Mana Tuioti Embraces his Role in the Bronco Brotherhood
Boise State Linebacker Prepares to Face Family at Autzen Stadium on Saturday
All in the Family
Boise State sophomore lineman Mana Tuioti heads to Eugene for Saturday's opener knowing a great deal about the personnel on the Ducks sideline. His dad, Tony, is the Ducks defensive line coach, brother Teitum, selected as a Walter Camp Preseason All-America first team, plays linebacker, and another brother Teivis, who played for San Diego State last year, serves on the Ducks staff.
His mom will be cheering from the stands wearing a split jersey, one-half Blue and Orange and one-half Green and Yellow.
Built Different
Mana Tuioti has never been afraid to do whatever is asked of him on a football field. His versatility, toughness, and relentless work ethic have made him a key developmental piece in the Broncos defensive game plan.
At Sheldon High School in Eugene, Tuioti lined up at linebacker, running back and returned kicks. As a freshman at Boise State, he quickly established himself as a trusted special teams contributor. He was the only freshman in Boise State's FBS history with multiple fumble recoveries in the same season and one of eight freshmen across the country to recover two fumbles on the year. Now, entering his sophomore season, the multi-purpose linebacker has expanded his role and emerged as a player the Broncos can move around the field.
For Boise State assistant head coach, special teams and linebackers coach Stacy Collins, that versatility is only part of what makes Tuioti special.
“He can do a lot of things on the football field,” Collins said. “We saw that in high school. He was playing linebacker, running back, and returning kicks.”
But it was what Collins viewed beyond the statistics and positions that convinced him Tuioti was a perfect fit for Boise State.
“Watching his body language, his demeanor, how he interacted with his teammates and coaches, the type of competitor he was, just a very good football player, an OKG (our kind of guy),” Collins said. “He’s blue-collar with a chip on his shoulder, his work ethic, attention to detail, and his consistency are all things that fit Boise State.”
Those qualities have continued to define Tuioti since arriving in the Treasure Valley.
He is a player who embraces work, pays attention to the details and approaches every opportunity with the same mentality, whether he is playing a critical special teams role or preparing for snaps on defense.
He’s just a tremendous young man. It is what anyone would expect from a coaches’ kid. He’s going to do everything right on and off the field.Stacy Collins, Boise State assistant head coach, special teams and linebackers
Family and Football
Growing up in a football family has given him an appreciation for preparation, adaptability and the importance of doing his job within a larger team.
“I think growing up around football is an advantage and provides a different lens,” said Collins. “(Coaches' kids) learn how to adapt and overcome through a lot of different situations.”
Tuioti has certainly had plenty of practice adapting.
Mana is the fifth of seven children.
His father played defensive line at Hawai‘i before entering coaching. His mother Keala competed in volleyball at Hawai‘i and UNLV.
His father's coaching career has taken the family from Hawaii to Nevada, Ohio, Michigan, California, Nebraska and Oregon. Along the way, Mana learned how to walk into a new locker room, a new school, community, and find his place.
Those experiences helped shape the player now emerging at Boise State.
Tuioti will continue to play a significant role on special teams, but his ability to play multiple linebacker positions gives Boise State options on defense.
“He gives us flexibility,” Collins said. “He can play both our Mike and Will positions, which will allow him to get on the field more frequently, and he does a great job of playing both those positions.”
It is a natural progression for a player whose game has always been by a willingness to contribute wherever he is needed.
And while his work between the lines has quickly earned the respect of his coaches and teammates, Tuioti brings another quality that is difficult to measure but impossible to miss, his personality.
Cause You've Got…Personality
Growing up his mom referred to him as “the happy boy,” a fitting description for someone known for always smiling and bringing energy to those around him. Collins may see a quieter player during meetings, but he has heard plenty about the personality Tuioti brings to the locker room.
“He is a pretty quiet guy in meetings, but he has a great personality off the field,” said Collins. “The players say he’s absolutely hilarious. We use him with recruits all the time because he is a great recruiter. He can mesh with anybody. He's got the IT factor.”
That personality, combined with his competitive edge, has helped Tuioti find a home within the Bronco Brotherhood.
When he chose Boise State, he was drawn to a winning culture and the strong Polynesian presence within the program. Players who came before him, including David Moa, helped show him what was possible on The Blue.
What he has found since arriving is more than a football program.
He has found teammates who have become brothers, coaches who challenge him to become better, and a culture that aligns with the way he approaches the game.
Ready for Kickoff
That makes Saturday's season opener at Oregon particularly meaningful.
Tuioti will return to Eugene, the place his family has called home for the past five years, and to Autzen Stadium, just a few miles from where he developed into the player Boise State first noticed at Sheldon High School.
For Mana, however, Saturday is not about which side of the family wins. It is about doing what he has always done and giving everything he has to the team beside him.
Regardless of the outcome, the Tuioti family will have plenty to celebrate.
But when the ball is kicked off, Mana Tuioti will be focused on one thing, being exactly the kind of player Boise State believes he can be.