Left tackle Rhino Tapa'toutai brings 'energy and attitude' to Arizona's offensive line

Rhino Tapa'atoutai has big shoes to fill.

The leader to start at left tackle for the Arizona Wildcats this season will succeed Jordan Morgan, a first-round NFL Draft choice by the Green Bay Packers. The All-Pac-12 Morgan, who played 2,204 snaps over five years at the UA, became the first Arizona offensive lineman drafted in the first round since John Fina in 1992 — and the highest-selected Wildcat since Chris McAlister in 1999.

Meanwhile Tapa'atoutai, whose first name is Siaosi, hasn't played a single collegiate snap since signing with the Wildcats last season. Oh, and he's responsible for protecting arguably Arizona's most valuable asset, quarterback Noah Fifita. 

Good luck, kid.

Through the first nearly two weeks of fall training, "it's been good" for Tapa'atoutai at left tackle.

"If anything, it's been great," he said. "Just taking it day-by-day with the fellas, focusing on the present, helping each other out and get better each day.

"My mindset is I'm just trying to do my job and not overthink it. It's the next man up. Just gotta do my job and stick to the course." 

Tapa'toutai described his style at left tackle as "relentless," adding that his name is "pretty self-explanatory."

Tapa'atoutai received the nickname playing youth football in West Valley City, Utah. 

"It just stuck with me as I traveled around the country," said. 

When Tapa'toutai began his high school career, he was "recruited" to the Los Angeles area, where he played for Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California, and "had a host family that looked out for me during my time there." 

"At first, I didn't think too much of it. 'Oh, I'm going to Cali to play ball,' but through time, I matured and grew mentally, physically," Tapa'atoutai said. "I'd say that's what helped me move here and get ready for the next level. It was like a mini college. I'm glad I took the opportunity." 

Tapa'toutai signed with Arizona's 2023 recruiting class as a three-star recruit. In the last year, Tapa'toutai packed on just over 30 pounds to his 6-5 frame and now weighs 311 pounds. Although Morgan was "not really a talkative guy," Tapa'atoutai learned from the former Marana High School standout and now-NFL rookie and received tips and pointers throughout the '23 season.   

"It's good to have those extra (veteran) eyes to coach me up on," Tapa'atoutai said. "It's just more perspective and telling me to up my game. For that, he has all my respect." 

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Former four-star recruit Raymond Pulido, who was also a part of the Wildcats' '23 class, was expected to take over for Morgan at left tackle. Pulido started for Morgan, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, and worked with the first-team offense in the spring before suffering a leg injury.

While Pulido is still listed on Arizona's roster, UA coach Brent Brennan said Pulido is "unavailable" this season. No other details have been made available as to Pulido's status.

Other players taking reps at left tackle include Oregon transfer Michael Wooten, who is currently out with a leg injury, and freshman Matthew Lado. 

With Pulido away from the team, Tapa'atoutai has found a different gear in Arizona's player-run practices (PRPs) in the summer. 

"From there on, ever since we started in the summer and had our own PRPs everything, it just stuck," Tapa'atoutai said. "It's been good. I've been taking advantage of it and trying to make the most of it."

Fifita has instilled confidence in Tapa'atoutai, and "it's been really good to have that healthy communication with each other," the left tackle said.  

Arizona left guard Wendell Moe, who's been limited in training camp with a "soft-tissue" injury, said Tapa'atoutai has "been doing a good job.

"He's been taking the coaching and accepting everything (offensive line coach Josh Oglesby) has been teaching," Moe said. 

Tapa’toutai brings “energy and attitude” to Arizona’s offensive line, said Arizona center Josh Baker. Morgan was more reserved. Tapa'atoutai is self-confident and exuberant — not afraid to pound his chest after winning a rep. 

“I love that kid’s attitude and his toughness,” Baker said. “No matter what, he could be dying, but he’s right there with us. I love that about him. When he’s out there and it’s hot as heck, he looks like he’s about to throw up and he’s back in. It doesn’t matter how hot he’s feeling or how down he is, he’s with us and he’s fighting.”

Opposite of Tapa'atoutai on Arizona's offensive line is preseason All-Big 12 selection and potential first-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea, who advised Arizona's new left tackle to not "make the moment too big" for himself.

“Just go out there and have fun," Savaiinaea said. "Take all of that preparation from over the years and just put it into the moment.”

Arizona's success on offense this season depends on the offensive line carving lanes for rushers and protecting Fifita, who will have arguably the best receiver in UA history in Tetairoa McMillan as one of the targets. Arizona offensive coordinator Dino Babers said earlier in camp, "As they go, we go."

"I grew up in the age where everyone used to call offensive linemen ‘hogs.’ I say our offensive linemen aren’t hogs, they’re elephants. They’re elephants. Everyone says the lion is the king of the jungle. That’s not true. I’ve seen many lions look at a whole bunch of elephants and go, ‘I ain’t going down there, those guys are big!’ Elephants are the king of the jungle. As they go, we go."

One of Arizona's elephants is a Rhino.

Extra points:  

• With Moe limited to individual drills, Northwestern transfer and Phoenix native Alexander Doost has "been taking over the ropes so far" at left guard "and he's doing a great job." The 6-7, 332-pound Doost transferred to Arizona at 295 pounds and has displayed "raw power," said Baker. Added Baker: "I've never seen a kid come in and have that much strength behind him. Obviously everyone needs work, but he's a young kid and has a lot of time. With our coaches, he's going to do great with development."
• McMillan, who's been slowly working his way back from a leg injury, continues to practice in limited fashion. On Wednesday and Thursday, McMillan participated in individual drills and ran routes, but was held out of 7-on-7 and team segments.
•  Arizona junior tight end Keyan Burnett, who's been rock-solid in training camp, had his best practice. Burnett hauled in a touchdown during one-on-one drills, then caught a pass from reserve quarterback and Northern Arizona transfer Adam Damante in a 7-on-7 period. During a team period towards the end of practice on Thursday, Burnett ran a deep crossing route and caught a pass from Fifita. Burnett was also effective in dump-off passes on Thursday. The 6-6, 248-pound Burnett is trending towards a potential breakout season after playing behind Tanner McLachlan the last two seasons. Between a much-improved pass-catcher in Roberto Miranda and San Jose State transfer Sam Olson, coupled with rising players in Dorian Thomas and Tyler Powell, the Wildcats have a panoply of tight ends.