Lutui helping Trinity grind out yards
Euless (Texas) Trinity is running like a well-oiled machine this year. The Trojans are 10-0 and ranked No. 3 nationally in the RivalsHigh 100. Their bread and butter is the running game and they have one of the best offensive lines in the Lone Star State.
The anchor of that line is offensive guard Hiva Lutui. The 6-foot-3, 284-pound junior is one of the top offensive line prospects in the state for the class of 2012. Several schools have been in contact with the big road grader.
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"I'm mostly hearing from the Big 12 and SEC," Lutui said. "Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, LSU and schools like that are writing a lot. I've talked to some of the coaches from OU like Brent Venables.
"I'm not sure if any schools are close to offering. Time will tell on that. I'm just playing as hard as I can for my team right now."
This fall, Lutui has had the opportunity to see two games in person.
"I've been to a Texas A&M game and also the OU-Texas game," he said. "I saw A&M when they played Florida International. I really liked both of them. I really think both OU and A&M have good programs."
Though he is hearing from schools around the region, Lutui's top program is a West Coast school. However, he does have significant ties to that area.
"I really want to go to SC - University of Southern California," he said. "I grew up over there in California. I moved to Texas about six years ago."
If the Trojans do not come forward with an offer, Lutui has two local schools in which he is very interested as well.
"Oklahoma State stands out to me right now," he said. "Also, the Oklahoma Sooners - those are my favorite schools out of the Big 12."
Lutui plays left guard for the Trojans. The offense is averaging 480 yards, including 377 rushing, and 51 points per game in Texas' largest classification. Trinity opens the Class 5A-Division I playoffs this weekend against South Grand Prairie.