Timberline High School football lineman Kataferu “Felu” Galoia will take his talents to Corvallis, Oregon, in the fall of 2027.
The junior standout announced his verbal commitment to Oregon State University June 5 following an official visit to the Pac-12 campus. OSU was one of five schools to offer a scholarship to Galoia, along with the University of Idaho; Sacramento State University; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and the University of Montana.
Galoia was recruited as a three-technique and nose tackle on the defensive line under new Beavers head coach JaMarcus Shephard and defensive line coach Mark Hagen. The soon-to-be senior also lines up at left tackle for the Blazers and is poised to be one of the top linemen on both sides of the ball in the Puget Sound League in 2026.
“I think it’s the culture they’re building under Coach Shep. I really enjoyed my meeting with Coach Shep and my relationship with Coach Hagen,” Galoia said of his commitment. “I know the type of person Shep is. He’s very authentic. I know what he wants and I believe in his vision. I want to be a part of that.”
Galoia’s official visit to Corvallis this month was his fourth trip to the campus, as he took two visits last year and also spent time on campus in April to watch a spring practice. While watching OSU’s practice in the spring, Galoia was impressed with how the coaching staff holds the players accountable.
“They’re built on hard work. When I watched them practice, they’re running all the time. If one person messes up, even if it’s small, they’re running again,” Galoia said. “They’re always working, and everybody’s keeping each other accountable on and off the field.”
Galoia, listed at 6-foot-2 and 316 pounds, is rated as a three-star prospect by multiple recruiting outlets. He received four of his five offers between January and March, including from Oregon State on Jan. 20 after Hagen visited Galoia at Timberline.
The flurry of recent scholarship offers stemmed from an impressive 2025 season that saw Galoia honored as a First Team All-Puget Sound League offensive lineman. He believes a run at the league’s Lineman of the Year award is possible in the fall of 2026.
“I see more production on the field,” Galoia said of his 2026 goals. “Last year, I definitely had way better production than my previous years. I got first team offensive line in our league, but I want to get that best lineman of the year award. The guy that won it last year, Apela Sarte from Lakes, definitely deserved it. I feel like nobody in our league right now is better than me.”
Galoia has lined up in the trenches since he started playing football in fourth grade. When he started his prep career as a freshman, he dreamed of the opportunity to play college football but saw it as a longshot.
Now, Galoia is committed to a Division I program before his senior year, which was his goal to allow him to focus on his final campaign. He plans to graduate from Timberline early and head to Corvallis for winter workouts in January, but not before he anchors what should be an exciting season for the Blazers.
Galoia is one of two Division I commits on the Timberline defense, joining University of Washington defensive back commit Maurice Williams, who transferred in from Graham-Kapowsin. They’ll be part of a defensive unit that returns most of its starters from a season ago, and the Blazers are returning to a 3-3 defensive front after spending a short time utilizing a 4-2 front.
“We’re definitely going to be way better. We’re gonna have a more dominant defense and more communication on the field,” Galoia said. “We look good on paper, but we’ve got to live up to that.”
During Timberline’s summer practices, Galoia is one of the most vocal players on the field, directing teammates from his left tackle position before goal-line drills. The Blazers will deploy an offense that features more run-pass option looks, as well as a physical rushing attack behind an experienced offensive line.
Timberline opens the season at home against Stadium Friday, Sept. 4.
