Meet Future Oregon State Beaver Roman Sapolu

Meet Roman Sapolu, who if he stays firm in his commitment will become an Oregon State Beaver on national signing day, which is Feb. 3:

• Position: Center
• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 250
• Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
• High school: Edison
• 2009 Statistics: Not available

Beaver fans should be excited because: Talk about good football genes.

If Sapolu’s name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’re thinking of his dad, Jesse Sapolu, who played for 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and won four Super Bowls. Jesse Sapolu was a legend at Hawaii, and it sounds like Roman has inherited a thing or two from dad.

“He’s got good feet and great technique,” said Edison coach Dave White of Sapolu. “His dad has done a great job coaching him.”

White has a special interest in Sapolu’s collegiate choice because White played at Oregon State — with current OSU assistant Jay Locey — from 1976-78).

“It’s fun to finally get one up there,” White said.
Sapolu earned a handful of postseason awards, including being named his conference’s offensive lineman of the year and All-Orange-County, a team comprised of players from about 80 schools.

“I really like the offensive line coach (Mike Cavanaugh) and Coach Riley, they really create a family environment,” Sapolu said.

And while some kids might crumble under the pressure that comes with being the son of a former NFL Pro-Bowler, Sapolu welcomes it.

“It helps me get through stuff a lot,” Sapolu said. “It’s motivation to keep the bar high.

“I’m excited. I’ve been committed for a long time. I’m ready to get it going.”

Full Article