Alief Hastings Linebacker David Umah Excels on Field
The standout senior linebacker is posting impressive numbers as he pursues a college football scholarship.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football
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Alief Hastings senior linebacker David Umah has recorded 60 tackles and four sacks through the first six games of his 2026 season. The Houston-area standout is currently aiming for a college football scholarship while maintaining a 3.7 GPA.
Why it matters
Umah is working to secure his collegiate future by demonstrating significant physical development and consistent production on the defensive side of the ball. His efforts to improve his strength are aimed at bettering his ability to shed blockers in competitive play.
Umah has recorded 60 tackles, four sacks, 2.5 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four quarterback hurries through six games. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker also runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and boasts a 76.7-inch wingspan.
The players
David Umah
He is a senior linebacker at Alief Hastings High School who is currently pursuing a college football scholarship.
Donnie Baggs
He is a Houston-based professional football trainer who helped Umah improve his strength and blocking-shedding abilities.
The details
After missing five games during his junior season due to an ankle injury, Umah focused on a rigorous strength program with trainer Donnie Baggs to enhance his performance. His off-season work resulted in his bench press jumping from 250 to 335 pounds and his squat increasing from 405 to 550 pounds.
Timeline
Umah played as a junior during the 2025-2026 football season.
The 2026 season marks Umah's final year as a high school senior.
Season Trajectory
Umah's performance trajectory follows the standards set by the NCAA Division I football recruiting cycle. His ability to produce high tackle and sack counts during his senior year is crucial for his standing among college scouts and prospective recruiters.
Umah is on pace to reach his personal goal of 100 tackles and 10 sacks by the end of his senior season. His current output, featuring 60 tackles and four sacks, significantly outpaces his junior season production rate.
The takeaway
Umah's physical transformation demonstrates how targeted strength training can translate to increased on-field production. Student-athletes can look to his focus on specific metrics, like bench and squat capacity, as a viable roadmap for improving their own performance.
Further reading
For more on local high school athletics, visit the Houston Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DefenderNetwork.
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