Scouting Report: Osa Masina

Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton linebacker Osa Masina (image via Deseret News)

Name: Osa Masina
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton
Class: 2015

Notes: Holds offers from BYU, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, and Wisconsin . . . ESPN 4-star, #13 athlete, #127 overall, #1 in Utah . . . Rivals 4-star, #5 athlete, #53 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, #10 OLB, #159 overall, #2 in Utah . . . As a junior in 2013, had 222 carries for 1,643 yards and 25 touchdowns, along with 87 tackles and 4.5 sacks . . . As a sophomore in 2012, had 108 carries for 706 yards and 9 touchdowns, along with 37 tackles

Strengths: Plays with a whatever-it-takes mentality . . . Good speed . . . Takes good angles toward ball carriers . . . Shows quality sportsmanship . . . High motor player . . . Wades through trash well . . . Good enough athlete to be effective in pass coverage . . . As a running back, churns legs through contact

Weaknesses: As a running back, really lacks smooth athleticism and balances . . . Just looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands . . . Effective as a high school runner because of his athleticism, but clearly a defensive player at the next level . . . On defense, tends to drag guys down instead of driving through them

Projection: Outside linebacker. While the 6'4" that's listed at some websites looks to be an overestimate of at least an inch, perhaps two, Masina does look like an outside linebacker at the next level. He has the speed and length to be a blitzer off the edge, and he has the quickness and athleticism to fold inside as an interior blitzer. He does a good job of tracking ball carriers but seems to be more of a downhill player than a read-and-react type of guy. The most impressive thing about Masina is his motor. Offensively and defensively, the guy just seems to be determined to get the endzone, take down the ball carrier, and make a play, regardless of what's in his way. That bodes well for his future.

Reminds me of: Jake Ryan. I thought about this comparison for a while, and I couldn't think of a great one for overall body type, athleticism, and playing style. I finally settled on Jake Ryan because of the motor and desire to make a play.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Masina recently named a top eight that included Arizona State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, and Wisconsin. He has an older brother at Utah, and 90% of his Crystal Ball predictions are for the Utes. However, Michigan is right in the thick of his recruitment and could probably be included in a top three.