Stanford transfer
could play this year

The Cardinal have
given Jauron Pigg his release,
he just needs NCAA OK

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Former Stanford University wide receiver Jauron Pigg not only is transfering to the University of Hawaii, but has an excellent chance of playing for the Rainbows this fall.

"All he did was run track for Stanford last year and he sat out the season in football," UH assistant coach Tom Williams said yesterday after practice.

"Stanford already has given him his release, so as far as they are concerned, he can play right away. I know Jauron is petitioning the NCAA to get their final approval, but it looks very good that he will be able to play in the fall."

Pigg is the third Stanford player to transfer to Hawaii. Senior running back Quincy Jacobs and senior quarterback Tim Carey are already projected starters.

Recruiting coordinator Don "Buck" Dillon said that Pigg has tremendous speed -- he ran a 10.4 100 meters in high school and competed on Stanford's track team the last two years.

"I'm sure he will get a hard look at fall camp as soon as he arrives," Dillon said of the Indiana resident. "We're hopeful he can step right in and play this season."

Pigg is not the only player transfering to Hawaii. The Rainbows also signed Yaphet Warren from the University of Idaho. He will have to sit a year, but Williams projects him as a linebacker.

"We also have a couple of walk-ons, who we think will help us right away," Williams said. "The first player is Ray Wilhelm from Maui and Ryan Gray from the College of San Mateo (Calif)."

Gray will compete at wide receiver, while Wilhelm, who graduated from Baldwin High in 1994 and spent the last two years at De Anza (Calif.) Junior College, is slated to play safety.

"We like the looks of both of those guys," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said. "Gray is a big receiver with good hands and speed, and Wilhelm has good size at safety.

"We're also hopeful that Pigg can play right away. Stanford has given us their blessing, so it's up to the NCAA to give the OK. We're confident it could happen."

VonAppen also was pleased with the condition of the new incoming players, and the overall strength and speed of the veterans.

"I'm not sure how many wins that will translate to, but we're in a lot better shape physically than we were a year ago," vonAppen said. "The new guys look good, but it's still going to take some time before they fit right in."

Two young players to watch for on defense are freshman Miles Garner and junior college transfer Mark Mollner. Mollner is a 6-foot 5, 225-pound linebacker from Newport Beach, Calif., and Garner is a 6-2, 325-pound down lineman from San Jose, Calif.

"We've already moved Mark to linebacker because he's a big, old lanky kid," UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey said. "You remember Ted Hendricks? They used to call him The Stork.

"Well, this kid is built a lot like him. I'm going to put him over at left outside linebacker and let him start waving those long arms of his and maybe he can be a distraction. I also like what I see in Miles. He's got good size and quickness."

Offensively, the Rainbows have a good stable of incoming running backs headed by Glendale (Ariz.) Junior College transfer Anthony Diieso, and incoming freshmen Charles Tharp and Avion Weaver.

"We'll find out more about them over the next three weeks," offensive coordinator Wally English said. "I like what I see. This class has good size, speed and quickness. The guys coming back also look good. It's time to get down to business."