Manutai makes late commitment to Baylor

The Baylor Bears football program has a late addition to the class of 2025 as they received a commitment on Tuesday from Saddleback College defensive lineman Aleki Manutai. 

Manutai was preparing to play his sophomore season at Saddleback as fall camp for the JUCO ranks out west opened on Monday.  The sophomore from Santa Margarita Catholic High School has new plans as the Big 12 has come calling late in the recruiting process.

"Coach Inoke from Baylor football called me last night and offered me a spot over there and I ended up taking it," Manutai said. 

Manutai was on the JCGridiron.com Preseason Defensive Tackle Watch List last month and was all set to be on one of the JCGridiron Preseason All-America Teams ready to hit the airwaves this week. 

"I feel great about it," Manutai said.  "It's all happening so fast."

Manutai is 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds.  He will arrive in Waco with three years remaining eligibility. 

Manutai is the 32^nd commitment from the 2024 squad to a four-year institution.  He finished with 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks in eight games last season.

Manutai Comments Below

2024 Team Commitments (in alphabetical order):