Amituani lines up three visits

Every year, Long Beach Poly (Calif.) is loaded with Div I talent and this year is no exception. As many as 10 players could sign in February and one of those will be two-way standout Conan Amituani.

Amituani, 6-3, 280 pounds played at Los Alamitos (Calif.) as a junior and then transferred to Poly later in his junior year. He had a dominant showing at the SoCal Nike camp where he was rated by everyone as the top defensive lineman in the camp and dominated the position and one on one drills.

Amituani also tested well showing very good athleticism for a big man clocking a 5.16 in the 40 and a 4.62 in the shuttle to go with 23 reps on the bench.

Although he worked out with the lineman, Amituani is playing as much tight end as defensive tackle and said he actually prefers to play on the offensive side of the ball.

"I've been playing tight end since Pop Warner," Amituani said. "I've only been playing defense for a couple of years now and I still don't really know the position that well. I get a little nervous because I don't know what I'm doing as much as I do at tight end. I'm thinking too much instead of just reacting so I know I have a lot to learn at the position."

On the season, Amituani has six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. He has shown soft hands when thrown too and with his size and ability to move, he's an excellent blocker. He also has 19 tackles on defense and is an intriguing prospect with a nice upside to him because of his size, strength and athletic ability.

On the recruiting front, Amituani picked up an early offer from Arizona his junior year when he camped with the Wildcats. Wildcats defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo is Amituani's uncle and Arizona has been a clear leader for his services.

"I like Arizona a lot, especially with my uncle being there," Amituani said. "They offered me early and have been recruiting me hard ever since. Utah and Oregon have also offered and I'm hearing a lot from Washington and Cal as well.

"My first trip is set up for Oregon on (Dec. 2) but I'll probably have to move that because that's the same weekend we'll hopefully be playing in the CIF semi-finals. I'm tripping to Washington on (Dec. 16) and Arizona is (Jan. 13). Cal likes me as a tight end, the other schools like me as an athlete who could play on either side of the ball."