2017 Utah 4-Star LB/RB Levani Damuni Set to Dominate for a New School in 2016

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

One thing is a given for Utah football during the 2016 season, no matter where Levani Damuni laces up his cleats he will dominate the game on both sides of the ball.

Damuni tore it up for Mountain Crest High School during his junior season. On offense, Damuni lined up at running back and tight end coming away with 544 yards on 62 carries with six scores and 532 yards on 41 receptions with seven touchdowns through 12 games. On defense, the Mustangs lined him up on the inside and outside at linebacker and just let him go. The result was 87 tackles, six sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, at least two forced fumbles, and one blocked punts returned for a touchdown.

Damuni is that freak athlete that makes things happen on the field. His play led to a truck load of honors including All-Utah USA Today, Region 1 Defensive MVP (Desert News), All-Valley Defensive MVP (Herald Journal), and 5A first team All-State. The offers from colleges have started to match the stellar play on the field. Damuni has 15 offers from: Boise State, Colorado, Yale, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Utah State, Oregon State, Fresno State, BYU, Washington State, Idaho, Dartmouth, Kansas, UNLV, and Utah. Expect that list to grow the longer the 6’2”, 225 pound, athlete stays on the open market.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Damuni getting a rundown of his 2015 season, his transfer from Mountain Crest to Ridgeline High School, and received a recruitment update.

Interview

Levani, you played all over the field last year and excelled doing so. Which position is your favorite?

“I play a lot of different positions but I’m getting the most looks from colleges at outside linebacker.”

Even though you are getting looks at linebacker, do you consider that to be your best position?

“Oh yeah for sure, I’m much better on defense than on offense.”

Breakdown the defense you guys used last year. It looks like you ran multiple fronts on defense seeing you inside and outside. What was the team’s primary defense?

“Last year our base was a 3-3-5. When there was a tight end tight, we needed to use a four-man front, or needed to put pressure on the quarterback I’d walk up on the edge.”

You are getting looks at outside linebacker. With your frame, size, and speed you could play the strong or weak-side. Do you have a preference?

“I don’t care which side I play. I like the weak side.”

What are some of the skills you bring to the field as a linebacker?

“I feel like I can give the offense a good pass rush. I feel like I can play off the edge really well. I can play in the middle or man-up a receiver in the slot or a running back.”

What are you working on this offseason to prepare for the upcoming season?

“I’m really working on my hips. I want to get looser and have better change of direction. I’m working on my fast twitch muscles trying to improve those. I’m doing a lot of jump rump, ladders, and that type of stuff.”

Have you maxed out in bench, squat, or any of those lifts?

“We did that three weeks ago. My bench is 250, my squat is 490, and my power clean is 270.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“Of course the No. 1 goal is a state championship. That is what most team goals are. We have a new team, we are trying to build that comradery more and come together as a team. We have lot of new kids. I’m trying to be more welcoming and get everyone on board.”

Will there be a drop in classification with Ridgeline?

“Last year we were in 5A, that is the highest in Utah. This year, with Ridgeline, we are down to 3AA.”

Have you had a chance to meet all the guys on the new team yet?

“I know a lot of them. We have some new kids coming in that will be freshman and kids coming in looking for a new opportunity. A lot of them were on the team last year. A lot of the kids started for Mountain Crest. We will not be the average new school. We’ll know what to do when the season starts. We have to learn a new scheme and stuff like that. We’ve had a lot of practices and there is always room for improvement.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 15 offers.”

Which schools that have offered you are pushing a little bit harder than the others?

“Some of the schools that are really recruiting my hard are Utah, BYU, and Utah State. A lot of people are preaching keeping in-state guys here. Schools like Virginia are recruiting me hard too.”

Which schools are recruiting you hard but have not offered yet?

“I’m talking to Stanford a lot lately. They are recruiting me hard. They may pull the trigger sometime soon and offer me. Cal too, but they do not recruit me as much as Stanford.”

Which teams have you visited unofficially so far?

“I just got back from one this weekend. I was in Oakland for the Nike Opening regional. I went to Cal and Stanford when I was there. I’ve taken other trips to Utah, BYU, and Utah State.”

How did the Cal visit go?

“It went really well. They have really nice facilities and a nice campus. My mom really enjoyed it too. When they get your mom on board – watch out.”

How about your visit with Stanford?

“It went really well. They really preach about getting a degree that will set you up for life. Four years for years. That’s really good to know if you get a degree from there you will be set for life. Coach (Lance) Anderson (linebackers coach) is a good guy and a great coach. I’m getting to know the staff. They have great facilities and a great campus. I enjoyed my visit there.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I wanted to get out to visit Virginia, but I have not a set date for that. With camps, I know I will be going back to Palo Alto (Stanford) on June 16 for a camp. I’m going to a Utah camp on June 22 as well.”

You already have a lot of offers. Have you started thinking about when you would like to commit?

“I honestly have not really thought about a timeline to commit. I’m in no rush. I just decommitted from Utah State so I’m in no rush at all to commit anywhere else. When I do, maybe it’ll be after the season.”

When you do decide to commit, what are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“I want to be somewhere that will satisfy my spiritual needs – close to a good church. I want to be somewhere with good academics so I can get a meaningful degree that will help me and my family. I just want to be somewhere where I can accomplish that.”

Have you thought about which degree you would like to pursue?

“I’m really interested in majoring in Biology or something pre-med – maybe. I’m interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Then again, maybe I’ll major in business. I’m not sure yet.”

What is your GPA?

“My cumulative is a 3.7.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT in March. I got a 22 but I’m taking it again on June 11.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My dad (Waqa Damuni) for sure. He played football at Utah State. He works for them as the director of football operations. He played college ball, he knows the process. He knows what happens. He has counseled me. He does not sugar coat anything with me. He tells me things straight up. He helps me out.”

That’s great to have someone in that position to help guide you. Levani, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: hjnews.com; No. 3 Levani Damuni breaks free for more yards.

Photo credit: hjnews.com; No. 3 Levani Damuni runs over a Viewmont defender.