Cal Football: Bears pick up defensive tackle commit

January 13, 12:41 PMCal Bears ExaminerRob Calonge

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Kaufusi picks Cal

Keni Kaufusi originally planned on being part of Utah's perfect 13-0 team this season.  Last year, thinking he probably wasn't eligible for Div I football, he took extra makeup classes , made his grades, and signed a letter of intent to join the Utes' 2008 incoming class.

Then he did a stupid thing.  While out with friends, he was arrested for misdemeanor alcohol and weapons charges in June.  Utah rescinded his scholarship soon after.  He entered a plea in abeyance to four misdemeanor charges and, if he stays out of trouble for 12 months, they will all be dismissed, but the damage had already been done.

In an interview last January, Kaufusi's proctor father, Steve Martinez pointed out that while living with them, he's always been very good in school and off campus.  He pointed to the trouble that Kaufusi had when he would go to live with his Polynesian family.

Kaufusi excelled in school and was rarely in trouble while living with the Martinez family from fourth through eighth grade.  He returned to live with his Polynesian family for ninth grade and ended up in and out of juvenile detention and living in an Ogden, Utah group home for at-risk youth between his ninth and 11th grades.  He returned to live with the Martinez family for his senior year and began to turn it around.

Some jokingly teased Keni and referred to him as an Oreo; brown on the outside, white on the inside. I call it Poly-kryptonite.  Some of these Polynesian athletes are fast, quick, strong and they simply forget or don’t want to go to class. The sad thing is the kids joke about it among themselves.
- Steve Martinez on Kaufusi's checkered past

So instead of playing on the Utes perfect team, he was instead taking classes, obeying the law, and helping his high school team, Cottonwood Colts, on defense in the fall.  He's now a couple of tests away from earning his high school diploma and ready to put his past behind him.

I just called the defensive coach this morning.  He was very excited.
- Kaufusi to the Desert News about his commit to Cal

You may find 'Cottonwood' familiar.  If you've been keeping up with Cal's 2009 class, you should.  It's the same high school from which the Bears recruited running back, Isi Sofele.  Sofele won't be the only familiar face out in California for the 6'2" 280 lbs defensive tackle who also runs an impressive 4.8 forty.  His younger brother, a highly touted offensive lineman, John Martinez will be attending Pac-10 rival USC starting next fall.  Martinez is rated as the top offensive guard for the 2009 class.

[On his brother attending USC] - That is just going to make it more fun...[On if there will be plenty of trash talk before playing USC] - Big Time!...I actually haven't told my little brother yet.

Kaufusi came out to Cal in December and was impressed with his experience.  He also visited Arkansas last weekend and even though he was impressed with the SEC school, he made his decision that the Bears were the right fit for him.  Cal's location along with their academic prestige played a part in his decision making.

I went to Cal in December and I just really liked all of it.  Their facilities, their alumni connections, a lot of stuff beyond football. And I'm more into the big city thing...I enjoyed Arkansas very much.  It was really intense. Their fans are really into it. They're way fanatic.  I decided I wanted to go to Cal.  I decided (Sunday) and then I slept on it.
- Kaufusi on his commit

He may not know it now, but Bears Backers can be pretty fanatic also.  With the overall success of Cal Athletics, he may see an increase in the fanaticism within the program by the time he graduates.

Along with Arkansas, Kaufusi also considered Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma State, and Washington.

He's ready to start his career with Cal and is very aware of the opportunity in front of him.  With all of the setbacks that he's had over the last year, his plan is to come in and work hard to capitalize on his good fortune.

Here's more on Kaufusi:

Keni Kaufusi | DT
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Cottonwood High School
Ht: 6'2" Wt: 280

POS	PLAYER	SCOUT RATING	SCOUT POS RANK	RIVALS RATING	RIVALS POS RANK	ESPN RATING	ESPN POS RANK
DT	Keni Kaufusi	3	PG	2	NR	79	NR

Scouting Kaufusi, here is what some scouts say about him:

Kaufusi can be a menace as a defender. He is truly a handful when lined up over the center. On film he displays good size, but may be a little shorter then he is listed. He could also play as a shade or a "three" technique. He is explosive off the ball. Does a good job of firing off the ball, generating power from his lower body, and shooting his hands. It is not unusual to see him get under the blockers pads, stand him up, and drive him straight back. He has good quickness to swim or dart by a blocker to get penetration. He is very active with his weapons and can be tough to keep blocked. He has a good motor and is very disruptive between the tackles.
- ESPN / Scouts INC

Here's what his offensive coordinator from high school has said about him:

Keni is one of the best I’ve ever seen play at defensive tackle. I promised him earlier this year if he would take his classes seriously, I would do everything I could to help get him a Division I scholarship offer. He got through all the hurdles a couple of weeks ago. He’s been just terrific. He’s really bright; he was just missing time [in school].
- Cottonwood offensive coordinator, Scott Cate last January

While there may be some bias from Steve Martinez, he had this to say about Kaufusi:

As big and strong as John (Martinez) is, Keni always had more athletic talent. He’s got the fastest first two steps you’ll see. Because of his academics before, he was off the radar completely for DI schools.
- Steve Martinez on Kaufusi's talents

This is what Keni has to say about himself:

I am told that my strengths are my explosion off the ball, my strength and the way I like to mix it up.  I am still working hard on other aspects of my game, such as my technique and my hands.
- Kaufusi on his game

A couple of Bears get some recognition for bowl performances:

ESPN announced a 2008 All-Bowl Team and strangely, they left Jahvid Best off the squad.  Gartrell Johnson of Colorado State and Donald Brown of Connecticut both were chosen as the running backs on the team.  Johnson gained 375 total yards on offense against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl, setting an FBS record.  Brown rushed for 261 yards in the International Bowl against Buffalo.  Both men are deserving of the award, but judging the competition they played, Best was probably up there in the consideration.

Thanks to the performance by Best, Alex Mack did make the team as the offensive center.  This is just another in a long line of awards for the Draddy Trophy winner.  This is some of what they said about him:

...He already has graduated magna cum laude with a degree in legal studies.  Mack raised the bar in the Bears' 24-17 victory over Miami in the Emerald Bowl, helping pave the way for 217 rushing yards.  Many of Best's 186 rushing yards started with Mack at the center of attack.

One other Bear made the team, this time on the defensive side of the ball.  Can you guess who?  You probably thought of Zack Follett, and if you did you were right.  Here's some of what they said about him:

...Follett turned in one of the most memorable plays in his school's bowl history.  With Miami seemingly driving for a tying touchdown, Follett chased Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris from behind and stripped the football...Follett finished with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two sacks.