Sports Illustrated Michigan; Yahoo Sports, August 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-18-stanfords-tafiti-tabbed-as-breakout-edge-threat-before-hawai Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Stanford linebacker/edge Tevarua Tafiti, a 6-3, 211-pound Honolulu native, is being positioned as the Cardinal's primary pass-rush threat heading into 2026 and is projected for a statistical breakout. He has compiled 119 tackles, eight sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss over his past three seasons on The Farm, and became the first Stanford linebacker since Sean Barton in 2018 to record an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the same season. His most recent full campaign produced 46 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss for 23 yards, 2.5 sacks for 18 yards, nine quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. Opponent previews already flag him as the Stanford defender to account for. The Cardinal open Aug. 29 against Hawai'i. (Tevarua Tafiti) — via Stanford Athletics roster and bio; Sports Illustrated Miami 2026 opponent preview; 247Sports; Ourlads https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-nacua-still-sidelined-by-core-injury-from-cowboys-joint-prac Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Nacua left practice early Aug. 11 with a lower-body issue later identified as a core muscle injury suffered during the Rams' joint practice with Dallas, then sat Aug. 13 with muscle soreness as Sean McVay said he expected the All-Pro back the following week. Nacua and Myles Garrett were both still out of practice Monday, Aug. 17, with reports describing him as week to week; he was not going to play Saturday against the Saints regardless, since McVay does not use starters in preseason games. Before the injury Nacua was the only receiver working exclusively with the first team, and on Day 9 he made a pair of one-handed grabs — a leaping sideline catch from Stetson Bennett IV and a lunging snag on a deep middle slant. (Puka Nacua) — via ESPN / AP / TheRams.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-savaiinaeas-film-shown-in-dolphins-team-meeting-after-washin Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Miami's new staff under Jeff Hafley moved Savaiinaea back to right guard, his natural spot at Arizona, after a rookie season at left guard that produced a 28.4 PFF grade — worst among qualifying guards — with eight sacks and 45 pressures allowed. He turned in near-flawless tape in Friday's preseason game at Washington, and Hafley pulled it up in Saturday's team meeting as the standard for the room; Savaiinaea followed with another strong Monday practice, driving linemen out of gaps and stalemating rushers. 'It feels amazing, being able to be shouted out like that,' he said. 'But at the end of the day, it's all a team ... it was all of us,' crediting Aaron Brewer, Austin Jackson, Kadyn Proctor and Patrick Paul. (Jonah Savaiinaea) — via MiamiDolphins.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-gilman-picks-off-second-camp-pass-as-chiefs-secondary-finds- Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Gilman intercepted a pass during a defensive period Aug. 13 and grabbed another in a goal-line 11-on-11 period early in Monday's practice, playing over the middle of the field on a throw that may have been tipped at the line. The former Charger and Raven, signed ahead of 2026, has taken on a vocal leadership role in a young Kansas City secondary, and was in the middle of the Aug. 8 chippiness when Kenneth Walker III objected to a hit near the sideline during a long-drive period. That same stretch of camp saw left guard Kingsley Suamataia — in his third Chiefs season and listed atop the depth chart at the spot — throw a punch at defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah during an 11-on-11 rep. (Alohi Gilman, Kingsley Suamataia) — via Chiefs.com / Arrowhead Pride / KSHB https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-satuala-still-sidelined-by-foot-fracture-but-sitake-eyes-wee Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE BYU safety Faletau Satuala — a 2025 second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America — broke his right foot in a summer workout on campus and was given an eight-week timeline in June, costing him most of preseason camp that opened Aug. 5. He is projected as a starting safety opposite Raider Damuni but had not practiced as of mid-August. Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said, "I think we're right on schedule (for his return) and I think he will be back sooner than everybody thinks," and head coach Kalani Sitake said he expects Satuala back for week one. Camp reporting has him "recovering from a foot injury he suffered in the offseason," with hopes of full health by week two at the latest. (Faletau Satuala, Raider Damuni, Kelly Poppinga, Kalani Sitake) — via Deseret News, June 12 and Aug. 13, 2026; KSL Sports; Sports Illustrated BYU, Aug. 17, 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-esera-drops-10-pounds-takes-on-bigger-role-in-byu-front-seve Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE BYU redshirt junior linebacker Siale Esera has trimmed to 240 pounds — 10 lighter than last season on his 6-foot-3 frame — and is running with the first-team linebacker group alongside Isaiah Glasker and Cade Uluave. Esera started 10 games in 2025 and finished with 48 tackles, one sack and four quarterback hurries. Coordinator Kelly Poppinga framed the weight cut as a mobility play: "Speed and athleticism in space — that's the main thing for him, being able to get him to change direction and be a little more productive out of the box." Esera said the reduction "makes me a little faster. I'm moving around the backer positions, playing all over, inside and outside." Reserves behind him include Kansas State transfer Jake Clifton and Nusi Taumoepeau. (Siale Esera, Isaiah Glasker, Cade Uluave, Kelly Poppinga, Nusi Taumoepeau) — via Deseret News, Aug. 17, 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-makasini-wins-byus-left-guard-job-after-missing-spring Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Sonny Makasini has taken the starting left guard spot in BYU's projected two weeks into fall camp, lining up between left tackle Paki Finau and center Bruce Mitchell in front of quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Makasini played in 14 games at guard for the Cougars in 2025 but missed spring camp recovering from injury, leaving the job open when August practice began Aug. 5. Media observation of a Monday practice confirmed him with the first unit. Sitake has noted several offensive linemen picked up minor injuries during scrimmage work, making Makasini's availability meaningful. Fellow Polynesian starters projected around him include tight end Roger Saleapaga on offense and Tanuvasa, Uluave, Esera, Satuala and Damuni on defense. (Sonny Makasini, Paki Finau, Bruce Mitchell, Roger Saleapaga, Kalani Sitake) — via Sports Illustrated BYU, Aug. 17, 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-maiava-adds-walter-camp-nod-after-leading-nation-in-qbr Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE USC quarterback Jayden Maiava was named to the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award preseason watch list on Aug. 17, adding to a Maxwell Award watch-list spot and selection as one of 12 Big Ten players on the conference's 2026 preseason honors list. Maiava completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025, added 157 rushing yards on 54 carries with six scores, and led the nation with a 91.2 QBR. He enters his fourth college season and third at USC with 31 career starts and full backing from Lincoln Riley, who said at Big Ten media days: "Of all the guys that I've been fortunate enough to coach, I don't know that I've had anyone that has improved from day one to this point as much as Jayden has." (Jayden Maiava, Lincoln Riley) — via USC Athletics release, Aug. 17, 2026; Yahoo Sports; Sports Illustrated USC https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-17-fifita-makes-walter-camp-list-calls-final-arizona-year-all-o Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Arizona senior quarterback Noah Fifita was named to the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list on Aug. 17, one of only 22 quarterbacks selected. The Wildcats opened camp Aug. 5 at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center in year three under Brent Brennan, building off a 9-4 season with what the program is openly calling Heisman-level quarterback play. Returning to offensive coordinator Seth Doege's system for a second year, Fifita said the familiarity is already paying off: "There's a continuity, and there's a confidence that comes with that." He has been rotating through multiple receiver groups to build timing in a deep skill room, and set the bar publicly: "The outcome goals are clear… a Rose Bowl and a Big 12 championship." Fifita and running back Tre Smith are the camp's stated leadership core. (Noah Fifita, Tre Smith, Brent Brennan, Seth Doege) — via University of Arizona Athletics release, Aug. 17, 2026; AllSportsTucson, Aug. 10 and Aug. 14, 2026; KGUN9 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-16-fano-wins-browns-left-tackle-job-after-wrestling-jared-verse Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL The No. 9 overall pick out of Utah had split first- and second-team reps with Dawand Jones through the first two weeks of camp until a Saturday 11-on-11 rep against Pro Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse, who ripped Fano's helmet off and tossed it before the two wrestled on the ground and were separated — then lined up against each other again on the very next play. Todd Monken moved him to exclusive first-team work the following day, saying, 'Don't