Recruits With linebacker Marco Chavez and quarterback Jason Whieldon deciding to leave the team, 10 of the 25 Hawaii football team's 2002 recruits are not on the Warriors' roster.
hit-or-miss
for Hawaii
10 prospective Warriors from
Who they are
the 2002 class are not on the rosterBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comIt is unlikely Chavez and Whieldon will come back, but coach June Jones said he expects several others to return to the team.
Five recruits have yet to meet academic requirements. Also, offensive lineman Mesepa Reed is enrolled at UH but not practicing, quarterback Inoke Funaki is on a religious mission and defensive lineman John Siofele died in a car accident last summer.
Jones said he cannot comment on the specific situations of the individuals who haven't met university or NCAA academic requirements to practice with the team or play in games. But he said he expects most or all of the five to return next semester.
"It's not unusual," Jones said. "They'll be here in January."
Some attrition over the years is normal for college football programs: Of UH's 2001 recruiting class, 14 of 20 players are on the team now, and five fifth-year seniors remain from former coach Fred vonAppen's 1998 recruiting class.
Jones said Reed is still on a football scholarship and "it's very possible" he will return to the team.
Several recruits who are on the roster have already made an impact two games into their UH careers; junior college transfers Chad Kalilimoku (linebacker), Jeremiah Cockheran (wide receiver) and John West (kick returner) have seen game action, as have true freshmen Kenny Patton (cornerback) and Abu Ma'afala (defensive tackle). Another first-year freshman, Tala Esera (defensive tackle), is poised to play if needed.
Last year, running back Mike Bass was the only true freshman to play.
"We know we have some freshmen who are contributing and can contribute this year," Jones said. "Others will redshirt and be good players for us next year."
Chavez, a 6-foot-3, 243-pound transfer from Palomar College, left the team two weeks ago.
"He went home (to Los Angeles) because of family problems," Jones said.
Jones and defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said Chavez didn't indicate that a lack of playing time bothered him. Chavez, in a logjam at linebacker, one of UH's deepest units, did not play against EIU or BYU.
"He would have at least played on special teams," Lempa said.
Whieldon played in both games. He left Hawaii last week for his home in Orange, Calif., because of a family matter he chose not to disclose. He decided not to return to UH.
Who: Hawaii (1-1) at Texas-El Paso (1-2) UH football
When: Saturday, 3 p.m. Hawaii time
TV: KFVE (Channel 5)
Radio: 1420-AM
Of note: UH's 66-7 victory over UTEP last year was Hawaii's largest margin of victory against a Division I opponent
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2002 recruiting class
Player Pos. Yr. Status Kalavi Blanchard OL Fr. Has not met academic requirements Marco Chavez LB Jr. Left for personal reasons Jeremiah Cockheran WR Jr. 2 receptions for 32 yards Ross Dickerson WR Fr. Had good fall camp, likely to redshirt Tala Esera OL Fr. Has not played, on travel roster Matt Faga DL Jr. Has not met academic requirements Denny Flanagan WR Fr. Has not practiced due to injury Inoke Funaki QB Fr. On religious mission Chad Kalilimoku LB Jr. Backup has 3 tackles Marques Kaonohi OL Fr. Will likely redshirt Kahai LaCount OL Fr. Will likely redshirt Abu Ma'afala DL Fr. Backup has sack and INT for TD A.J. Martinez DB Fr. Has not met academic requirements Kaipo Patoc DL Fr. Will likely redshirt Kenny Patton DB Fr. Played against BYU Se'e Paumele WR Jr. Backup has not played Mel Purcell, Jr. DE Fr. Has not met academic requirements Mesepa Reed OL Fr. In school, could return Samson Satele OL Fr. Backup at LG John Siofele DL Fr. Died in car accident 7/15/02 Ryan Stickler QB Fr. Will likely redshirt Darrell Tautofi DL Jr. Has not met academic requirements Dane Uperesa OL Fr. Will likely redshirt John West RB Jr. 1 kickoff return for 18 yards Jason Whieldon QB Jr. Left for personal reasons
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