Siale Esera is the newest recruit to commit to play for BYU football (Class of 2023), choosing BYU over rival Utah and a dozen or so other P5 schools, including Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, and USC.
He is the 14th commit of the class and the second highest rated, just after 4-star tight end Jackson Bowers. Esera announced his commitment from Lavell Edwards Stadium Saturday before the Baylor game on an Instagram livestream, as well as on Twitter:
COMMITMENT!#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/XEziIOHdji
— Siale Tuiteelagi Esera (@EseraSiale) September 11, 2022
Esera is a 6-foot-3 250 pound edge rusher that preps at Timpview High School (Provo, Utah), where as a junior he had 43 tackles (34 solo), with 15 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two recoveries, one pass defended and 11 sacks (MaxPreps). He was selected as a Polynesian Bowl All-Star and is a two-time linebacker MVP at Rivals camps.
As a sophomore he had 33 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble, a safety, and two fumble recoveries with one of them returned for a touchdown.
Esera is rated 4-stars by 247Sports (0.8967), who rate him the no. 4 overall prospect from the state of Utah for the Class of 2023. He holds scholarship offers from Arizona, BYU, Cal, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Virginia, and Washington State. His father is the director of Executive Services at BYU.
I caught up with Esera to ask him about his recruiting.
BYU Insider: Why did you choose BYU?
Esera: In so many levels, BYU checks all the boxes of what I was looking for. Proximity, close to home by family, education, and values. Going into the Big 12 and competing at the P5 level on the highest stage of college football is what you dream of.
BYU Insider: What are some of your favorites?
Esera: I’m a big Marvel and DC fan so really any fantasy movie. I love to read anything that has to do with fantasy, and I also love to read manga and Manhua. I love old school R&B.
BYU Insider: What is one of your greatest accomplishments in sports?
Esera: I’ve been blessed to meet a lot great people and make some really good friends through competition throughout my life. Those are the coolest, but definitely winning MVP several times at Rivals, ESPN, and the 5-star Rivals challenge in Atlanta. Competing against the best was an incredible experience.
BYU Insider: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Esera: My Dad always tells me to never forget your roots and what got you here. Staying grounded and humble! Keep your head down and work hard for things and everything will always work out!
BYU Insider: Who is a current player that you seek to emulate on the field?
Esera: I’m a linebacker and since I’m headed to BYU I can be honest in saying I’ve always loved Fred Warner, Kyle Van Noy, and my cousin Keenan Pili! They are all a different breed of animal that love to hunt and get physical with their style of play—and I’m all about that!!
BYU Insider: Is there anything else you’d like Cougarfans to know about you?
Esera: We’re living in a great time right now with BYU football being led by a great Head Coach! Our best days are In front of us. I’m excited, blessed and looking forward to being a part of a proud tradition and helping to contribute to it!!! Go Cougs!!
