Off-season top ten report - Abu Tarawallie

One of the top recruits in Minnesota didn't have a chance to improve his stock during his junior season. Providence Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='552396' first='Abu' last='Tarawallie']—a three-sport athlete—injured his knee playing basketball and missed the entire football season. The junior was so impressive his sophomore year that multiple Power Five schools looked at him before he recently became an early commit. "I was playing basketball and tore my meniscus," Tarawallie said. "I had surgery last June. I was off for six months." "The first two months were the worst," Tarawallie continued, "because of the pain and having to sit in bed all day. When I was able to start the rehab – at that point, it was about mental toughness. I knew what I had to do. I knew it would be hard, but I had to keep pushing. It paid off in the end." Ultimately, he was out of action for six months. "I started therapy right away, but I couldn't walk for six weeks. I couldn't run for twelve weeks. I was out for about three months before I could start doing any active stuff." Tarawallie's body was telling him to go, but his doctors wanted him to be cautious. "I felt back to normal in October, but the doctors told me to be careful and be safe, so I would say December is when I really was back to normal." Watching his team struggle through a two-win season was tough, but the junior kept things in perspective. "I had the bigger picture in mind," the Lions' junior said. "At first, I was focused on the fact that I was missing out on everything, but I knew in the long run, everything was going to pay off. I just kept going." Tarawallie was one hundred percent for the basketball season. "The basketball season was great. We went to State. Josh (Sokeye) and I were the leaders of the team. He is the point guard, and I am the center. We had a lot of juniors and are looking for a state championship next year. I averaged about fifteen points and twelve rebounds." The team took 5th place in the Class A bracket. This spring, Tarawallie continued to compete. "I was in track. I didn't qualify for State, but it was a good season. I throw shot put and discus and run the 100 and 200, but that is just to stay in shape." Back on the football field, the soon-to-be senior has been starting on varsity since his freshman year. "I am typically an interior defensive lineman," Tarawallie told prepredzone.com. "I played some offensive tackle. I think I will be all over the defensive line this year and then left (offensive) tackle." On the defensive side of the ball, his overall athleticism gives him his greatest advantage. "I am physically stronger than most other people on the field. I am also quick and fast with all the track and speed work I have done." On offense, Tarawallie feels his biggest strength is his experience on the defensive side of the ball. "I know most of the things the defensive lineman will do. I am patient." Once the basketball season ended, the Lions' big man got back to work on his football skills. "I have been working on my rip move, and my get off – getting it quicker and getting my hands to my man before he gets them on me." He will also attend the Providence Academy team camps and do the team weight and speed programs. As one of the top players in Minnesota, Tarawallie has been on Division I's radar for a long time. "I have been getting recruited for about a year and a half. It has been good. All the coaches are nice and are invested. It feels good to have them pouring in." Even with the injury, most schools didn't back off. "A few schools were cautious – which makes sense – a lot of them weren't worried about it because I did workouts for them. They were all fine with my progress." Several Power Five schools were strongly considered by the 6'3, 270-pound athlete. "I was considering Minnesota, Michigan State, Kansas State, and Wisconsin." Ultimately, Tarawallie decided to stay home. "I loved Coach DeBo (defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere). He is like an older brother. He is like family – I got that feeling around him." Tarawallie could have taken more time to feel out the recruiting process. "There was no reason to waste time. I knew where I was going to go. I had (committed to Minnesota) in my mind for a few months. I just wanted to be sure." Even with an injury to one of their top targets, Minnesota was sure, too.

One of the top recruits in Minnesota didn't have a chance to improve his stock during his junior season. Providence Academy's Abu Tarawallie Abu Tarawallie 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL Providence Academy | 2025 State MN —a three-sport athlete—injured his knee playing basketball and missed the entire football season. The junior was so impressive his sophomore year that multiple Power Five schools looked at him before he recently became an early commit.
"I was playing basketball and tore my meniscus," Tarawallie said. "I had surgery last June. I was off for six months."
"The first two months were the worst," Tarawallie continued, "because of the pain and having to sit in bed all day. When I was able to start the rehab – at that point, it was about mental toughness. I knew what I had to do. I knew it would be hard, but I had to keep pushing. It paid off in the end."
Ultimately, he was out of action for six months.
"I started therapy right away, but I couldn't walk for six weeks. I couldn't run for twelve weeks. I was out for about three months before I could start doing any active stuff."
Tarawallie's body was telling him to go, but his doctors wanted him to be cautious.
"I felt back to normal in October, but the doctors told me to be careful and be safe, so I would say December is when I really was back to normal."
Watching his team struggle through a two-win season was tough, but the junior kept things in perspective.
"I had the bigger picture in mind," the Lions' junior said. "At first, I was focused on the fact that I was missing out on everything, but I knew in the long run, everything was going to pay off. I just kept going."
Tarawallie was one hundred percent for the basketball season.
"The basketball season was great. We went to State. Josh (Sokeye) and I were the leaders of the team. He is the point guard, and I am the center. We had a lot of juniors and are looking for a state championship next year. I averaged about fifteen points and twelve rebounds."
The team took 5th place in the Class A bracket. This spring, Tarawallie continued to compete.
"I was in track. I didn't qualify for State, but it was a good season. I throw shot put and discus and run the 100 and 200, but that is just to stay in shape."
Back on the football field, the soon-to-be senior has been starting on varsity since his freshman year.
"I am typically an interior defensive lineman," Tarawallie told prepredzone.com. "I played some offensive tackle. I think I will be all over the defensive line this year and then left (offensive) tackle."
On the defensive side of the ball, his overall athleticism gives him his greatest advantage.
"I am physically stronger than most other people on the field. I am also quick and fast with all the track and speed work I have done."
On offense, Tarawallie feels his biggest strength is his experience on the defensive side of the ball.
"I know most of the things the defensive lineman will do. I am patient."
Once the basketball season ended, the Lions' big man got back to work on his football skills.
"I have been working on my rip move, and my get off – getting it quicker and getting my hands to my man before he gets them on me."
He will also attend the Providence Academy team camps and do the team weight and speed programs.
As one of the top players in Minnesota, Tarawallie has been on Division I's radar for a long time.
"I have been getting recruited for about a year and a half. It has been good. All the coaches are nice and are invested. It feels good to have them pouring in."
Even with the injury, most schools didn't back off.
"A few schools were cautious – which makes sense – a lot of them weren't worried about it because I did workouts for them. They were all fine with my progress."
Several Power Five schools were strongly considered by the 6'3, 270-pound athlete.
"I was considering Minnesota, Michigan State, Kansas State, and Wisconsin."
Ultimately, Tarawallie decided to stay home.
"I loved Coach DeBo (defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere). He is like an older brother. He is like family – I got that feeling around him."
Tarawallie could have taken more time to feel out the recruiting process.
"There was no reason to waste time. I knew where I was going to go. I had (committed to Minnesota) in my mind for a few months. I just wanted to be sure."
Even with an injury to one of their top targets, Minnesota was sure, too.