Indiana University Athletics
Freshman Sio Nofoagatoto’a is a Big Part of IU’s Defensive Plans
6/17/2019 3:46:00 PM | Football
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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sio Nofoagatoto'a (Nofo-onga-tuh-toe-ah) gets it. He does. Size matters in college football, and, at 6-4 and 302 pounds, Indiana's freshman defensive tackle has plenty of that.
But it's strength, explosiveness, technique and mental toughness that separate the difference makers from those who want to be, and that takes work.
Nofoagatoto'a's getting more of that than ever before these days under the direction of David Ballou (director of athletic performance) and Dr. Matt Rhea (athletic performance coach).
Could that lead to instant impact this season?
Stay tuned.
"The workouts have been one of the hardest adjustments," Nofoagatoto'a says. "Coach Ballou and Dr. Rhea and the entire staff have been pretty serious. Not many strength staffs can compete with them. Each week we're building up to it. It's been good."
As you might expect, Nofoagatoto'a is building to "Get stronger and faster and improve overall."
As for getting bigger, well, consider he's fully invested in IU's state-of-the-art nutrition plan implemented by Isaac Hicks, director of sports performance nutrition.
"I didn't eat that much before I came here, probably two meals a day," Nofoagatoto'a says.
In case you missed it, he got to 300 pounds by eating just twice a day.
Let's just say, the two-a-day meal plan isn't part of the IU program.
"With Coach Ballou's workouts and how much he stresses getting the right protein, and Isaac Hicks detailing how important meals are throughout the day, I've been eating a lot more," Nofoagatoto'a says. "With the good food we have, it's been so easy to eat."
Nofoagatoto'a didn't come all the way from Florida, and before that Australia, American Samoa and New Zealand, just for football and good meals. He has sport marketing and management in mind, which means academics are also a big deal.
"It's been something to adjust to," he says. "Just like the pace of Big Ten football, and then academic wise. It's been a big adjustment."
IU has the resources to ease that adjustment with its Excellence Academy designed to fully develop and prepare student-athletes for life after college.
"The people here, the environment, the close-knit family, it's been easy," Nofoagatoto'a says. "With the senior players helping me and telling me the best way to get adjusted academically, it's been pretty easy."
Don't underestimate Nofoagatoto'a's athleticism. Growing up he played rugby and volleyball, and swam the 100-meter freestyle. During his first two high school years, he played running back.
Plus, he's versatile enough to play the guitar and the piano.
Nofoagatoto'a took the road way less traveled to reach Bloomington. He was born in New Zealand, moved to American Samoa when he was 8, then headed to Australia at age 15.
At age 17 he came to Florida to attend Clearwater Academy International for his final two high school seasons. He gained about 100 pounds and became a dominating defensive lineman.
His performance at Clearwater -- he totaled 135 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (including one for a touchdown) -- caught the attention of IU coaches, who have extensive Florida connections.
ESPN also noticed Nofoagatoto'a. It rated him as the nation's No. 70 defensive tackle.
He and another IU freshman, linebacker D.K. Bonhamme, led Clearwater Academy to an 11-0 record last season.
It all helped to earn Nofoagatoto'a scholarship offers from West Virginia, Boston College, Temple and more.
The Hoosiers eventually won out.
Nofoagatoto'a is the first Hoosier player with an American Samoa connection since offensive lineman Pita Elisara in the 1998 and '99 seasons.
Nofoagatoto'a hopes to be a key contributor for a defense that has a goal of attaining Top-25 national status. Chemistry could be a major component, and he likes what he's seen so far.
"The people here is what's stood out to me," he says. "To see such a close-knit team. They've all been so much help, all the defensive linemen, the offensive linemen. Some of the quarterbacks are telling me what I can do to get better academically, what I can do off the field and with all the football stuff."
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sio Nofoagatoto'a (Nofo-onga-tuh-toe-ah) gets it. He does. Size matters in college football, and, at 6-4 and 302 pounds, Indiana's freshman defensive tackle has plenty of that.
But it's strength, explosiveness, technique and mental toughness that separate the difference makers from those who want to be, and that takes work.
Nofoagatoto'a's getting more of that than ever before these days under the direction of David Ballou (director of athletic performance) and Dr. Matt Rhea (athletic performance coach).
Could that lead to instant impact this season?
Stay tuned.
"The workouts have been one of the hardest adjustments," Nofoagatoto'a says. "Coach Ballou and Dr. Rhea and the entire staff have been pretty serious. Not many strength staffs can compete with them. Each week we're building up to it. It's been good."
As you might expect, Nofoagatoto'a is building to "Get stronger and faster and improve overall."
As for getting bigger, well, consider he's fully invested in IU's state-of-the-art nutrition plan implemented by Isaac Hicks, director of sports performance nutrition.
"I didn't eat that much before I came here, probably two meals a day," Nofoagatoto'a says.
In case you missed it, he got to 300 pounds by eating just twice a day.
Let's just say, the two-a-day meal plan isn't part of the IU program.
"With Coach Ballou's workouts and how much he stresses getting the right protein, and Isaac Hicks detailing how important meals are throughout the day, I've been eating a lot more," Nofoagatoto'a says. "With the good food we have, it's been so easy to eat."
Nofoagatoto'a didn't come all the way from Florida, and before that Australia, American Samoa and New Zealand, just for football and good meals. He has sport marketing and management in mind, which means academics are also a big deal.
"It's been something to adjust to," he says. "Just like the pace of Big Ten football, and then academic wise. It's been a big adjustment."
IU has the resources to ease that adjustment with its Excellence Academy designed to fully develop and prepare student-athletes for life after college.
"The people here, the environment, the close-knit family, it's been easy," Nofoagatoto'a says. "With the senior players helping me and telling me the best way to get adjusted academically, it's been pretty easy."
Don't underestimate Nofoagatoto'a's athleticism. Growing up he played rugby and volleyball, and swam the 100-meter freestyle. During his first two high school years, he played running back.
Plus, he's versatile enough to play the guitar and the piano.
Nofoagatoto'a took the road way less traveled to reach Bloomington. He was born in New Zealand, moved to American Samoa when he was 8, then headed to Australia at age 15.
At age 17 he came to Florida to attend Clearwater Academy International for his final two high school seasons. He gained about 100 pounds and became a dominating defensive lineman.
His performance at Clearwater -- he totaled 135 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (including one for a touchdown) -- caught the attention of IU coaches, who have extensive Florida connections.
ESPN also noticed Nofoagatoto'a. It rated him as the nation's No. 70 defensive tackle.
He and another IU freshman, linebacker D.K. Bonhamme, led Clearwater Academy to an 11-0 record last season.
It all helped to earn Nofoagatoto'a scholarship offers from West Virginia, Boston College, Temple and more.
The Hoosiers eventually won out.
Nofoagatoto'a is the first Hoosier player with an American Samoa connection since offensive lineman Pita Elisara in the 1998 and '99 seasons.
Nofoagatoto'a hopes to be a key contributor for a defense that has a goal of attaining Top-25 national status. Chemistry could be a major component, and he likes what he's seen so far.
"The people here is what's stood out to me," he says. "To see such a close-knit team. They've all been so much help, all the defensive linemen, the offensive linemen. Some of the quarterbacks are telling me what I can do to get better academically, what I can do off the field and with all the football stuff."
Players Mentioned
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