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Recruiting class should
not be overlooked

Note to the college football recruiter looking for a few good men:

There is a surplus of talent in the islands every year. Some have the mental strength to go with their Division I ability. Others are better suited for small colleges or junior colleges.

Then, there's Jayson Rego.

The Star-Bulletin's Offensive Player of the Year didn't luck into honors. He worked hard, played through injuries and listened to his coaches. He made reading blocks an art form. Rego ran for a ton of yardage, helped lead Kamehameha to its first state championship, credited his terrific offensive line.

With a 3.3 GPA and 1070 SAT, he is a Division I qualifier. Yet he hasn't received as many calls as he deserves.

Why? Maybe it's because he was recently listed at 5-foot-7, which was his height a while back. He's currently 5-9 and 185 pounds.

But maybe his size doesn't matter. Other Hawaii prep products have proven that at the next level.

The blackout period, when coaches are not permitted to call prospects, ends tomorrow.

Hawaii lands receiver from California Idris Moss has made a strong verbal commitment to accept a football scholarship from Hawaii. Moss played at UCLA before departing for Chaffey Community College (Calif.). He provides similar features and speed to former Warrior receiver Justin Colbert but, at 5-foot-11 and 175 points, Moss is bigger. He could play slotback or wideout in Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense. Chaffey's offense ran multiple formations. Moss played quarterback at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, Calif. Out of high school, he received scholarship offers from several schools, including UCLA, Wisconsin, Texas A&M and Fresno State. Moss was dismissed from UCLA for violating department policy, but kept his academics in line. He has spent just one semester at Chaffey and will have an associate degree by May. He will have two years to play two seasons for the Warriors. Star-Bulletin staff

A look at some of the state's top prospects, by position:

Offensive Line

Ikaika Aken-Moleta has a habit of getting up at 5 a.m. on school days to do his devotions. That routine will help if he ends up at San Diego State, which practices at 6 a.m. The Aztecs offered the Kapolei senior a scholarship during his visit Dec. 18-19.

Aken-Moleta was impressed with SDSU, but the 6-2, 315-pound guard visits BYU on Jan. 14, and Washington on Jan. 28. BYU could have the edge since Aken-Moleta is Mormon. Or maybe not.

"My parents and grandparents don't pressure me. They just want me to be happy," he said.

Mililani's Aaron Kia practically bleeds green for the Warriors, but intends to visit Oregon after a home visit from Ducks coach Mike Bellotti.

McKinley's Raphael Ieru is leaning toward the mainland. Much hinges on his SAT score and he may miss a visit to Arizona State because of a test date conflict. He visits Hawaii this month.

Kailua's Kainoa LaCount has an offer from Oregon State. Arizona State and Michigan are waiting on test scores of the 6-7, 305-pound senior.

Farrington's Shawn Sisifo Lauvao made trips to Cal and Arizona State, and Utah is pushing the 6-3, 310-pounder to visit. He has trips set for Boise State (Jan. 7), Oregon (Jan. 14) and BYU (Jan. 21). Miami has requested videotape.

Hawaii Prep's Daniel Te'o-Nesheim has an offer from UH but will visit Oregon (Jan. 14) and Washington (Jan. 21).

Kamehameha center Tyler Williams visited San Diego State and will go to Tennessee (Jan. 14) and Washington (Jan. 28). Ohio University's new coach Frank Solich offered him a scholarship last week.

Weber State, now coached by Ron McBride, is interested in Castle's Travis Pa'aga (6-2, 260).

Tight End

Kamehameha tight end Kamuela Kapanui will visit San Diego State. Lahainaluna's Stanley Malamala, a 6-3, 220-pounder, has not received an offer.

Wide Receiver

Kahuku's Spencer Hafoka visits Oregon State next weekend and BYU on Jan. 14.

Shaun Kauleinamoku, Saint Louis' highly productive slotback, has requests for videotapes from Oregon State, Portland State, UNLV, San Diego State and Nevada. If opportunities don't materialize, the 5-7, 165-pound speedster will probably walk on at Hawaii.

Mililani's Jon Santos is waiting on test scores. He's prepared to attend College of the Redwoods, Pasadena or Orange Coast.

Running Back

Kahuku's Micah Strickland has drawn interest from Oregon State, Utah, San Diego State, Michigan State and Washington. The Huskies see him as a linebacker.

Saint Louis running back Kevin Sullivan has an offer from Air Force and Utah has shown interest.

Defensive Tackle

Kamehameha's Mika Kane has trips to Oregon State (Jan. 7) and Michigan State (Jan. 14) lined up. He was very impressed with Cal after visiting last month and has visited San Diego State.

Saint Louis' Tyson Alualu liked his visit to Cal and there is strong interest from Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, BYU, Colorado, Washington, Tennessee and Hawaii.

Aiea's Malo Taumua will visit Utah this month, with Colorado also interested.

Defensive End

Former Mililani standout Jake Ingram learns tomorrow whether Idaho will offer a scholarship. The 6-3, 225-pounder is also drawing interest from Hawaii and Oregon State. Ingram has worked out hard since graduating in June, picking up 25 pounds.

Inside Linebacker

Like his brother, Travis, Tysan Pa'aga is drawing interest from Weber State. Pa'aga (6-1, 220) was a standout linebacker at Punahou.

Castle's Blaze Soares will visit Utah next weekend, followed by BYU and UH. It will take a lot to lure the 6-2, 210-pound senior to the mainland.

"I want to stay home," Soares said. "Plus, they open with Southern Cal, and I always wanted to play against them."

Cornerback

Kahuku's Al Afalava has trips to Oregon State (next weekend) and Washington (Jan. 14) lined up.

Safety

Kaiser quarterback-defensive end Shannon Wise drew interest from San Diego State and Washington and his future position is probably safety. Wise, 6-1, 180 pounds, plans to send videotape to several schools this week. One of them could be San Jose State, where former Hawaii coach Dick Tomey recently was hired.

Colorado State has shown interest in Kapolei's Kainoa Kaheaku-Enhada.

La'akea Moikeha (6-2, 180) of Roosevelt has drawn interest from Idaho and Hawaii.

Going, Going ...

Trask Iosefa, Punahou's all-state offensive tackle, committed to San Diego State on Dec. 19 during his visit. He will convert to center there. ... Defensive Player of the Year Kaluka Maiava was an early commit to USC. The Baldwin multi-sport standout is projected to move to outside linebacker. ... Pac-Five linebacker-running back Brashton Satele, another all-state selection, committed to Hawaii in early December. ... Aiea defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea committed to Hawaii on Christmas Day.