Former Fife star Ulumoo Ale embracing new challenge on UW Huskies defense
Since his arrival on Washington’s campus, former Fife High School standout Ulumoo Ale has built a role as a regular contributor on the Huskies’ offensive line.
He has appeared in every game the past three seasons, including 10 starts at left guard. He has played more than 800 snaps during his college career, per Pro Football Focus, most of them on offense.
This season, though, he’s been presented with a fresh challenge — helping the Huskies up front on the opposite side of the ball.
Coach Kalen DeBoer and the program’s new staff arrived this winter, and ahead of spring practices approached Ale about making a move to the defensive line for his fifth year, adding more game experience to the position group.
Ale, a staple on offense and defense for Fife during his high school career, has welcomed the new task with enthusiasm.
“It really just came down to what the team needed,” Ale said following Monday morning’s third spring practice. “They told me they may need some help on the D-line with the depth, and I was all over it.
“I’m willing to help any way I can, and if that’s where they need me, that’s where I’ll play.”
Huskies co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell noted last week the program’s excitement in adding Ale to the defensive front.
“Stick him in an A gap, and we know he’s going to be able to hold it down in there,” he said. “So, we’re really excited about transitioning him to the other side of the ball.”
Ale certainly has the positional experience and presence — he is currently listed at 6-foot-6, 344 pounds — to make an impact.
His blocking ability on the offensive line was showcased during his three seasons playing for Fife, and the past three with the Huskies, but Ale was also a defensive force during his high school career.
Playing in the Trojans’ defensive interior, he racked up 74 total tackles, including eight for losses, one sack, one forced fumble and two recoveries in 22 career games, per MaxPreps.
His senior season, he was named the Class 2A South Puget Sound League Mountain MVP and was a first-team all-state selection by The News Tribune and Associated Press after pacing the Trojans to the 2A state playoffs. His junior season, he was the division’s defensive lineman of the year, as well as a first-team pick on the offensive side of the ball.
Ale was also a two-time TNT All-Area selection, and a Northwest Nuggets and Western 100 selection in 2018.
Ale’s skill set on both offense and defense impressed during his stellar high school career.
“For his size, how he moves is pretty extraordinary,” Fife coach Kent Nevin said.
Though he didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year — Ale was a three-time Australian Golden Gloves heavyweight boxing champion and played rugby growing up, and was also a four-time participant at the 2A state track meet, reaching the podium five times in the shot put and discus, and winning a discus title his junior year — it wasn’t long before he drew interest from Division I programs.
And on both sides of the ball.
By the time Ale was a senior, he was considered the No. 9 player in the state in his class by 247Sports.com composite rankings, and the No. 67 offensive tackle nationally.
He held offers from Arizona, Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and Utah before signing with the Huskies in the early period the December of his senior year.
UW brought Ale to the program on the offensive side of the ball, but multiple schools were also interested in him as a defensive player.
Which is a position his former coach could certainly see Ale continue to thrive at in the season ahead. Defense includes “more reaction, explosion — which he was very good at” in high school, Nevin said.
“His athleticism on the defensive line, I think, is what will eventually really make him shine once he learns the techniques,” he said.
What Ale already accomplished as a defensive player at Fife gives him experience to draw on in this new role.
“There are definitely some things from defense I could kind of fall back on in kind of just reawakening these skills,” he said.
One noticeable difference from playing on the offensive side so far has been the longevity of plays.
“It’s not enough to just beat the block, I’ve got to get to the ball,” he said. “The offense is motioning, and just learning to know where to put myself, and know what block I’m about to play, and kind of anticipate where they’re trying to go.”
UW returns seven lineman who played defensive snaps last season, per PFF, but only four who rotated in regularly in fifth-year junior Tuli Letuligasenoa (478 in 12 games, including 11 starts), fourth-year sophomores Faatui Tuitele (243 in 10 games) and Jacob Bandes (195 in 12 games), and sophomore Voi Tunuufi (216 in 11 games as a true freshman). Redshirt sophomore Kuao Peihopa also appeared in four games as a true freshman, but missed much of the season with an injury.
“It’s a good foundation to start with,” Huskies defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield said of the group. “But, I think this spring is about finding the best combinations to put on the field.
“That’s what this spring is going to be for me — mixing and matching and trying to find out who can make plays and the strengths of each person and try to play to that.”
Including adding Ale to the competition.
“Everyone’s just been a great help,” Ale said. “When I come into this room — I may have been here for four years, but I’m the new guy.”
And after spending the past four seasons building up his skill set on the offensive line, he’s ready to do the same on defense.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
