Going from ‘outdated tight end’ to a bright future
Narbonne’s Tauanu’u has wowed at left tackle, but he’d still catch a pass if needed.
“Massive” is the definitive word to describe 6-foot-6, 315pound Jonah Tauanu’u of Harbor City Narbonne.
He wears size 16 shoes and fills the doorway of the weight room. He’s so big the DoubleDouble at In-N-Out Burger is too small for him.
He orders the Four by Four off the “secret menu” — four beef patties and four pieces of cheese. It takes more than one Four by Four to satisfy his appetite. Then he’s happy. He’s the starting All-City left tackle for Narbonne’s offense. A year ago, he was pummeling those who got in his way, whether trying to rush the passer or go through him to make a tackle.
Considering his agility, athleticism and tenacity, it’s not pleasant to see him in the way.
“He’s probably the most athletic lineman we’ve had,” coach Manuel Douglas said. “We had Alex Akingbulu at UCLA. He was athletic but light in the frame. This kid has been always thick and can move.”
Tauanu’u didn’t play football until he reached high school. He was too big for youth football.
He attended Garden Grove Rancho Alamitos as a freshman but rarely played on the freshman team. He does remember the moment football became fun.
“I got the running back, picked him up and threw him down,” he said. “Everybody got hyped and I was like, ‘I can do this.’ ”
He showed up at Narbonne thinking he was a tight end. Douglas saw how big he was but wanted him to figure out his future.
“I knew he was a left tackle immediately,” Douglas said. “I let him live the tight-end dream for a while.
“At some point, I had the conversation, ‘You’re kind of the outdated tight end.’ He can do a lot of things but I just knew with his size his future was left tackle.”
Asked if he has come to terms that he’s a blocker first, Tauanu’u says, “Yes, sir.”
He has received more than 40 college scholarship offers. To see him pull on a sweep and lead a Narbonne running back downfield is quite a sight.
“When you see that first person and you have a quick second to hit him before he hits you ... it’s fun,” he said with a big grin.
He’s left-handed, so it makes it difficult for someone to rush from the end and get around him.
He’s very good about figuring out angles and using his strength.
“I don’t base it on whether you’re a big or little guy because there’s little guys better than big dudes,” he said.
He turns 17 this month, so he should grow stronger and bigger. He hasn’t gotten out of his system the idea that he can be a tight end.
“I still feel I could be a tight end, but I’m a left tackle,” he said.
He’s hoping Douglas has a special play for him this season so he can show his catching or passing skills, so watch out for a trick play.