North Carolina State University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: John Tu'uta
10/12/2016 8:44:00 AM | Football
Q: You went to Fork Union Military Academy, how different was that experience from a normal high school?
A: I think it is the most different thing you could possibly experience. We had 25-mile hikes, backpacking trips drills, and it was an all-male military school. From what everybody tells me I missed out on the normal high school experience, but I enjoyed it and glad that was the route I took.
Q: You are seeing time at center this year after previously playing guard. How much of a transition is that for you?
A: It really is not that bad of a transition. I played center in high school, and started out at center here under the previous coaching staff then I moved over when Coach Doeren came in. I feel pretty at home at either spot.
Q: How much do you enjoy playing for Coach Ledford?
A: I'm so jealous that most of the guys on the offensive line get more then one season working with him. He is the greatest, he is my favorite offensive line coach that I've had. I wish I had him all five of my years here at NC State. I'm lucky this year to get to work with him.
Q: Do you have a favorite Carter-Finley memory?
A: I have a few actually. The first time I ran out of the tunnel was awesome. Another was my very first year here when we beat Florida State on Bryan Underwood's late TD catch, the place was just insane and a cool scene. Taking my first couple of snaps against Troy last year too.
Q: You've gone through a massive body change over the few years, what was the thought behind the transition?
A: Under the previous staff I was so heavy because they wanted big offensive linemen that would go straightforward and block. Once Coach Doeren got here we met one-on-one, and it became apparent I was too big to move to play in this up-tempo offense. That was one of the ways I could get better, by losing weight. As of today, I lost 111 pounds. I've actually gotten stronger because of it. Before I was able to bench 355 pounds, and now I've been able to hit 440 pounds.
Q: What are the origins of your last name?
A: They are Tongan, a group of islands down in the south pacific.
Q: Do you have family overseas, have you had the opportunity to visit?
A: A large majority of my father's side lives there and my father does plan on moving back as soon as I graduate. I haven't been there since I was really little. I was going to go back right before camp started because my grandmother passed away, but my grandfather was very adamant that I stay here to get my schoolwork done. I do plan on going there in December now.
Q: Your dad played professional rugby, is that something you ever tried of have wanted to do?
A: I love rugby, I like to watch it. I've played it a couple of times, nothing serious just messing around. That would be something awesome to do, but the culture here is very different and football is what I got into.
Q: You are majoring in history, what career path would you like to take?
A: It's kind of up in the air right now. I've always thought I was going to go into the military for almost my entire life. But these past couple of years our strength and conditioning coaches have made a huge impact on my life, and they are talking about me interning with them. I'm not thinking of getting into their field and helping guys like myself.
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A: I think it is the most different thing you could possibly experience. We had 25-mile hikes, backpacking trips drills, and it was an all-male military school. From what everybody tells me I missed out on the normal high school experience, but I enjoyed it and glad that was the route I took.
Q: You are seeing time at center this year after previously playing guard. How much of a transition is that for you?
A: It really is not that bad of a transition. I played center in high school, and started out at center here under the previous coaching staff then I moved over when Coach Doeren came in. I feel pretty at home at either spot.
Q: How much do you enjoy playing for Coach Ledford?
A: I'm so jealous that most of the guys on the offensive line get more then one season working with him. He is the greatest, he is my favorite offensive line coach that I've had. I wish I had him all five of my years here at NC State. I'm lucky this year to get to work with him.
Q: Do you have a favorite Carter-Finley memory?
A: I have a few actually. The first time I ran out of the tunnel was awesome. Another was my very first year here when we beat Florida State on Bryan Underwood's late TD catch, the place was just insane and a cool scene. Taking my first couple of snaps against Troy last year too.
Q: You've gone through a massive body change over the few years, what was the thought behind the transition?
A: Under the previous staff I was so heavy because they wanted big offensive linemen that would go straightforward and block. Once Coach Doeren got here we met one-on-one, and it became apparent I was too big to move to play in this up-tempo offense. That was one of the ways I could get better, by losing weight. As of today, I lost 111 pounds. I've actually gotten stronger because of it. Before I was able to bench 355 pounds, and now I've been able to hit 440 pounds.
Q: What are the origins of your last name?
A: They are Tongan, a group of islands down in the south pacific.
Q: Do you have family overseas, have you had the opportunity to visit?
A: A large majority of my father's side lives there and my father does plan on moving back as soon as I graduate. I haven't been there since I was really little. I was going to go back right before camp started because my grandmother passed away, but my grandfather was very adamant that I stay here to get my schoolwork done. I do plan on going there in December now.
Q: Your dad played professional rugby, is that something you ever tried of have wanted to do?
A: I love rugby, I like to watch it. I've played it a couple of times, nothing serious just messing around. That would be something awesome to do, but the culture here is very different and football is what I got into.
Q: You are majoring in history, what career path would you like to take?
A: It's kind of up in the air right now. I've always thought I was going to go into the military for almost my entire life. But these past couple of years our strength and conditioning coaches have made a huge impact on my life, and they are talking about me interning with them. I'm not thinking of getting into their field and helping guys like myself.
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Coach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24