5A-Region 7 Preview: Orem

2024 record: 8-3   2025 Key Games: Friday, September 5- Springfield Friday, September 12- at Spanish Fork Friday, September 19- at Wasatch   Orem has a tough August, so they need to take advantage of the September games early on to get back on their feet if they struggle with their non-region games. October is easy for Orem, so if they can win all three of these games, they'll be set up well with momentum as they head into the postseason   2025 Hardest Games: Friday, August 15- Granger Friday, August 22- at Lone Peak Friday, August 29- at Rocky Mountain (ID) Friday, September 26- Timpview   It's a tough start to the season for Orem, and they end with a tough region foe. If they can get two wins from the four, it'll look good for them.   2025 Outlook:   Orem went all in this year, and they are built to win the region. They have Seniors at all the right positions and Juniors that have shown good ability; they're looking at 5A state title or bust. Key Players:    Ka'awa has a great size and frame. He's put on solid mass this offseason, and he showcases a big arm, has a good delivery, and arguably has the best velocity of any signal caller in the state for the 2026 class. He has good pocket mobility and eludes and evades pressure well. He does a good job with off-platform throws, and he is a big-time player who is set up for a huge final season.     Akana is an exceptional athlete and an exciting two-way player. As a receiver, he has a good release package, footwork is excellent, he's a fluid route runner, and moves well laterally. Akana creates separation with ease and is strong at the catch point. He has put on good size this summer, and as a Safety, he has good range, is instinctual, and will help out on the opposing team's best receiver. An underrated aspect of his game is his arm, and he's been asked to be the kicker as well. Overall, he is an exceptional athlete.     Wesley is an exceptional modern-day TE that can be in-line or detached. He is a chess piece and an offensive weapon. Due to his size and athleticism, he is a mismatch. He's too fast and athletic for backers, and too big and physical for most safeties. He has put on good weight this offseason, and he displays good footwork, knows where to sit in zone coverages, and has a large catch radius.     Steeler has put in the work this offseason, and he is a great route runner for a tight end. His skill set will allow him to be out wide as a boundary receiver to be a mismatch versus cornerbacks, in the slot against safeties, and even as the detached tight end. His footwork is excellent, and he moves well for his size and transitions well downfield. He has strong hands, and he is a player who is ready to break out. He has all the tools you want to see in a young player, and he is a Power-Four starter.     Moala transfers to Orem and is set to feast on the 5A competition. He is an elite edge rusher who is explosive off the line, has an array of moves, and showcases good bend at the hip and physicality to his game. His hands are quick, and his pursuit is even better. A true elite edge rusher.     Ioane transfers in and is going to have an exceptional season. He has a great frame and will continue to grow into his frame. He's put on weight this season and should continue to add on weight throughout the year. He has a great wingspan, has a quick first step, uses speed and power to win, and is developing on a daily basis. He is set up for a huge season.     Fano is an exciting player who should garner significant reps this year. He has good size and will continue to fill out his frame. He does a good job at being light on his feet, moving well laterally and has a strong base. He is likely best as an interior offensive lineman, but he can work outside at the tackle spot. He shows great traits and will be a player that will start at the Power-Four level.     Kojima transfers in and was a two-way player last year on a limited basis. He was an effective running back with good vision, contact balance, and power as a runner. He earned tough yards and is a player who could earn a short yardage role for Orem. On defense, as a backer, he was impressive with his innate instincts and showed good speed to go along with his physicality and tackling form. He found himself around the football and was a much-needed player on that defense. With their losses, he'll be asked to take on a bigger role, and he might see himself being more of an on-ball backer this year.       Vaea shows natural instincts and played a prominent role last year and was a versatile backer who could rush the quarterback and drop back into coverage. He shows good quickness, closes ground quickly, and has textbook tackling form. Vaea will look to continue to fly all around the field and make plays and continue to be a force on the stout Orem defense.     Galea'i transfers in from Timpview and is a superb athlete. It's likely he sees some snaps on offense and could be a returner on key situations, but his bread and butter will be as a defensive back. He has good quickness and overall speed to go along with tremendous hip fluidity and the ability to stick to his man. He makes plays on balls coming his way and is a threat to come down with anything thrown in his area. He's an exciting athlete and will be a Power-Four starter.     Rasmussen is a cover corner with good hips and does a good job sticking to his receiver. He does well against taller receivers and will be a nuisance and disrupt plays that come his way. He shows good lateral movement and quickness, that trait will allow him to stick with twitchy receivers. Rasmussen has done well this offseason and will look to showcase his skills and garner additional D1 offers.     Sudweeks was an intricate part of the secondary last year and should continue to contribute this year. He is a player that moves well, has good suddenness, and does well changing direction. He showcased his ability to make plays on balls last year and will look to lead the team in interceptions this year. He's an exciting player.     The running back room opens up and Curtis projects to slot in as the opening day starter and he was effective on a per touch basis last year. He's done well in the offseason and during the spring showcases, displayed good lateral movement and making defenders miss in open space. As a runner, he does well getting small through the first level and then using his movement patterns to make defenders miss at the second level. He's a three down back and has soft hands and will be effective as an outlet.    That was our look at the Orem Tigers.

2024 record: 8-3