West Jordan's Tofa buoys BYU's late push for top in-state defensive talent

WEST JORDAN — In a signing-day ceremony that has been played out so much over the years it has become a parody of itself, Alden Tofa’s hand fluttered over a UCLA hat at West Jordan High School Wednesday morning.

He stopped. His mom, a BYU-Hawaii graduate and self-proclaimed BYU fan, gasped. Then his hand moved to a Utah hat next to it, and tapped the UCLA and Oregon hats on the table, as well.

Alden’s father Sam had a smile on his face, but even he went through a wave of emotions as he wondered which school his son, the No. 2 defensive end prospect in the state of Utah, would commit to attend for the next four years.

But Alden Tofa knew all along. He had called BYU head coach Kalani Sitake two nights previous and made his commitment. He just wanted to have a little fun.

“I know it’s the right place for me to go right now,” the 6-foot-4, 255-pound recruit said of BYU. “When I was on my official visit, it just felt like home and like it’s where I need to be. The whole coaching staff and the environment over there is something special. I don’t think it’s like anywhere else. It felt like home; it felt natural to me.”

With the signing, Sitake and BYU began to close out the 2017 recruiting class — the first complete class under the second-year head coach. Five of the top six defensive end prospects in the Beehive State pledged to BYU Wednesday, with Tofa joining Bingham’s Langi Tuifua as the two of the top pass-rushers in the state.

Tofa, a three-star recruit, also ranks No. 36 nationally amongst defensive ends, according to Scout.com. Tuifua, the No. 1 defensive end prospect in Utah, ranks 23rd nationally by Scout.com.

“He was excited, and he told me he loved me and we are going to do good things,” Tofa recalled of telling Sitake via phone. “I can promise the fans that the next couple of years, we’re going to be doing big things.”

Kept in the dark during the entire recruiting process, tears welled up in Sam Tofa’s eyes as he watched his son take selfies, pose for more distinguished photos with friends and clasp hands with his teammates who signed with Weber State and Southern Utah on the same day.

The father never knew of his son’s decision. A family of BYU fans, the elder Tofa tried to feel out his the Jaguars' standout, who made 56 tackles in 2016 and his intentions.

He even floated the idea of signing with Southern California — a school that did not make Alden Tofa’s top four, but did recruit the prospect in his West Jordan home several times.

Through it all, the teenager remained tight-lipped — even after he told Sitake.

“They all wanted this kid,” Alden Tofa said. “There is nothing more I can say to really say more. I fell for all of them, too. They wanted Alden so much, and they gave us great nights, but it wasn’t easy, though. Everyone was fighting for him.”

Tofa will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints immediately following high school, but he hopes to return in time for summer workouts in 2019, like many in the Cougars’ 2017 signing class.

“I wish I could play sooner,” he said. “But I know this is where I’ve got to be. It’s for the best. I can’t wait to get back and start balling.”

In addition to Tofa and Tuifea, BYU also added Hunter defensive end Lorenzo Fauatea with a late addition, while Payson tight end/defensive end Tyler Batty and Acworth, Georgia, product Tanner Baker, who may also play tight end, rounded out the defensive end talent in the group.

“I don’t even think stressful is a big enough word to explain how hard it was,” Tofa said. “The closer it got, the worse my anxiety got. But as soon as I got down on my knees and prayed, I felt comfort. That’s when I knew BYU was the place I have to go.”

For complete coverage of BYU's 2017 recruiting class, go to the Recruit Central page on KSL.com.

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