you want to see a player, especially on the O-line, not back down?' Fano then played 33 first-half snaps in his preseason debut against Chicago's 3-4 front, drawing a passing grade from Monken: 'I thought Spencer played good for a rookie. I don't think the moment was too big for him.' (Spencer Fano) — via BrownsZone / AP https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-15-ioane-locks-down-ravens-right-guard-stanley-looks-like-a-sea Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Baltimore's first-round pick slid into the starting right guard job from the moment he arrived, even though he logged 1,349 career snaps at left guard at Penn State against just 135 at right guard plus 17 at center in 2024 — the switch forced by free-agent signing John Simpson, who has played only left guard the last three seasons. 'It's definitely a little bit of work to get used to again, but there isn't much to it,' Ioane said, while Ronnie Stanley offered that the rookie 'has been great ... he looks like a seasoned vet out there.' Head coach Jesse Minter called him 'so athletic and so powerful' but said the priority is mastering the footwork line coach Dwayne Ledford demands; Ioane made his NFL debut Aug. 15 against the Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. (Vega Ioane) — via BaltimoreRavens.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-tagovailoa-not-up-to-par-in-nine-snap-falcons-preseason-debu Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Tagovailoa started Atlanta's preseason opener and went 3-of-5 for 22 yards across two series — nine snaps producing a single first down — with all four of his targets going to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., and he lost control of the ball out of shotgun on his second snap before falling on it in a 27-7 loss to Denver. 'Definitely not up to standard, not even up to par,' he said afterward. 'What we put out there is not a reflection of the hard work that we've put in the first two weeks into training camp ... I'm competing. I'm wanting to go out there for points on the board.' Kevin Stefanski spread the blame — 'I evaluate the entire offense in that regard' — and has still not named a Week 1 starter, though Michael Penix Jr. remains limited to 7-on-7 work while rehabbing his ACL. (Tua Tagovailoa) — via ESPN / Atlanta Journal-Constitution https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-14-pomee-preaches-attacking-the-line-as-oregon-state-defense-re Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Oregon State defensive tackle Tevita Pome'e met the media alongside head coach Trent Bray's staff on Aug. 14 and laid out the front's camp mindset: attack at the line of scrimmage and create a new line of scrimmage rather than waiting behind it. The Utah native, who originally signed with Oregon before landing in Corvallis, measures his camp by what he calls his "1/11th" — whether coaches ask him to play a lag technique, handle two gaps or execute any other assignment, his standard is doing his job on every snap. Pome'e played 10 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2025 and recorded seven tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Beat coverage has noted the Beavers' defense is starting to look like a different unit through camp. (Tevita Pome'e) — via Oregon State Athletics, "Crandall, Pome'e Meet The Media," Aug. 14, 2026; Fanrecap https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-13-vea-holds-in-as-bucs-standoff-hardens-agent-sees-only-a-trad Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Vea requested a trade the day before camp opened and has spent the summer holding in — present at the facility for meetings, watching practice from the sideline in his familiar No. 50, and helping coach teammates through position drills after tweaking his back in the July 30 conditioning test. He is set to make $17 million in 2026 with none of it guaranteed and a per-game roster bonus capped at $1 million, money that ranks 21st among interior defensive linemen in a market reset by Jalen Carter's four-year, $152 million deal and Jeffery Simmons' three-year, $105.8 million pact. GM Jason Licht said Aug. 6 the Bucs have 'no plans' to trade him and that 'we love Vita ... we've been engaged with his agent recently,' while agent Collin Roberts told the Tampa Bay Times he 'doesn't see it ending in anything but a trade'; Vea traveled to the Jets joint practices Aug. 11 but did not take a rep. (Vita Vea) — via ESPN / Sports Illustrated / AP https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-13-hoohuli-emerges-as-the-voice-of-hawaiis-linebacker-room Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Senior linebacker Wynden Ho'ohuli, the 6-3, 230-pound Nebraska transfer out of Mililani High on O'ahu, has become a defensive leader in Hawai'i's fall camp and is viewed as a potentially dangerous pass rusher for Timmy Chang's defense. Linebackers coach Chris Brown said, "Wynden