Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 50 Days (Sio Nofoagatoto'a)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The 2020 Hoosier Huddle Countdown has reached the halfway point! We are only 50 days away from kickoff and the beginning of IU’s 2020 campaign. Today’s profile is a defensive lineman that provided quality play from day one on campus last season. While it is a deep position group, expect Sio Nofoagatoto’a to play a big role once again.

Name – Sio Nofoagatoto’a

Position – Defensive Line

Hometown – Sophomore from Ili’ili, American Samoa (Clearwater Academy International (FL))

Height – 6’4”

Weight – 315 pounds

The Indiana Hoosiers do not have a deep connection to American Samoa. In fact, defensive tackle Sio Nofoagatoto’a is the only player from the territory on the roster and the first since 1998-99. Sio had a long and winding road to Bloomington as he was born in New Zealand, moved to American Samoa in 2008 and to Australia in 2015 before spending two seasons at Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida. In two seasons at Clearwater, he posted 135 tackles with eight forced fumbles and 16.5 sacks as he paired with fellow Hoosier D.K. Bonhomme to lead the program to an 11-0 season in 2018. The big man is a terrific athlete, excelling at rugby, volleyball and even swimming (100 meter freestyle) while growing up.

Nofoagatoto’a played ten games at defensive tackle and was a physical and large presence in the middle of the defensive line. He had three tackles in the Gator Bowl loss to Tennessee and was the defensive player of the week against Northwestern. Sio has the size and quick feet you want in a power conference defensive tackle. At 315 pounds, he is the heaviest defensive lineman on the IU roster and his size is a massive benefit. IU’s defensive line is under a new position coach in Kevin Peoples and they return the key personnel from last year’s group while adding standout recruit Damarjhe Lewis and transfer Jovan Swann. In short, it is a deep and talented group. The sophomore from American Samoa is very likely behind returning starter and redshirt senior Jerome Johnson. I think he’s behind Demarcus Elliott, arguably the team’s lineman in 2019. Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess and there are plenty of snaps available as the Hoosiers will undoubtedly be rotating along the interior. Don’t take my word for it though.

“We’re comfortable with our depth,” defensive line coach Kevin peoples said in June. “We’ve got good depth at every position. We like to play a lot of guys.”

Damarjhe Lewis is only a freshman but he is going to play due to his uncommon ability to provide pressure on opposing quarterbacks up the middle. Swann is going to play snaps everywhere along the line, meaning he will play some in the middle. Sio Nofoagatoto’a fits in right behind the starter at defensive tackle (Elliott) and battling with Lewis and redshirt freshman C.J. Person. He will be a very important cog in IU’s defensive line for the 2020 season and the two campaigns after that.