As a high 4-star transfer Kingsley Suamataia (Class of 2022) became the highest rated transfer and third highest rated commit of the modern recruiting era (2000-present) to join the BYU football program, making a commitment November 5, 2021 via Twitter and then signing during the December signing period:
Blessed as the Lord is mindful of my struggles and strengths. I am truly thankful to everyone in my life, most of all my family. We are stronger together than apart. #DKT76 Time to Do King Things #AigaFaaVavau 🤟🏾LETS GO! pic.twitter.com/T9BsEMRTre
— Kingsley 👑 76 SUAMATAIA (@baby76kings) November 5, 2021
The once 5-star Oregon transfer is a 6-foot-6 317-pound offensive tackle that prepped at Orem High School (Orem, Utah), where he was a four-time state champion, an All-American second-team selection, and an All-State first-team pick (MaxPreps). He was high school teammates with Puka Nacua, Jakob Robinson, and Hunter Hill—all student-athletes that signed with other universities out of high school but have since transferred to BYU.
At Oregon in 2021 Suamataia was coming off a minor foot injury but still spent half of the season on the Oregon roster before entering the transfer portal. During that time, he played in one game at left tackle and was listed as backup for six others. With just one game of action Suamataia can count 2021 as his redshirt year.
Suamataia was initially rated 5-stars by 247Sports (0.9824), who had him as the no. 1 prospect in Utah, and no. 36 prospect nationally (no. 6 OT) in 2021. He held scholarship offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, BYU, Cal, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pitt, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, and Wisconsin.
Suamataia is now enrolled at BYU and will compete in spring practices. He will start 2022 as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility.
But what brought him to BYU?
I caught up with Suamataia to ask him about his journey back to Utah.
BYU Insider: Why did you choose BYU?
Suamataia: BYU represents my beliefs and what I’m about. And having my family close was also key to me coming to BYU.
BYU Insider: What other schools were showing you love in the recruiting process?
Suamataia:Â Schools that have always shown love to me include Alabama, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas, Texas, and Texas A&M.
BYU Insider: What are some of your favorites?
Suamataia: I love watching Marvel DC movies, and action type movies with Dwayne Johnson in them. I listen to a lot of 90’s R&B like Tevin Campbell, Bobby brown, and Boyz II Men. I love cereal with marshmallows.
BYU Insider: What are some of your accomplishments?
Suamataia: My greatest accomplishment in life I feel is being able to go with my family to the Temple and be sealed. My greatest sports accomplishment was when I was able to dunk a basketball in 8th grade.
BYU Insider: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Suamataia: Best advice I’ve received is my dad always saying “Life is about choices, and the blessings will come when you make good ones, and consequences when you don’t.”
BYU Insider: Who is a current player that you seek to emulate on the field?
Suamataia:Â Current player I like is of course my cousin Penei Sewell (offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions) because of the humility in how he moves and loves his family.
BYU Insider: Is there anything else you’d like Cougarfans to know about you?
Suamataia:Â I love the shoe game but wearing a size 17 shoe makes it hard.
When Suamataia suits up this fall he will be the highest rated transfer and second highest rated player to ever take the field for BYU.  He will be among family and friends—both on the field, and in the stands. Welcome home Kingsley!
