Arizona State’s success on the field in 2024 has already paid dividends on the recruiting trail, and much of that momentum has been grounded in a strong cultural foundation—particularly along the offensive line, where Polynesian heritage plays a central role.
The culture, rooted in family, unity, and pride, spans native communities from Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand, and many other Pacific islands. For ASU offensive line coach Saga Tuitele—who spent much of his youth in American Samoa—that culture is deeply personal and serves as the cornerstone of what the Sun Devils have dubbed their “Poly Pipeline.”
That pipeline continued to flow this week with two key additions: Marques Uini, ranked No. 57 among 2026 interior offensive linemen, committed on Monday, followed by Niniva Nicholson, ranked No. 87, on Tuesday. Both prospects are expected to thrive in a system that embraces their cultural roots and emphasizes the brotherhood that defines Polynesian football tradition.
The recent commitments pushed Arizona State’s 2026 recruiting class up to No. 16 in the nation and cemented the Sun Devils as the No. 2 class in the Big 12—trailing only Kansas.
“Because we share the same cultural background, it’s easy for us to connect and build a relationship,” Marques Uini said on Monday, referencing his shared Samoan heritage with ASU offensive line coach Saga Tuitele.
From a football standpoint, Uini pointed to Arizona State’s well-rounded offensive scheme—which gives him opportunities to excel in both run blocking and pass protection—as a major factor in his decision.
ASU’s Polynesian influence runs deep. Of the 10 offensive linemen the program has landed in the 2025 and 2026 classes, eight have Polynesian roots.
“Coach Tuitele is my guy,” 2025 offensive tackle signee Alema Iosua told Arizona Sports after attending ASU’s season-opening win over Wyoming last fall. “He recruited me the hardest and genuinely wants me there. He treats the offensive line like a family, not just a position group.”
He also shared that Coach Tuitele expressed a strong commitment to Arizona State, emphasizing that it’s where he wants to plant roots and has no intention of leaving anytime soon.
“Being somewhere that already feels like home, and then surrounding yourself with people who feel like family—it just makes everything feel so natural,” Uini said.
That sense of family is something transfer offensive lineman Jimeto Obigbo also noticed heading into his first spring camp with the Sun Devils.
“On day one, I had to learn everyone’s name, where they’re from, their high school—you’re expected to know that,” Obigbo told Arizona Sports. “It naturally brings you closer, even if you’re not someone who talks a lot. You end up speaking and connecting.”
And it’s not just the offensive line benefitting from this culture. Israel Briggs, a tight end and ASU’s highest-rated 2026 commit so far, is set to play in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl, a prestigious all-star event celebrating Polynesian talent.
Leave a Reply