Arizona Football: Recruit Daniel Tootoo hopes to get an offer after visit
Arizona Football program visits usually happen about this time and for big games like Arizona vs. UCLA Saturday night. Daniel Tootoo was one of those.
Arizona Football beat UCLA as the underdog last Saturday night in Tucson. Some high school players took a trip to the Dirty T to visit the campus and get a good idea of the program. One of those high school players was Daniel Tootoo out of Skyline Highschool in East Mesa Arizona.
We got a chance to catch up with Daniel to find out more about his journey and where he wants to go from here.
ZZ: Tell me about your family and your support system, where you come from, school a little background?
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DT: My Family os my biggest supporters. I’ve played tackle football since I was just six years of age. My family has always been there. I couldn’t thank them enough then too hopefully get offered from the Wildcats, so my parents don’t have to pay for my college tuition. That Is A DREAM.
I am of Samoan Descent and was born on the Island of Samoa on January 26th,2001. I moved to the States when I was just two weeks old for a better life for my brothers and I and a brighter future.
I grew up in Gilbert, Arizona right down the street from Gilbert high school. Until my parents found a bigger house for my brothers and Sister and me.
I’ve been attending Skyline Highschool in East Mesa Arizona since I was just a freshman. No other person at Skyline High School I respect and take my hat off too more than Coach Paffumi. He’s taken care of me and pushed me to be where I am now since I finished my freshman season and moved up to Varsity during playoffs. Every day after that he has been a huge part of my career, and I couldn’t thank him enough. Best coach and his Staff In The State.
https://twitter.com/danieltootoo/status/919599957140582400
ZZ: Tell me how your visit went? Official? What were the highlights? What did you like about the program? The campus?
DT: My visit was Great. Davy Gnodle Makes me feel home every time I come out there, and no other school does it like UOFA Does. And My Offer hasn’t been official yet. And my highlights were just off Mid-Season that I hadn’t to the coaches and staff. And the program is unbelievable.
People always talk about ASU or USC knowing how to treat recruits. But I don’t think there is any comparison between them and UOFA. The way they carry themselves and the name they give their school is astounding. The campus is beautiful, and I hope to attend It someday!
ZZ: Can you give me some specifics? Height weight high school position and your HS year?
DT: Height-6-foot-3, Weight-225, Position-Defensive End, Class of 2019
ZZ: Okay, so tell me, is there one coach or teacher or person in your life that has said something to you that has inspired you to push harder? What was it?
DT: Definitely my parents. A motto my private league football team went by was “Play Hard, Play Strong, and No Fear.” And that’s what I take into every game I play.
ZZ: What do you like most about playing on defense? What do you like better? Sacking the QB or grabbing the running back?
DT: Defensive end. It’s main kinda job is to absolutely punish the man in front of you every play and keep outside container unless the tackle does different schemes. And both really. Hitting the RB and sacking the QB are both very big plays on this side of the ball.
Especially if it causes them to turnover or Lose yards!
ZZ: Is there any NFL or college player you pattern your Gabe after?
DT: Junior Seau. The nastiest and Most Inspirational Player to ever play the game in my eyes. The way he led the field, ran to the ball every single play and let everyone on the field who he was and what he was trying to accomplish. And that was to take your head off!
https://twitter.com/danieltootoo/status/810696566679826432
ZZ: Your Favorite play last season on your team? What are you working on this season to get ready for college?
DT: A sting call when I go inside shoulder of the tackle and hit whoever gets the ball, and I did just that. Hit the quarterback and turned over the ball.
This year, I am improving on my footwork and mentality of the game. Every play counts and I should always make the most of it every down. I am getting a lot of tackles behind the line for yardage loss, but need more sacks. Right now, I am at only at four sacks.
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ZZ: Anything you want fans to know about you? Special talents outside of Football? Family members who play or played in college? Favorite music? Food? Video game? School subject?
DT: I want my fans to know that everything I do and can do comes from the support and strength from my family and the man up above.
I dance for Tamalii Polynesian Entertainment, play the Ukulele, and love to have jam sessions singing with my cousins and Tongan friends.
To many people, in the NFL and college to even name! I look up to many of them.
My favorite music is Island Reggae, R&B, Hip Hop/Rap, and Soul!
Favorite food has to be Samoan food. Specifically Palusami (Coconut pudding wrapped in leaves).
Favorite video game is Call of duty, Mario, and Mortal Combat.
School subject has to be Science!
ZZ: Do you have a nickname?
DT: My Real Name is Daniel, But I go by Danny!
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ZZ: Anything I didn’t ask that you want to tell us?
DT: I’m just a young man looking at a school trying to fulfill his dreams, Bear Down!