Wyoming linebacker Shae Suiaunoa has become a true defensive leader for the Cowboys. Against Air Force, Shae had a career-high 13 tackles, and the best is still yet to come. At 6'3" and 231 pounds, the Clear Lake High School product is more than just a “run of the mill” football player.
Early Football Roots in Houston
Born in Los Angeles, CA, and raised in Houston, TX, Suiaunoa's love for football started early. "I played flag football from about six to eight," Suiaunoa said. "When I moved to Houston, I started playing tackle football at around ten years old. I've been around the pigskin for a long time."
While he started out as a quarterback, Suiaunoa’s path shifted during high school recruiting, leading him to Wyoming as a linebacker. "My recruiting class in high school was up and down with coaches and offers dropping. By January 2019, I thought I’d just go play quarterback at a JUCO. Then Coach Mike Grant came to my school, invited me for an official visit in February, and Coach Bohl offered me a full-ride scholarship. I knew I was a good athlete and wanted to play football, so I took it."
Challenges of the Position Transition
The transition from quarterback to linebacker wasn’t without challenges. “We always joke about how bad I was," he laughed. "It was different, but I accepted whatever came my way. I had great players ahead of me to learn from."
The journey hasn’t been easy, yet each game presents an improvement and adaptation. Head coach Jay Sawel praised Shae during his Monday press conference this week. "He's one that I had a couple of talks with," Sawvel said. "There were some things that he could be doing better, some plays that he was leaving out on the field." However, Suianoa stepped up in a big way, as Sawvel emphasized: "I thought Air Force was clearly his best game... the side to side and sideline to sideline that he played with in that game is something that we can’t ever hit the whole thing." Sawvel added that Suianoa "was in tune" and that his overall performance was his best of the year. "This is a guy with a really high level of ability," Sawvel continued. "He's loose, he can run... very good blitzer." Sawvel believes that Suianoa has more to offer, saying, "You've been given a lot. Let's make sure you're utilizing it," but coach was pleased to see him rise to the challenge against Air Force.
Learning From Wyoming Legends
Suiaunoa had the privilege of playing alongside NFL-caliber talents like Logan Wilson and Chad Muma, and Easton Gibbs, something he credits for his own development. "Logan and Chad had this consistency on and off the field. I saw what it took for them to be great, so I followed their lead," Suiaunoa shared. "Having those guys in front of me was amazing. They taught me to play with confidence, which was key for me transitioning from offense to defense." Shae also said that Easton Gibbs had a profound impact on his development as a skill player.
Athleticism Runs in the Suiaunoa Family
Football and athletics are a way of life in the Suanoa family. His father Tui played linebacker at El Camino College, and his cousin Brennan Bernardino is a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. “My cousin, Brennan also gives me advice on how to handle the pressure of higher-level sports." "My dad’s been around the game a lot; he loves it. He even coaches in the Polynesian Bowl and other leagues," Suiaunoa said. "We have a lot of football talks, and while he's tough on me, I appreciate his insights." Shae deeply respects his dad's advice and coaching insights, which help him become a better player on the field.
Offseason Focus and Leadership Growth
During the offseason, Suiaunoa focused on increasing his football IQ and refining his tackling. "I wanted to build my IQ higher, being able to pick up on little tendencies and react faster," he explained. "I also focused on connecting with my teammates, bringing them together, and leading by example. As the middle linebacker, I’m like the quarterback of the defense, so it’s important for me to be vocal when needed and lead with energy." Shae has become more vocal as a leader as the season has progressed because things haven’t gone as planned this year.
Support From His Mother
At nearly every game, you will see his mother, Dawn, in the stands cheering on her son while decked out in a #43 jersey. "My mom is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he says. "She went to all my camps, put money into all the accessories I had on the field, and did everything she could to help me succeed." He said his mom gives him lots of support regardless of the result. "Even when I don’t have my best game, she’s always there to say ‘great job,’ but also makes sure I know where I need to improve."
Looking Ahead to San Diego State
Coming off a career-high 13 tackles at home against Air Force, Shae hopes to exceed that personal record and continue leading the defense to even more victories this season. That all starts on Saturday when Wyoming hosts the San Diego State Aztecs at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:30 PM.
Comments