DL Dallas Vakalahi open to pitch from Husker staff

A new target has popped up on Nebraska's defensive board in the person of Dallas Vakalahi from Salt Lake City, Utah.

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive lineman holds scholarships from 15 college football programs, including 10 tenders from the Power Five level.

"Oh, yes sir!" Vakalahi replied when asked if he had legitimate interest in the Cornhuskers. "Especially with the love the coaches have shown and given to me. I'm interested in Nebraska's college and community.

"I have mostly been talking with Coach Tony Tuioti and our relationship is really good. He calls me when he's working out, and it's really cool to have a coach who trains really hard and hits the weight room like that."

Vakalahi received his official scholarship offer papers from the Nebraska coaching staff first thing in August, but they verbally offered him earlier this spring and have been recruiting him all along.

The first school to offer Vakalahi was BYU, which stands to reason since he is LDS and plans to take his mission immediately after he graduates high school.

He only got the chance to visit one Big 12 program this year.

"At TCU, the facilities were really nice and one of the biggest factors for me is I have family close by there," Vakalahi shared. "In the Euless-Bedford area.

"I haven't set up any official visits yet, but I'm going to start contacting coaches about it. Pretty soon I'm going to narrow it down to a top five or top six. Right now, I think TCU, Utah, Oregon State and Stanford will definitely make the cut."

Vakalahi would like to find a college that will be understanding and flexible with him taking his Mormon mission, as well as a few other key criteria.

"For my parents, it would probably be the education aspect and a place that would help me succeed," Vakalahi stated. "The things for me that would be important would probably be developing me as a player and also as a leader.

"Where I can fit in the best, has the best opportunities for me, and maybe help me make it to the NFL is where I'm going to go."

Vakalahi has been working hard over the spring and summer to prepare for his senior campaign, and he has added 20 pounds to his frame.

"I think my run-stopping game is probably my strongest aspect right now," Vakalahi said. "Just my get-off is also another one of my strongest aspects. If you can beat your opponent before they even get off the ball, that's the easy way.

"Over the summer, I have worked on a lot of handwork and my speed. I want to be more explosive with my hands because I noticed that I was using more of my power last year. If I added more technique, I would be able to make more plays."