Two-way standout gets first two offers
Linebacker/H-back Ina Liaina (6-0, 220, 4.8) from Oxnard (Calif.) Rio Mesa picked up two offers this spring and there is every indication that this trend will continue.
According Rio Mesa coach Bob Gregorchuk, Liaina landed two offer this spring from Oregon State and San Diego State. There are rumors that BYU has offered but this has not been verified.
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USC and their sharp eye for talent is showing a lot of interest in Liaina.
"(USC offensive coordinator)Steve Sarkisian is very excited about Ina as a fullback," Gregorchuk said. "Both of his offers Oregon State and San Diego State like him as a linebacker.
"Most of the schools that came by this spring are surprised that Ina hasn't received more offers," Gregorchuk said. "More should be on their way, he's getting contacted by everyone.
"Ina is getting contacted by the likes of Utah, BYU, Arizona, Cal, Oregon Hawai'i, and San Jose State," Gregorchuk said. "It is non-stop. San Jose is showing a lot of interest and they could be offering soon.
"Most of the west coast schools are recruiting Ina."
Liaina had to toil in the shadow of Oregon bound athlete prospect Malachi Lewis. The upside to that was he was seen by many D-I schools.
"D-I schools couldn't help but see Ina when he was lead blocking for Malachi," Gregorchuk said in an earlier interview with Rivals.com. "He played both ways for us as linebacker and H-back.
"Ina has great hands out of the backfield and runs with power," Gregorchuk said. "He needs to work on his blocking technique. Don't get me wrong, he's a good blocker but he can get better.
"On defense he needs to get some refinement as a linebacker, but he has the tools to be a good one," Gregorchuk said. "He's only played one year as a linebacker we think he's going to be very good as a senior.
"Ina is still somewhat raw, but he has the talent to be a D-I player," Gregorchuk said. "He is very explosive and physical.
"Ina can lay the hat on both sides of the ball," Gregorchuk said. "He loves to hit and make contact. He would rather run somebody over and even looks for it instead of making a move that would make a tackler miss.
Liaina earned first-team all-league and second team all-county honors from his linebacker position as a junior after racking up 86 tackles and two sacks.
From his H-back position he had 457 yards rushing and two touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per carry. As a receiver Liaina had 18 receptions for 337 yards and four receiving touchdowns while averaging 18.7 yards per catch.