What a pair of talented Polynesians in the trenches for Nebraska. What a time in the program’s proud history.
In 2000, Dominic Raiola started at center for Nebraska, and Toniu Fonoti was the No. 1 left guard.
They both left NU as first-team All-Americans — Raiola in 2000, Fonoti in 2001.
What some people will remember most is their fiery nature.
“I can never see anybody being nice and playing O-line,” Fonoti told me Saturday from Provo, Utah.
Fonoti, 42, has reentered the Nebraska football realm in a fairly significant way because as a volunteer coach for West High School in Salt Lake City, he helps guide three-star offensive lineman Brian Tapu , who on Thursday night verbally committed to play for the Huskers.
Yes, Fonoti is elated. He’s immensely proud of his time at NU.
“Also, he’ll be coached by Donnie,” Fonoti said of fellow Hawaii native Donovan Raiola , Nebraska’s third-year offensive line coach. “I’ve seen what Donnie can do. I know what he can do. In my own opinion, I felt Donnie would be a good one to take Brian on, take him under his wing — to take what I’m teaching Brian and add even more.”