Samoan in Alabama drawing attention
Travis Sailo, 2016 linebacker from Sipsey Valley High School in Buhl, Ala., had an interesting path to where he is now. He is from the village of Nu'uuuli in American Samoa. He started playing football when he was 14 years old shortly after his father passed away. He played for the American Young Football Samoa League earning an spot on the All-Star team.
Sailo's team played in Hawaii in 2012. He decided to stay with his aunt (Teresa) who lived in Hawaii at the time. His mother wanted him to stay with his aunt. Teresa took a job opportunity in Alabama, and brought along the 6-foot-1, 240-pound athlete to the heart of the SEC.
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"I've been in Alabama for two years now," said Sailo. "I have really enjoyed it here. I've been playing football since I was in the eighth grade. I am good at linebacker, but feel like I can play anything. I played defensive end my first year, and I did good.
"I am from American Samoa. One of the coaches asked me if I wanted to play football. I decided to do it. We played in Hawaii, and I decided to stay with my aunt. We are now here in Alabama."
Sailo has started to attract attention from college programs. An out-of-state SEC school was the first to offer a scholarship. He traveled to Starkville earlier this season.
"I have an offer from Mississippi State," he said. "I've only been over there once. I went to watch them play against Auburn. It was a great visit. It was the coolest thing ever. The community there is awesome. The school is really great."
Sailo wants to hear more from schools on the West Coast including Oregon and UCLA.
"The community at Oregon looks really good," he said. "I am a Samoan. I know they have a lot of Samoan guys who have played and currently play at their school. UCLA is another school I am interested in because of that."