Name: Olajuwon "Boodah" Tucker
Position: ILB
Class: Sophomore
Size: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds
Age: 18
High School: Serra High School (Gardena)
Scouting Report: Tucker is extremely versatile and possesses experience with seven game appearances under his belt. He's good in coverage due to his height and length, but also has the ability to come off strong on the edge when rushing the quarterback.
Prep Career: Tucker is yet another one of the many former and current Trojans who hail from Serra High School. He thrived for the Cavaliers as a linebacker his senior year finishing with 117 tackles, including 25 for losses with 12 sacks - not to mention his seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Tucker was named a 2013 Prep Star All-American, Max Preps All-State Division II first team, All-CIF Western Division and was the South Bay Defensive Player of the Year.
Spring Ball: After seeing playing time in seven games as a true freshman in 2014, Tucker will look to compete for a starting spot at the inside linebacker position vacated by captain Hayes Pullard. This spring Tucker has improved dramatically running with the ones, while Anthony Sarao recovers from a foot surgery.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian on Tucker: "He's changed his body. He came in just a little bit of a softer, longer guy. He's really hardened himself up which helps him be more explosive. He's been studying which is allowing him to be versatile. He's been playing inside for us, but we've also had him play some outside allowing him to rush the passer and he's showed up."
Here is Tucker with our Caroline Deisley...
