Interview: 3-Star 2022 Utah OL Tapuvae “Snoop” Amaama Setting Official Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are guys at the high school level that can naturally dominate as offensive linemen because of their size. But when the size, strength, and technique gels with a mindset – watch out. At Utah’s Skyridge High School, Tapuvae Amaama is putting together all the elements of his game at the right time.
After playing guard for the Falcons in 2020, the 6-4.5, 330-pound, talent is moving to tackle for his senior campaign. Ahead of his senior campaign, Amaama has put extra work into his game, on the field, in the weight room, and at college camps receiving additional instruction. The result for the three-star recruit is nine offers down and a trio of officials tentatively planned.
In an RNG update interview, Amaama takes us along his spring and summer journey through his workouts, camps, and expanding recruiting options.
*Click the link for the Under Armour camp video interview with Tapuvae Amaama
Interview
Snoop, I got to see you in action around mid-spring at the Under Armour All-American camp. Since then, what have you been working on with the fundamentals to your game as an offensive lineman?
I had to change my mindset after that camp. I had to become more aggressive and play with more emotion and more passion.
With your pass-pro, which areas have you keyed on with your technique?
I am trying to fix my punch. I am trying to work on being more lethal with my hands. My kick step is something else that I have been working on and getting my feet faster; I will be playing tackle this year. Playing tackle, you have to have fast feet to take on the speed rushers on the edge. I have to fix things up with that.
And what about with your run blocking?
I have been working on my hip explosion, keeping my pad level low, and being more aggressive.
What have you been doing in the weight room to add more power to your skills?
A lot of power cleans. You have to bring your hips into your blocks. For offensive linemen hips are important to move a one- and two-tech. I have been doing a lot of squats too. You can’t move people without leg power. Some linemen try to maul defenders with their arms, that won’t work in college.
What are some of your maxes in the weight room?
My clean is two plates and a quarter, 340 on bench, and my squat is 435.
After the Under Armour camp, did you compete at any other national camps?
Yes, I went to the Rivals camp in Los Angeles.
Nice. Which college camps have you been to so far this summer?
LSU, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas, and TCU for a workout. I went across the south for camps. I also camped at Ole Miss and Alabama. That Alabama camp was crazy being in that atmosphere.
Following up on that. Tell me about that Alabama camp. What made it crazy?
It was crazy because of the tempo. Even our warmups were high intensity. The players there coaching, they had that juice with them the whole time. It was a good experience.
And the LSU camp, how did that go?
It was awesome, because there were so many good guys there. I got to go against some older guys over there.
What were you able to showcase with your skills at the LSU camp in front of all the coaches?
During the drills, I showed my skills with a lot of run blocking technique and I was showing that I am aggressive. I pancaked a guy in front of the college recruiters; it was cool. During the one on ones, I did business over there.
I like how you phrased that. After all the hard work put in, and new technique learned from the various camps, which areas of your game are showing great improvement this summer?
The most gain is with my mindset. Last year, I was not playing with a lot of emotion and passion. I am bringing that out now. I am more aggressive and my confidence has gone up.
Getting into recruiting. Which schools are now showing interest?
FSU, I’ve talked to their offensive line coach, and some others I have talked to are Michigan, they are showing some love, Arizona State, Utah, and USC.
Since that Under Armour camp, your offer sheet has expanded in a hurry. How many offers do you have now?
I have nine offers.
Very cool. Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Miami, Syracuse, and BYU.
Amaama’s Offer Sheet: BYU, Colorado State, Hawaii, Miami, Morgan State, New Mexico, Syracuse, and Texas State
Do you have any visits coming up this summer or fall you may take?
Yes, I have some officials to Miami, Syracuse, and Hawaii planned.
Snoop, thanks for your time today. Wishing you continued success preparing for your senior year and with the upcoming recruiting visits.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Amaama’s family; Tapuvae Amaama