Interview: 3-Star 2020 Nevada LB Vai Kaho Breaks Down Season and Visit to Cal
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As the game of football changes with offenses treading towards hurry-up and spread attacks, defenses are evolving to keep pace. Big hulking linebackers in the 6-foot 4-inch 250-pound range are not necessarily the need any more preferring sleek backers with speed who can stuff the run, cover a back, tight end and/or a slot, and come off the edge as a pass rusher. The evolution of the position is firming up ready to shutdown offenses thanks to talents like Vai Kaho.
Kaho might be the prototypical new aged backer. At 6-2, 200-pounds, he can seemingly do it all. In 14 games during his junior season with Bishop Manogue High School, he came up with 81 stops, 39 solo, 14 tackles for a loss, two sacks, picked off a pass, forced two fumbles and picked one up. The curve ball, he may be just as good of a running back. Kaho moved from running back to tight end to help his team securing 10 passes for 75 yards with two scores and rushed four times for 55 yards giving way to the ridiculous senior season Peyton Dixon turned in rushing for 3,143 yards and 45 touchdowns.
When college coaches scout Kaho during the spring evaluation period, they will get to see him at both positions getting to decide for themselves how the Nevada three-star ranked recruit might best help their squad win games. So far, BYU and Nevada have dropped offers with programs like Cal, Stanford, and Tennessee, among others, showing interest.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Nevada’s top prospects in the 2020 class covering his abilities on the field with a recruiting update.
Interview
Vai, you are ideally fit at outside linebacker with your athleticism and level of play. What roles do you have as an outside backer for the Miners?
“I play mostly on strong side. My coaches are looking for me to cover a lot of ground and quickly. I can play in the box and come off the edge. They allow me to move around a lot. They are looking for a play-maker out there.”
Well they found one. You do a good job of stringing out plays to the boundary, what are some of the other things you feel you do well as a defender?
“I feel I am good at rushing the QB, I like to impress with my pass rushing. I can cover, I am a strong tackler, and I am good at studying the scouting report; that slows down the game. I watch a lot of film. Our coaches make it a standard to watch a lot of film, that helps.”
Which areas of your game did you take to another level last season?
“Coming downhill quicker and wrapping up. The postseason helped me work on my technique and form.”
You also got some time in on offense last season, how do you like playing on that side of the ball?
“It was a switch. I have been playing running back my whole life. We had a great running back in Peyton Dixon. They switched me to tight end on offense. It was a great experience. It humbled me going from carrying the ball a lot to touching it a little.”
Will we see you take a bigger role on offense during your senior year?
“I will go back to running back, that is the plan. I will talk to my coach more about it. I want to play a big role on both sides to show I am a true athlete. I was quiet on offense this last year. What is most important is doing anything I can for the team to help us win.”
What are you working on this offseason?
“I am playing 7v7, that is helping me cover better. My overall game is getting quicker. I am working my hips, getting stronger, and putting some weight on.”
Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?
“Yes. I am benching 250 and squatting 390.”
Nice. Are you going to any national camps and/or combines?
“Yes. I am going to the Nike Opening in Oakland.”
Going into recruiting. I know you have the two offers. Which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Cal, I just came back from a Junior Day visit there, Stanford, Colorado, Oregon State, and Tennessee.”
How did the Cal visit go?
“It was great. I loved the city. I like the setting and the campus. It is different, the feel there is different there, in a good way. I talked to Peter Sirmon, he’s a great coach. I can tell he is about business. I just want to play ball and that is what they have there.”
Have you visited any other schools since the 2018 season began?
“Yes. I took a visit to Nevada for their game against Boise State.”
How did the Nevada visit go?
“It was good. I have a good relationship with them. They send photos as part of the recruitment.”
Do you have any other visits you may take upcoming?
“I have a planned visit to Stanford for a Junior Day. Hopefully, I will be able to take that visit.”
For the college coaches out there who may not be familiar with you, what type of student-athlete are you? Tell me a little bit about yourself in that regard.
“I come from humble beginnings. I put my head down and do what I can for the team. My main goal is to win, I want to win championships. With football, that is giving me an opportunity to get my college paid for so my parents don’t have to worry about that. I want to get a degree. My brother is the first in my family on track to get a degree. I want to be a role model to my younger siblings and earn my degree as well.”
Vai, it was great talking to you today learning more about your game. I appreciate your time.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Kaho family; Vai Kaho at Cal