"I liked the program and the coaching staff," said Tufaga, who has yet to make a trip to the Utes' campus.

Tufaga was the undisputed leader of the state's best prep defense. In St. Louis' recent 7-0 victory over Waianae in the Prep Bowl, he was the glue that held the Crusaders together throughout the game.

He also was instrumental in St. Louis' thrilling 27-26 win against Kahuku in the 1995 Prep Bowl.

Tufaga is the second St. Louis player to commit in two days. Offensive lineman Dominic Raiola, also a two-time all-state pick, made his verbal commitment to Nebraska on Wednesday.

Tufaga was a take-no-prisoners type of defensive player who had seven interceptions last season and was known around the league for his bone-jarring hits that sometimes generated fumbles.

"I like to attack the ball," said the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder.

Tufaga had seven interceptions and scored on one of them.

Also a ferocious special teams player, Tufaga nailed returners cold and even blocked punts.

Tufaga joins other former St. Louis stars at Utah, where Crusaders coach Cal Lee's brother, Tommy, is an assistant coach.

Two-time all-state quarterback Darnell Arceneaux accepted a scholarship there last year and former Crusaders fullback Chris Fuamatu-Maafala is now one of the Western Athletic Conference's premier ball carriers.

Tufaga said he also considered the University of Hawaii.

The 6-3, 285-pound Raiola, a National Honor Society student, bench-presses 365 pounds, squats 420 and power-cleans 275.

He can run the 40 in 5 seconds flat.

Raiola, who is breaking new ground for Hawaii recruits by going to the Cornhuskers, turned down Stanford, UCLA, Utah and Washington.

He made his trip to Nebraska last weekend.

Raiola said line coach Milt Tenopir won him over when he said, "If you come here, we'll make you something."