(Martin Seras Lima photo)
 

MAKA UNUFE

Maka Unufe left the USA program at a time when it seemed like he had a bunch of other things to take care of. He had a young family, he wasn't getting playing time, he was even thinking about football.

And perhaps not thinking about rugby? Well we think he was, deeply. Remember that Unufe burst onto the scene in 2011 when he was 19 and still in high school. He had just turned 20 when he led the Pan-Am Games in tries. But that didn't mean he had it all figured out. At times Unufe showed flashes of his talent, but wasn't getting that regular playing time he needed. So he left the program, and, it seemed, got his head right.

This happens with some athletes. They need to focus on one issue at a time, and decide whether they want to commit to something. Unufe seems to have figured a few things out, and then the timing was right. Head Coach Mike Friday likes tall, rangy players. Unufe is that, with pace, and is starting to take a leadership role in the team (note who usually takes the tap when the Eagles get a penalty).

All of that tells us that Maka Unufe could well be a new Zack Test-type player. He has so many tools. He has breakaway speed, likes playing hard defense, and can win the ball in the air. It just took him a little time to get there.

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