Many athletes play their sport not just for themselves, but for their family, their culture, something bigger.
You can count Utah defensive lineman Leki Fotu among them.
A former rugby player who takes great pride in his heritage and culture, Fotu recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his transition from the rugby pitch to the football field, why his culture is so important to him, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.
JM: Tell me about your transition from rugby to football. Was that a tough transition?
LF: When we first moved out here to Utah, that’s when I started playing football a little more consistently. My mom and I sat down and we had an honest conversation about my future. At the end of the day, football was the sport that I could make a real career out of. I continued to play rugby all throughout high school. I was playing both sports at the same time. Once I went back to football, I fell in love with the game. I’ve been playing it ever since.
JM: As a football player, things really started to click for you as a junior at Utah. What changed for you at that point?
LF: My first two years at Utah can really be classified as learning experiences. I spent a lot of that time learning and developing. I played defensive end in high school at a much lighter weight than I am now. At Utah, I immediately moved inside to play defensive tackle. I spent time putting on weight and learning a new position. The transition really started to pay off during that junior year. That’s when I really started to see a future for myself in football. I realized that I really had some potential.
I spent those first two years laying down the foundation to become the player that I am today. It started to happen for me during my junior year. I came back for my senior season not only to improve my draft stock, but to show NFL teams that I can play football at the highest level.
JM: What can you tell me about your background? I know that you’re very proud of your culture.
LF: Both of my parents are from the island of Tonga. I was born and raised in Oakland. I take so much pride in my culture. It’s who I am. It’s how my parents raised me. It plays a big part in my daily life and overall routine. It plays a big role on the field as well. When I’m out there, I feel like I’m playing for my entire family, our culture and everybody back home on the island of Tonga. I know that I have all of their support. When I put that jersey on, it’s bigger than me. I’m playing for the name on the front of my jersey, as well as the family name on the back.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
LF: I had a great experience at the combine. I got a chance to speak with all 32 teams, whether formally or informally. Despite what happened with my hamstring during the 40-yard dash, I was still thankful to meet all of the coaches who took time out to get to know me. It was a really good experience for me. Being around all of the other athletes at the combine was a fun time. It was nice to meet all of the other players within my position group. I spent some time talking to those guys, getting to know them a little bit. The whole process was really great. I don’t have any complaints about my personal experience.
JM: How’s your hamstring feeling now?
LF: My hammy is good. I’ve been doing a lot of treatment. I’m still working out and staying in great shape. Whenever my number gets called, I’ll be ready to go. We were supposed to have our pro day this week (March 26th). I feel like I would have been able to do everything out there. I’m just working out and staying in shape. I’ll be ready to go.
JM: Of course, the pro day was canceled due to COVID-19. Were you able to get in any private visits or workouts before the shutdown?
LF: I was able to get one in before the spread of the virus got out of hand. I had multiple visits planned for after the pro day that obviously need to be re-worked now. We’ve been moving everything to the phone lines. We’re trying our best to make it work. All we can do is make the best of this situation. We’re still speaking with different teams weekly.
JM: That meeting you were able to get in before the shutdown, who was that with?
LF: I made a visit to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a top-30 visit. I didn’t work out for them.
JM: You mentioned moving everything to the phone lines. Which teams did you have private visits scheduled with that you now have to conduct via telephone?
LF: I’ve spoken to a few teams already. Some of those meetings have already taken place via FaceTime and what not. I had a few other top-30 visits scheduled with the Seahawks, Rams, Broncos, Chargers and Cardinals. Those were some of the teams that were planning to fly me out to them after the pro day. There’s a new way that we’re doing things now. I’ll be speaking to them via telephone or FaceTime.
JM: Are you more comfortable as a pass rusher or run stopper at this point in time?
LF: This is a question that I’ve been asked by a lot of coaches. I’m currently more comfortable in the run game, but I know the type of player that I truly am, and I know what I can bring to the table as a pass rusher. My potential as a pass rusher hasn’t been fully realized as of right now. I know that I can be a great pass rusher.
Despite what my film shows, I know I can be as disruptive in the passing game as any other defensive tackle in this draft class. The way our scheme was set up at Utah and the job that they asked of me, it didn’t really exploit my potential as a pass rusher. I feel very confident in the run game, and I’m excited to continue to develop my skills as a pass rusher.
JM: Generally speaking, just because a player didn’t do something doesn’t mean that he can’t do it. For all we know, your coaches at Utah asked you to eat up space as a big body in the middle.
LF: Yes sir, that’s exactly it. That’s basically what I’ve been explaining to coaches when that gets brought up in one of my meetings. The way the game is played right now, everybody is looking for those interior pass rushers. I understand that. My experience at Utah, I feel like the way opposing offenses game-planned for me played a huge role. I was able to take on those double teams and free up my teammates behind me to make plays. I was taking up blocks and putting them in 1-on-1 situations. I would have loved to have had more 1-on-1 opportunities myself, but that’s not what the job entailed. That’s not what was asked of me. I feel like I did my job at an extremely high level.
As for what’s next, I know that if I land with the right team and the right coaching staff, we can continue to develop my skills as a pass rusher. I have a lot of untapped potential in that area. I feel like I’m gonna be a lot more disruptive than anyone else in this defensive tackle class.
JM: What kind of impact is Leki Fotu going to make at the next level?
LF: I’m excited to make a huge impact at the next level. Whichever team drafts me, their defensive line just got a whole lot bigger (laughs). I’m a big man that plays the defensive tackle position at a high level. You don’t really see a defensive tackle with my movement skills come around too often. I have a lot of confidence in my game. I’m gonna do my job and make my mark felt at the next level.
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