Imagine if everything in life came as easy as football has to Lynn Katoa.

The first time riding a bike you wouldn't fall.

The first round of golf you'd shoot a 69.

The first time playing a tennis match, you'd win in three sets.

That's basically what happened to Katoa at Cottonwood High School last year when he played organized football for the first time.

His game as natural as a mountain spring, Katoa dominated the Utah high school football scene last year as a junior in his first real year of playing football. Katoa played sparingly for the sophomore team. As a junior he played varsity regularly and started turning heads, amassing 109 tackles, 13 sacks and four forced fumbles. He was all-region as well as all-state.

"He's just a natural," said Cottonwood head coach Cecil Thomas.

"He has all the physical tools."

Katoa plays linebacker, and the heavily recruited, blue-chip senior is sought by just about everybody. Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Wisconsin, USC and just about every other major program are all salivating at the thought of Katoa's 6-2, 220-pound frame wreaking havoc for opposing offenses.

USC head coach Pete Carroll, among others, came to Salt Lake City this spring just to see Katoa work out, even though he could not talk to him because of recruiting rules. Scout.com has Katoa ranked No. 3 in the country at his position and Rivals.com has him listed at No. 4.

Scout.com describes him as a player who "plays the game with heart, passion and no fear," also adding, "he is a brutal and physical hitter."

With all this recognition coming in just one year's time, one has to wonder what took him so long?

"Basketball was more my thing, but I just played (football) and started hitting hard, and everything came natural," said Katoa.

Natural is a word that seems to keep popping up every time someone mentions his name. What's scary is that he's this good this soon. His coach describes him as "raw." So how good can Katoa be when he picks up all the nuances of the game?

"He's a guy who could play on Sundays," said Thomas, adding that it will take a lot of hard work to make that happen. "Sky's the limit."

All Katoa has to do now is decide to which school he will lend his services. He plans on visiting campuses in the coming weeks and says he wants to find a school where he is comfortable with the coaches, players and overall atmosphere. His ultimate goal is to play in the NFL, but he also emphasized that a college degree is important to him. Ah, music to a coach's ears.

While his learning curve is still significant, he says he has more knowledge and confidence than last year. Adapting to football has come pretty quickly. There is one talent he already possesses though, a skill that can't really be taught.

"He's a natural-born leader," said Thomas.

There's that word again.

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E-mail: nstorey@desnews.com