has really, really stepped up his game and stepped up as a leader." Ho'ohuli and fellow returner Jamih Otis are back in what the unit calls the Lions Den, and Ho'ohuli made a point of arranging their lockers side by side: "I wanted to be right next to him because I knew it was going to be me and him this season, and we needed to rock." He framed the group's charge simply: "We got to be the standard." (Wynden Ho'ohuli, Jamih Otis, Chris Brown, Timmy Chang) — via Hawaii Sports Radio Network, Aug. 13, 2026; University of Hawai'i Athletics; College Football News 2026 preview https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-13-five-star-freshman-henry-jr-forces-his-way-into-ohio-states- Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Ohio State five-star freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. — the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2026 class, raised by his Tongan mother Loleini Tonga after his father's death in 2009 — has been one of the standouts of Buckeyes fall camp. On day one he made a contested touchdown catch in 7-on-7 work and turned a slant over the middle into a long gain in team drills. At 6-5, 211, he and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin emerged as the top two candidates to start opposite Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss. He may not open as a starter, but all indications are he is a major part of the rotation immediately, with red-zone value as defenses double Smith. Eleven Warriors debuted him at No. 19 in its Buckeye 20 preseason rankings. (Chris Henry Jr., Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin) — via Eleven Warriors practice observations and Buckeye 20, August 2026; Sports Illustrated Ohio State; Land-Grant Holy Land https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-12-fautanu-calls-steelers-flip-to-left-tackle-pretty-seamless Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Fautanu, who did not miss an offensive snap at right tackle in 2025, has run as Pittsburgh's first-team left tackle all camp in a line that reads Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook — with McCormick also flipping to the left side, both men returning to their college positions. 'Obviously little hiccups here and there, but for the most part the transition's been pretty seamless, especially when I have him next to me being able to communicate as well as he does,' Fautanu said, adding that he spent the six-week break getting comfortable but 'you don't really know until you go out there and go against somebody.' The job now carries the blind side for 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers; captain Cam Heyward said, 'I personally think he can play any position on the O-line and be an All-Pro at any one of them.' (Troy Fautanu) — via Steelers Depot https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-11-tuipulotu-back-in-team-drills-says-hell-play-without-new-dea Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Tuipulotu opened camp holding in, working only individual drills in full jersey and helmet from July 30 through Aug. 3 — further than most hold-ins go — before Jim Harbaugh reframed the absence as a 'ramp up' on Aug. 4. He was a full participant in the Aug. 5 walkthrough and returned to team drills Aug. 6, then said Aug. 11 he intends to play the season regardless of the contract: 'I'll let my agents and the guys upstairs handle that.' The 23-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie deal after a 13-sack, 20-tackle-for-loss 2025 that ranked him sixth in the NFL in sacks. (Tuli Tuipulotu) — via ESPN / Chargers.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-11-ashlock-day-to-day-with-knee-injury-as-hawaii-receivers-step Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Hawai'i's leading receiver Pofele Ashlock has been sidelined since the first of 20 training camp practices with a knee injury and remains day-to-day with no timetable, though he has made progress. Ashlock caught 76 passes on a team-high 118 targets in 2025 and hauled in 14 catches on 17 targets for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Hawai'i Bowl, earning 2025 All-Mountain West second team and a spot on the conference's 2026 preseason first team. "You don't replace a guy like (Ashlock) with the amount of snaps, the amount of reps, and just his production," head coach Timmy Chang said. The Kamoku brothers, Kaikai Carvalho and Tama Uiliata — 28 catches for 231 yards in all 13 games last season, himself back from a spring injury — are absorbing the reps. Hawai'i opens against Stanford on Aug. 29. (Pofele Ashlock, Tama Uiliata, Kaikai Carvalho, Timmy Chang) — via Hawaii News Now, Aug. 11, 2026; Honolulu Star-Advertiser and West Hawaii Today, July 30, 2026 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-10-buckner-wins-pass-rush-reps-in-first-camp-back-from-neck-sur Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Buckner, 32, arrived at Grand Park cleared to practice after missing the entire offseason rehabbing neck surgery, and the Colts have deliberately ramped his workload toward the Sept. 13 opener against Baltimore; on Sunday he won two one-on-one pass-rush reps and generated pressure in an 11-on-11 period. 