The Final Choice: Kaveinga Chooses USC

Uona Kaveinga ended the recruiting process this evening. After initially committing to UCLA in March of 2007, he switched teams and committed to BYU in January of 2008. Tonight, the Scout.com 4-star linebacker made a final choice. He's going to USC. Kaveinga's choice solidifies the USC recruiting class of 2008.

Final Choice: Kaveinga Chooses USC

Torn Between a Hometown and His Religion

Uona Kaveinga was torn between his Latter-Day Saints (LDS) tradition/parents’ wishes and his hometown university. This young man is full of passion and desire. Early in his senior season, he made up his mind to commit to UCLA. After experiencing a moving recruitment trip to UCLA in March 2007, his passion enticed him to commit his allegiance to UCLA.

In January of 2008, Kaveinga was invited to the Under Armour All-American game in Orlando, Florida. After an impressive week of practice, his stock increased, and so did his desire to open up his recruiting again. Returning from the Under Armour Game, Kavinga related, “I opened up the recruitment, all three schools are equal right now (UCLA, USC and BYU).”

Shortly thereafter, Kaveinga visited Brigham Young University, the favorite of both his parents. He was enthralled with the experience and taken by the idea of being able to attend a university that reinforced his LDS values. He consequently changed his commitment to BYU.

Not fazed by this turn of events, UCLA, USC and BYU continued to recruit him. His parents' desire was that Kaveinga attend BYU, but they also understood that he was 18 years old and able to make his own decision.

Tonight on the Fox Sports High School Spotlight Kaveinga made his choice, he will be playing his college football at the University of Southern California.

Scouting Report

2008 Scout.com HS Football Rankings
Pos: WLB Pos Rank: #9 Pos Rating: 4-star

Scout.com Player Evaluation:

Kaveinga is an inside guy that gets to the football. He's a vicious and big time hitter that shows no mercy. He is terrific when the play comes his way because he can shed and make the tackle. When it pursuit, Kaveinga goes head hunting. Not only can he move sideline to sideline but when he gets there he looks to take someone’s head off. Kaveinga is strong, aggressive and relentless. He plays well in coverage and shows good vision.

The Numbers on Kaveinga:

In his senior campaign, Kaveinga had a big year. He racked up 147 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and had eight quarterback sacks.

As a junior, he was named Bay League Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and earned second-team all-state underclass in 2006. Was an all-CIF selection and finished the year with 111 tackles, 16 quarterback hurries, nine sacks, five deflections, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

Uona Kaveinga Profile

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