GBMWolverine: Michigan Football Recruiting — Sione Houma (FB) — 2012 Verbal Commit — Profile
Posted at 6:00am — 7/26/2011
GBMWolverine: Michigan Football Recruiting — Sione Houma (FB) — 2012 Verbal Commit — Profile
GBMWolverine readers: Here is a brief overview of recent verbal commitment Sione Houma from Highland High School — Salt Lake City, Utah.
Height: 6’0
Weight: 211
Number: 35
Current Position: Running Back
Future Position: Full-Back
City/State: Salt Lake City, Utah
High School: Highland
Head Coach: Brody Benson
Recruiter: Coach Dan Ferrigno
Committed: 7/25/2011
Top 3 other Offers: Utah, Utah State, Washington
Rankings: 24/7: 3-star … ESPN: 2-star … Rivals: 3-star … Scout: 3-star.
40-Time: 4.53
Class: 2012 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Verbal Commit).
First off, here is some information about the young man.
Sione is used very similarly in his offense to a fullback in an option offense.
He plays for one of the top programs in Utah. He rushed for about 1200 yards and 9 touchdowns his junior year.
In the three games of the playoffs he really turned on the yardage.
He is, like so many in this class, an excellent student and was honored as the Junior Scholar Athlete by the Desert News.
The West Coast Offense thrives on balance and having a fullback that is versatile is a big plus.
Sione has a nice burst and has recorded speeds in the high 4.5 range.
He still has room to grow and should not become the lumbering 265-pound fullback meant for only toe-to-toe action.
He has, on occasion, demonstrated a decent ability to swing out of the backfield and catch the ball.
Plus it makes sense that he has the ability and mentality to block and take the punishment, otherwise it would seem odd that this staff would make him one of only two serious fullback recruits.
Overview:
Sione is a high school running back that will almost certainly be moved to fullback at Michigan.
Michigan currently has a senior fullback (John McColgin) and so the opportunity awaits either Sione or others that rise through the ranks next year.
Fullbacks are rarely rated above three star and Sione is essentially unranked or a two-star (which means he hasn’t been evaluated, but want to give some stars out).
Regardless, Michigan needs a hard-nose, versatile fullback for the future and the coaches hope they got their man.
There is plenty to consider in viewing his commitment as a positive for Michigan.
This is another “need” position that is filled by the Michigan coaching staff for their offense.
Strengths:
Sione runs very hard and with excellent pad level.
He hits the holes quickly and shows good acceleration and keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.
Sione’s stature, determination, and strength allow him to do a nice job of keeping tacklers off his legs.
Film shows quick feet and enough speed to bounce outside. In short, he has some skills many pure fullback recruits do not have.
Needs work:
Even though Sione is good size for a back, yes indeed he will need to add some weight and get stronger to take on the role of successful Big Ten fullback.
He will also need to improve his route running and overall receiving skills.
The fullback in a West Coast Offense must swing and catch the ball full speed consistently.
His blocking will need to improve, especially now that he will be called upon to block big and strong college linebackers.
Final Thoughts:
We welcome Sione Houma to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?
GBMWolverine believes he will likely red-shirt his first year, but there may be few options at fullback to force him to play early.
Sione Houma reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Former Michigan Football Player — B.J. Askew — who played Running Back.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!