'Whenever Buck is out there, you can definitely feel him. It's great to get him out there getting some team reps,' Shane Steichen said, adding the staff is 'monitoring him through training camp, where his body's at, but he feels good' — Buckner has held pressure rates of 11.4%, 11.1%, 11.1% and 11.4% over his last four seasons through injuries and heavy double teams. Third-year edge Laiatu Latu, who spent the offseason adding upper-body strength and attended the 2026 Sack Summit with Von Miller, Cam Jordan and Maxx Crosby, says he feels a step quicker and is Indianapolis' best bet to break a 10-sack drought that dates to 2019. (DeForest Buckner, Laiatu Latu) — via Colts.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-10-cal-transfer-uluave-slots-in-as-byus-starting-linebacker Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Cade Uluave, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 transfer portal class per 247Sports, has moved straight into BYU's starting linebacker unit alongside Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera, replacing NFL departure Jack Kelly. The South Jordan, Utah native leaves Cal with 237 career tackles, 21.5 TFL, six sacks and three interceptions in 34 games (26 starts), having won 2023 Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-ACC last season on 97 total tackles (42 solo) and three sacks. "This is when all the magic happens. This is really the meat and potatoes of football. This is the grind," Uluave said of August, adding of BYU: "I think everything's just more detailed and detail-oriented and I think there's a lot more fun." Observers note his "speed and effort are off the charts" learning new coordinator Kelly Poppinga's scheme. (Cade Uluave, Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera, Kelly Poppinga) — via BYU Daily Universe, Aug. 10, 2026; Sports Illustrated BYU; KSL Sports https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-09-fairbairn-drills-60-yarder-tootoo-flashes-in-texans-night-pr Sun, 09 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL At Saturday night's practice inside Houston Methodist Training Center, Fairbairn capped C.J. Stroud's two-minute drill with a 60-yard field goal and added another to close Davis Mills' series. Newly extended linebacker Henry To'oTo'o knifed into the backfield to tag off running back Woody Marks almost immediately on a handoff during team drills, then drilled Marks on a short sideline completion in the two-minute period and forced an incompletion on the following snap. To'oTo'o is one of six linebackers on Houston's camp roster alongside Azeez Al-Shaair, Jamal Hill, Jake Hansen, Wade Woodaz and Marte Mapu, the 6-3, 230-pound Sacramento State product acquired from New England in April for a 2027 sixth-rounder. (Ka'imi Fairbairn, Henry To'oTo'o, Marte Mapu) — via HoustonTexans.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-08-kekahuna-projects-as-uncs-slot-receiver-and-gadget-weapon Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Wisconsin transfer Trech Kekahuna is projected as North Carolina's starting slot receiver in Bill Belichick's second season, with his ability as both pass-catcher and runner making him a distinctive piece of the offense. At 5-10, 185 he lacks prototypical Power Four size but has brought what UNC coverage describes as a rugged, gritty mindset to a receiver room where essentially every starting job has been open. In three seasons at Wisconsin he caught 55 passes for 614 yards and two touchdowns and carried 14 times for 129 yards and a score. With camp intensity ramping up ahead of the Tar Heels' season opener in Ireland, Kekahuna summed up the mood plainly: "Everybody gets excited to hit people." (Trech Kekahuna, Bill Belichick) — via Tar Heel Times, Aug. 8, 2026; On3; Chapelboro; Sports Illustrated UNC https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-06-rimington-finalist-laloulu-back-on-watch-list-for-senior-yea Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE Oregon center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu was named to the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list on Aug. 6, a year after becoming just the fourth Duck ever named a finalist for the award given to college football's top center. Laloulu announced his return to Eugene for his senior season rather than entering the draft, and has started each of Oregon's last 30 games since his starting debut in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl — 28 of those 30 at center. He anchors an offensive line that has been a Joe Moore Award finalist each of the past three seasons and enters camp as the projected Week 