Fatu Turituri, a 6-2, 290-pound offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College, is Kentucky?s first signee of the 2005 recruiting class, Coach Rich Brooks announced Monday.
?Fatu is a very active lineman who also could get a look on defense,? Brooks said. ?He has a big body, experience, good feet, and good technique.?
Turituri (pronounced ?FAH-tu TUR-ee-TUR-ee?) was an offensive tackle the past two seasons at L. A. Harbor. He helped power the Seahawks to the 2004 South Division championship of the Western States Conference, the first championship in school history. He was named first-team all-division. With the help of Turituri?s blocking, the 2004 squad rewrote the school records for rushing. Running back Joe Harris ran for a school-record 1,562 yards and placed second in the state in rushing.
Turituri, a native of Samoa, will enroll in Kentucky in January and will have two seasons of eligibility. Here is a bio:
Fatu Turituri, Offensive Lineman, 6-2, 290, Jr-JC, Long Beach, Calif. (Sataitua HS/Los Angeles. Harbor College)
? Offensive lineman known for his athleticism and technique ? Two-year starter at offensive tackle at Los Angeles Harbor College ? First-team All-South Division of the Western States Conference during his sophomore season ? Posted a blocking grade of 89 percent for the season and was credited with 20 pancake blocks ? Helped L. A. Harbor win the 2004 South Division championship, the school?s first title since joining the league in 1988 ? Member of a 16-team conference, L. A. Harbor led the league in rushing and placed fourth in total offense ? The 2004 team rewrote the school records for rushing ? Seahawk running back Joe Harris ran for a school-record 1,562 yards and placed second in the state in rushing yardage … Junior college head coach was Steve Schmitz ? Assistant coach Andy Alvillar said of Tutituri, ?We?re a school known for producing offensive linemen and Fatu is one of the top linemen we?ve had. He has good feet and exceptional technique. He has long arms and a good punch? ? Attended Sataitua High School in American Samoa ? Played three years as an offensive and defensive lineman in high school, helping Sataitua win Samoan championships during his sophomore and junior seasons ? Coached by Pooth Taase ? Also played volleyball and basketball ? Chose Kentucky over New Mexico.
