Ta'amu ready for Washington Junior Day

The state of Washington is boasting one of its best line classes in years and the young man widely considered the best of the bunch is Rainier Beach's Alameda Ta'amu. The big man from south Seattle is hearing from schools across the country and he's getting ready to attend Washington's Junior Day on March 3rd.

"USC, Washington, Oregon and Washington State have been in contact with me the most," Ta'amu told Dawgman.com. "I just started getting letters from Notre Dame and a bunch of other schools are sending me stuff. Schools like Florida State and Oklahoma and stuff like that. It's pretty cool."

Ta'amu played last year at 330 pounds, but he and his coaches have decided he needs to lighten up a bit.

"I've been working out pretty hard and running a lot," Ta'amu said. "I'm running sprints and doing conditioning all the time. I want to get down to 315 or 310 before next season because I really think that will help me to be explosive."

Before a minor MCL injury, Ta'amu boasted an incredible 600-pound squat, but he said he's been a bit leary of doing that lift now that he's recovered.

"I love to work out, but I'm a little nervous about doing that one," Ta'amu said with a laugh. "My knee is fine, but it's just a matter of getting over it and doing it.

"My bench is up to 335, but I really want to get that one stronger too."

Ta'amu plays both ways for the Vikings and is a noted player at both guard and defensive tackle. Schools have been looking at him to play guard, but one in-state school has told him they like him on defense.

"Washington State wants me at defensive tackle," Ta'amu said. "My coaches say I should play guard in college because they think that's what I do best, but I love defense.

"USC, U-Dub and Oregon all want me on offense."

Washington's Chris Tormey is the coach heading up Ta'amu's recruiting for the Huskies and the two have spoken recently about him attending Washington's Junior Day.

"I got invited to the UCLA game and I'm pretty sure I'll be going to it," Ta'amu said. "I know a couple of guys that will go there next year (Vonzell McDowell and Emeka Iweka) so I'm going to go check it out."

He also said he plans to take in Oregon's Junior Day on April 28th and that he may hit one or two combines as well this spring.

Ta'amu doesn't have any offers yet, but that is likely to change very soon. As far as a leader, Ta'amu didn't hesitate to name one.

"USC is my dream school and if they offered I would jump on that pretty quick," Ta'amu said. "They called and wanted more film of me so we're getting ready to send that down to them.

"But I like Washington a lot and Oregon too so they are schools I'm going to look at. I'll take whatever is best for me, but I have liked USC since I was a little kid. Like I said, it's my dream school."

Ta'amu stopped playing basketball for the Vikings earlier this year because of a grade issue, but that has since been resolved.

"I let my grades slip a little bit so I stopped playing, but they're good now," Ta'amu added. "I'll throw shot this spring and then get ready for fall by conditioning and running this summer."

We'll have more from Ta'amu following his unofficial visit to Washington next weekend.

Alameda Ta'amu Scout Profile