1 starting center, with Dave Iuli at guard. Laloulu is chasing Jackson Powers-Johnson (2023) as the second Oregon center to win the Rimington. (Iapani Laloulu, Dave Iuli, Jackson Powers-Johnson) — via University of Oregon Athletics release, Aug. 6, 2026; On3 https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-05-mcmillan-adds-slot-reps-weight-after-1-014-yard-rookie-year Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Coming off 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award on a division-winning team, McMillan has come back at his college playing weight and is taking noticeably more slot work after lining up inside on roughly 15% of his snaps in 2025. Dave Canales says he is 'bigger and stronger,' and McMillan pointed to the jump in his connection with Bryce Young: 'The standards are higher ... chemistry is a lot different, a lot more confidence Bryce has in me.' Young said McMillan's football intelligence now allows conversations about route nuance and defensive adjustments rather than fundamentals; McMillan on the offense as a whole: 'We're pretty good. I feel like we're very slept on.' (Tetairoa McMillan) — via Panthers.com https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-05-luvu-takes-green-dot-as-commanders-install-daronte-jones-def Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL The eight-year veteran has been handling the defensive signal-calling duties through the installation of new coordinator Daronte Jones' system, a job that goes beyond relaying the call to include diagnosing offensive alignments and getting the front set. Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw have both said Luvu 'has been that guy getting everyone set,' per Nicki Jhabvala's reporting, though the assignment is not yet locked in for the regular season. Luvu posted a career-high eight sacks with six pass breakups and an interception in 2024 before injuries around him pushed him into a more conventional pass-rush role in 2025; a healthier, deeper front should return him to the blitzing role that made him Washington's best 2024 addition. (Frankie Luvu) — via Sports Illustrated / Washington Post https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-05-usc-returns-all-five-ol-starters-noa-tauanuu-hold-their-jobs Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT COLLEGE USC returns all five offensive line starters for 2026, with senior Alani Noa at right guard and Justin Tauanuu at right tackle joining Elijah Paige, Tobias Raymond and Kilian O'Connor. Noa has appeared in 29 games with 22 starts over three seasons in Los Angeles; Tauanuu earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a sophomore and is expected to hold off five-star freshman Keenyi Pepe, rated the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class by 247Sports and described as college-ready. Three practices into camp, Noa said at USC Media Day that the group's depth, chemistry and coaching under Zach Hanson give it a chance to be one of the program's biggest strengths this fall. (Alani Noa, Justin Tauanuu, Keenyi Pepe, Elijah Paige, Zach Hanson) — via On3, Aug. 5, 2026; Sports Illustrated USC https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-04-sewell-settling-in-at-left-tackle-as-lions-open-right-side Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Detroit moved its three-time first-team All-Pro from right tackle to the left side, where Sewell played in college and as a rookie, and he has told reporters there is no fixed timeline for feeling fully settled: 'For me, personally, right now it's just poise and just taking it day by day.' Dan Campbell said in the spring the switch would be 'like riding a bike for him ... he has played left. That's muscle memory.' Sewell allowed just 1.0 sack with two penalties over 16 games in 2025; his move opened a right tackle competition between rookie No. 17 pick Blake Miller, who took 96.5% of his Clemson snaps at right tackle, and veteran Larry Borom, who allowed one sack in 16 games last season, with the two splitting first-team reps through OTAs and minicamp. (Penei Sewell) — via DetroitLions.com / MLive https://samoanfootball.com/news 2026-08-04-payton-keeps-elliss-on-edge-hes-really-ascending Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT NFL Denver toyed this offseason with moving Elliss from outside linebacker to off-ball inside linebacker, but Sean Payton confirmed he stays on the edge in 2026 and said he is glad they left him there because 'he's really ascending as an edge player.' Elliss recorded a sack and generated consistent pressure in the Broncos' second padded practice on Day 4, and has been one of the loudest camp risers in a deep Denver edge room. Through two seasons and 30 games he has 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits; Payton also drafted his older brother Kaden in the seventh round in New Orleans in 2019. (Jonah Elliss) — via Predominantly Orange / Mile High Report