Senior Jeminai Leuta-Ulu has committed to play football at UNLV. The Friars’ offensive lineman announced his commitment on Twitter saying, “GOD IS GOOD! Excited to announce that I have committed to further my football career and education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Thanks to all of those who have supported me throughout this process. GO REBELS!”
Leuta-Ulu also held offers from the University of Alabama Birmingham, South Dakota and San Jose State but ultimately chose UNLV because he felt most comfortable there not only with the football program but on campus as well. He added, “What caught my attention is how the coaches and counselors repeatedly asked about my family. It made me feel at home, as if I was still at Servite.”
A three-year varsity letterman in football, Leuta-Ulu earned 2nd Team All-Trinity League recognition following his junior season and was recently included on OC Varsity’s Hot 150 list of top players in the county expected to make an impact for their respective teams.
Coach Troy Thomas shared, “Jeminai is a very loving teammate and cares deeply about his family both at home and in our program. He is also a very good dancer.”
Leuta-Ulu’s talents extend beyond the football field as he also competes in rugby and track and field for the Friars in addition to being an accomplished Polynesian dancer.
Having played rugby for over ten years, Leuta-Ulu has won many championships with his club team Back Bay Youth Rugby but most recently they won the HS National Championship in Utah in May.
Leuta-Ulu also had a memorable junior track and field season finishing 2nd in Trinity League to advance to CIF Finals were he threw a new personal best of 146ft to place 7th.
As previous mentioned, in addition to his athletic prowess, Leuta-Ulu is also artistically inclined. He sings with Servite Select Choir and has been dancing all his life. At 12 he became the youngest showman in the business and has gone on to win many solo and all-freestyle competitions nationally and internationally.
Friar fans were lucky enough to see him showcase his talent at this year’s Football Luau in which he performed with a local group.
Leuta-Ulu is one of four Servite linemen to make college commitments before season joining Ender Aguilar (Cal), Robert Krebs (Columbia) and Nick Martinez (Kansas).
Servite would like to congratulate Jeminai on this great accomplishment and wish him the best of luck this season and as he moves on to play collegiately.
