Iowa State’s Kamilo Tongamoa more confident heading into second year in Ames

AMES, Ia. — Kamilo Tongamoa tried his best to stay serious during the Iowa State football team’s annual media day on Tuesday morning. But the senior defensive lineman found himself distracted by teammate Jamahl Johnson, who made faces while Tongamoa spoke with reporters.

“I’m sorry,” Tongamoa said through laughter. “Let me try this again.”

When he regained composure, Tongamoa expounded on his confidence level entering the 2018 season. He feels much more comfortable now than he did at any point last year.

“I learned a lot from last year,” he said. “It’s going to be different this year.”

The Cyclones certainly hope so. After transferring in from Merced Community College, Tongamoa struggled mightily last season, both on and off the field.

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Tongamoa didn’t get to Ames last year until late August, just nine days before the Cyclones’ season-opening game. He ultimately played in just four games and recorded just one tackle. His three-technique was no longer needed when Iowa State changed defensive schemes last season.

Additionally, Tongamoa packed on about 30 pounds. He was also suspended from the team after an arrest for OWI, striking an unattended vehicle, failure to have a valid license and for not having insurance. 

All of it humbled Tongamoa. He had joined the Cyclones’ program as a four-star recruit and the fourth-best junior-college defensive tackle in the country. Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock believes he can live up to those lofty expectations this fall.

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“He’s had a year in the video room, a year with coach, a year of learning from other players, a little bit of playing experience, spring ball, winter conditioning, summer practices, all that,” Heacock said. “That gives you some confidence.

“You learn and understand and have a handle of what’s going on. I think that’s the biggest thing. He feels like he belongs here, and that’s a huge factor. He walked in here a year ago, and then all of a sudden, he was out there playing. He hadn’t been through anything.”

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On Tuesday, Tongamoa was listed at 6-foot-5, 309 pounds. He felt more at ease standing inside Jack Trice Stadium. He talked glowingly of the Cyclones’ depth at defensive line.

“This group — there’s nothing like it,” he said, referring to guys like JaQuan Bailey, Ray Lima and Johnson, among others. “We have a lot of guys on the defensive line, a lot of talented guys.

“My mindset is a lot different from last year. Just trying to get better each day, learning the playbook.”

That makes Heacock smile, because he expects Tongamoa to play plenty this fall.

“He needs to be in the rotation, period,” Heacock said. “That’s the reality of it. He needs to be out there playing, in the rotation. He’s part of that group.”

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.