In a bold move that sent waves through the college football recruiting landscape, Bott Mulitalo, a dominant 4-star offensive lineman out of Oceanside, California, officially committed to BYU football late Wednesday evening. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound trench warrior announced his decision via a slick video on social media, donning a royal blue BYU cap beneath the Pacific sunset, with the caption: “Faith. Family. Football. Cougs Nation, I’m home.”
Mulitalo, ranked among the top 15 offensive guards in the nation by several recruiting services, had a fierce list of suitors. He held offers from powerhouse programs like Oregon, USC, Utah, and Michigan. Yet, after a visit to Provo in early April—where he was seen laughing with offensive line coach Darrell Funk, sharing Polynesian meals with the team, and praying with head coach Kalani Sitake—Mulitalo knew BYU was more than a football fit; it was a spiritual and cultural homecoming.
“Coach Sitake didn’t recruit me like a player—he welcomed me like family,” said Mulitalo in a post-commitment interview. “That meant everything to me and my parents. BYU isn’t just building football players. They’re building men.”
Known for his rare blend of size, mobility, and ferocity in the trenches, Mulitalo turned heads as a junior at Pacific Hills High School, where he allowed zero sacks all season and recorded 42 pancake blocks. His powerful first step and tenacity in run blocking drew comparisons to former BYU great Brady Christensen, now in the NFL. At camps, Bott flashed elite footwork and hand technique—traits that make him a potential day-one contributor.
His commitment is a massive win for BYU’s 2025 recruiting class, which has quietly built momentum with a wave of top-tier talent, especially in the trenches. Mulitalo becomes the highest-rated offensive lineman to commit to BYU since their move to the Big 12, a statement that the Cougars are serious about contending in the Power Five.
BYU fans exploded with excitement after the announcement, with social media flooded with gifs of pancake blocks and Polynesian pride. “Bott is exactly the kind of player that fits our program,” Coach Sitake said. “He’s tough, humble, and plays with heart. We can’t wait to get him in Royal.”
Mulitalo plans to graduate early and enroll at BYU in January 2025, giving him an early start on training, film study, and weight room work. His presence could immediately impact BYU’s offensive line depth, especially as they look to protect young quarterbacks and establish a dominant ground game in the Big 12.
In an era where NIL and hype dominate recruiting, Bott Mulitalo’s commitment feels like something deeper—a nod to culture, faith, and a belief in a bigger mission. For BYU, it’s not just another star—it’s a cornerstone.
