A familiar face was present during the Los Angeles Chargers’ Nike 11-On event at their El Segundo Facility. Jesse Sapolu, a four-time Super Bowl champion and co-founder of the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame, graced the event. Not only did he watch the new generation of football players, but he also shared his knowledge about the game.

As he shared on his Instagram account, the former NFL center and guard worked with California high school linemen. His caption read, “They’re not just the future of football, they’re the future leaders in life.”

Jesse Sapolu is a warrior on and off the field. After attending Farrington and staying in-state (Hawaii) for college football, the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the 11^th round of the 1983 NFL Draft.

In 15 seasons with the 49ers, Sapolu won Super Bowls 19, 23, 24, and 29. He is one of the few Niners players who won with Joe Montana and Steve Young at quarterback. The Samoa-born offensive lineman also earned Pro Bowl honors in 1993 and 1994.

Upon his retirement in 1997, Jesse Sapolu started in 154 out of 182 career games. After his playing days, he became a Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame inductee and now runs Men in the Trenches (MITT). According to MITT’s official website, “Under Jesse Sapolu’s tutelage, athletes who want to learn the position of offensive line (OL) and defensive line (DL) will gain knowledge and understanding of OL & DL fundamentals. MITT Academy is designed for young aspiring linemen looking to learn the game of football from former NFL and college players and coaches.”

Meanwhile, Sapolu achieved these successes and played in the NFL despite contracting rheumatic fever at a young age. That condition developed a hole in his aortic valve, causing his heart to enlarge and grow weaker. However, he survived after undergoing two artificial cadaver valve replacement operations. Therefore, his experiences in football and life make him a perfect mentor to high school athletes.

RICHMOND, Va. – The Spokane Velocity continued their dominant run in the USL League One with a 1-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. Neco Brett scored in the 46th minute in what would be the game winning goal on an assist from Lucky Opara. 

Collins Onyejiaka
C, 6’10” (270)
ESPN 100 (94), 4-Star No. 19 C

Nate Oats has taken a shine to Northern big men of late. And, that’s fair — the Big 10 and Big East consistently produce the nation’s best front courts: Physical, skilled, bruising. When you play a team from the North, pack a lunch and some ice packs. It’s going to be tough sledding inside the lane.

Meet the next one, as the Tide hauled in 4-star Collins Onyejiaka last night out of the Massachusetts Newman School. Originally on-track for NSD ‘26, Collins will be reclassifying and entering this year, bolstering what is suddenly a very deep ‘Bama post presence.

If you’re looking for a fluid smooth offense, Onyejiaka isn’t your guy. If you want a step-out big who can shoot a respectable bit from the perimeter, look elsewhere. If you need a long athlete who can play 15-feet away from the basket, then Collins isn’t him.

If you want a massive post presence who is a punishing rebounder, finishes plays around the rim, and generally makes life hell on the blocks, then congratulations: You found your man. And that’s what Collins brings to the floor.

After years of getting pushed around in the paint, and perhaps looking ahead to the SEC’s existential threat in Gainesville, the Tide have gone shopping for the Florida Solution. In Onyejiaka ‘Bama has perhaps finally found a true specialist who can give the Tide steady interior minutes, clean up misses for easy baskets, and absolutely hammer the glass…and opposing players.

Coming in at 6’10 and a mammoth 270 pounds, he does all the things you’d expect at that size. He’s a great rebounder with tremendously strong hands. He swats balls. He’s great on the boards on both ends. But, he does have some athleticism too — Onyejiaka has a sweet hook from either hand within six feet of the rim, and he uses surprising body control to go after rebounds in traffic and finish at the hoop. That body control is especially evident in that he is able to be an adroit defender without drawing many fouls — he’s a position player with size.

Collins isn’t the sort of player that is ever going to be a star. He won’t light up the scoreboard or flirt with triple-doubles. He’s not destined for the NBA Lottery. He is a specialist, but it is a specialty Alabama has been lacking. And with his intimidating presence, thunder dunks, and the ability to make short work of penetrating defenders, you can see how he will become a fan favorite. He will almost certainly be an analytical darling despite the box scores — just as Cliff was. What he can do to make everyone better around him is the point, not mere numbers at the scorers table.

Welcome to Tuscaloosa, Collins

Roll Tide