Coach Speak: Praise for Sione Hala's Versatility
Andy BackstromStaff Writer
Standing 6-foot, 221, safety Jaiden Lars-Woodbey can line up in the box and stop ball carriers in their tracks. He also can drop back in coverage and blow by guys 30 pounds lighter than him. The Florida State transfer spearheads a Boston College defense armed with hybrid playmakers.
It looks like the group will be getting another next year who, like Lars-Woodbey, is from St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California).
Safety Sione “Riz” Hala was the first Class of 2022 four-star recruit to commit to BC. And his head coach, Jason Negro, sees a lot of similarities between Hala’s game and Lars-Woodbey’s.
“[Riz’s] versatility is great,” Negro told Eagle Action Tuesday. “He can be a two-high safety. He can spin down and play in the box and kind of be an outside ’backer type guy. Or he can play a single-high look and play over the top of things.”
Hala has bounced all over the field for Bosco and, before transferring, was a Swiss army knife for Paramount High School, too. In addition to building his multifaceted defensive game, he has spent time at wide receiver and tight end for Bosco while making his mark on special teams.
In late May, Hala told Eagle Action that BC plans to use his full skill set on the defensive side of the ball. That means edge rushing, linebacker play and, of course, safety duties. The Eagles started seven of their 11 games last season in a 4-2-5 formation and, even in the games where they didn’t, often lined up in nickel and dime packages.
Negro explained that Hala’s role in Bosco’s defense is going to increase this fall, particularly from a leadership standpoint. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound ball of energy is approaching his second year with the team after making the in-state transfer before his junior year. Negro, who has led Bosco to three California state titles since taking over the reins in 2010, described his defense as “complex.” He noted that it’s equipped with several different fronts and coverages.
“It takes a long time for kids to really acclimate,” Negro said. “Even the smarter kids, it takes time for them to adjust. And so [Hala’s] going to play at a much faster pace [in 2021] because his understanding is that much greater.”
Hala loves immersing himself in the Xs and Os, according to Negro, who called Hala—the 20th-ranked Class of 2022 prospect in California—“an incredible student of the game.”
“I think that is the reason why he’s obviously attracted to BC because Hafley does an amazing job, and he’s so talented in terms of the way that he instructs and teaches the game,” Negro said.
Hala impressed in 1-on-1 drills during the Rivals Camp Series in Los Angeles toward the end of May. Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman reported that Hala kept pace with receivers downfield and used his length to shut down passing lanes in man coverage.
He’s a defensive chess piece with a palate for scheme.
“His ability to learn the game,” Negro said, “he’s going to be able to play early. He’s an advanced type guy coming from a collegiate-like high school program.
“So he’s going to fit in well there.”
