All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Build your feed

Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

No results found.
Colorado football commit Oakie Salave’a out to prove that there’s plenty of talent on ‘the rock’
Oakie Salave’a is the top-rated prospect from American Samoa and headed to Colorado to help put his talented island on the map. (Courtesy: Oakie Salave’a)

Colorado football commit Oakie Salave’a out to prove that there’s plenty of talent on ‘the rock’

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (BVM) – Oakie Salave’a isn’t used to artificial turf football fields or state-of-the-art facilities. In fact, the only field he knows is the “one field that everyone uses for games the whole season.” 

It’s a mixture of grass, sand and gravel. But it’s something Salave’a and other American Samoa football players have made work.

“Because I grew up here it’s normal to me,” Salave’a said. “At the end of the day it’s not what you have, but what you do with what you have. Every athlete here makes it work and it makes opportunities like going to Colorado even sweeter; I’m grateful for everything.”

Salave’a will soon experience the perks of being a Power 5 football player after he committed to the University of Colorado last week.

The three-star athlete and No. 1-ranked prospect from American Samoa originally committed to San Diego State in June but decommitted from the Aztecs last month.

“I felt it was too early,” Salave’a said of his decommitment from SDSU. “I wanted to explore more options before finally signing.”

Salave’a would have plenty of potential suitors after leading Tafuna to two consecutive championships and being named the back-to-back ASHSAA Most Valuable Player in 2020 and 2021.

“I enjoyed every second; we haven’t lost in two years,” Salave’a said of his impressive high school career. “I love to win and will do whatever it takes to accomplish that. I plan on bringing that same mentality to Boulder.”

Colorado, Hawaii and San Diego State offered the versatile quarterback while Arizona, Northwestern and Utah expressed interest. But it was a family connection that brought Salave’a to Boulder.

He is the son of former Colorado defensive tackle Okland Salave’a, who starred for the Buffs from 1988-89.

“He shares many stories of his time,” Oakie said of his father. “I’m blessed to have an opportunity to attend such a historic university. It makes it even more special that my dad played and graduated from there as well. It’s special; he’s very successful now and I want to continue following in his footsteps.”

Karl Dorrell just wrapped up his second season as Colorado’s head coach and, despite an 8-10 combined record during his tenure, has made an impact on Oakie.

“Head coach Karl Dorrell is trying to rebuild something and I want to be a part of that process,” Oakie said. “With a lot of prayer and trust in God, I believe this is where I’m supposed to be during this time.”

Oakie may very well feel blessed to land at Colorado, but the Buffs should feel lucky to have earned the services of such a dynamic athlete.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback did most of his damage at Tafuna behind center and plans to be utilized there in Boulder, however, it’s in the cards for Oakie to be a factor on defense at safety. Either is perfectly fine with Oakie.

“I plan to play whatever the team needs me to play in order for us to have a winning season,” Oakie said. “If that’s QB, then I’ll be the best I can be. If that’s on defense, I’m excited for that as well. I’m relentless and I will play whatever, do whatever.

“I want to be on the field early; I don’t want to waste any time. I trust the coaches which is why I chose Colorado and I trust they’ll put me in position to be successful.”

Oakie’s versatility and willingness to play multiple positions is something that has Dorrell excited about his import from the island.

“He’s an exciting young man,” Dorrell said of Oakie during Colorado’s national signing day press conference. “He’s just one of those guys that you can tell that he plays. He plays the quarterback position well. You put him at safety, he intercepts and makes things happen. If you put him to block a punt, he’ll block a punt. He is a multi-faceted kid.

“He likes playing quarterback so we’ll give him a shot there, but he also says ‘Coach, if I can help the team in any way, I want to do it.’ So those are the types of kids you want in your program, that want to get on the field, make an impact and he’s definitely one of those.”

Winning games and championships are on the to-do list for Oakie when he arrives in Boulder. But perhaps more important than that is representing where he came from. Oakie knows how lucky he is to be in this position coming from American Samoa, and he wants to do his part to ensure that more athletes from Motu o Fiafiaga (the island of paradise and happiness) get their opportunity.

“I want to prove that there is a lot of talent here on the rock (American Samoa) and that we can play at a very high level with other kids around the nation,” Oakie said. “I am one of many kids here that are talented and hardworking. I got lucky to be given this opportunity.

“I want to succeed early for my brothers who didn’t get the same opportunity. Hopefully my journey will open the door for others to get the same opportunities as well.”