COLLEGE FOOTBALL
CB Camacho commits to UH
The Camacho family of Riverside, Calif., is making plans for Thanksgiving weekend in Hawaii next year.
"Oh yes, they'll all be here for that," Chris Camacho said, minutes after he made an oral commitment last night to accept a football scholarship from Hawaii.
Camacho's twin brother, Dario, pledged Purdue on Thursday. The Boilermakers visit the Warriors at Aloha Stadium on Nov. 25 next season.
Chris Camacho is a 5-foot-10, 195-pound cornerback. His brother is a 5-11, 205-pound running back. They were junior college teammates the past two seasons at Citrus College (Calif.), where Chris intercepted two passes and was in on 70 tackles. He also forced three fumbles and recovered three.
Chris said the twins could've gone to Nevada or New Mexico as a package deal, but they decided it was time to part ways.
"We're grown men now," Chris said. "Obviously we'll always be close, but we can't always be together."
Chris Camacho said he was also recruited by Boise State and Minnesota State, but chose Hawaii because of its family feel and the opportunity to play right away.
"I'm going to play immediately," said Camacho, who completes his visit today.
UH returns three players who started games at cornerback last season, but the Warriors suffered from uneven play at the position.
The cornerback with the most experience, senior Kenny Patton, will work out at receiver in spring practice.
Camacho said he thought he was going to finish his junior college work this semester, but found he has one class left to complete. His plan is to come to Hawaii in the summer to begin preparing for the 2006 season.
Camacho also said he looks forward to the opportunity to return kickoffs.
Coach June Jones cannot comment on specific recruits yet, according to NCAA rules. But he repeated yesterday that cornerback is a need area for the Warriors.
"We're zeroing in on corners," Jones said. "Even if we don't add anybody, we'll be a better team next year. But if we get five cornerbacks and no other positions we'll be a pretty good football team. Then we'll go for the best available players at other positions."
The Warriors have secured commitments from four other players so far, including two more junior college transfers: receiver C.J. Hawthorne (Mississippi Gulf Coast) and defensive lineman David Veikune (Fresno City). Also quarterback Stanford Leti and linebacker Quinton Tang of Moanalua High School have committed.
Veikune, a Campbell High School graduate, originally went to Colorado two years ago.
Two other recruits are visiting this weekend, Jones said.
Elimimian honored: Inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian was named to the Scout.com All-Freshman team. Elimimian led the Warriors with 83 tackles.
Another true freshman, slotback Davone Bess, was named to the second team. Second-year freshman slotback Ryan Grice-Mullen made the third team.
Oregon State tackle Jeremy Perry, a Kahuku graduate, made the first team. Hawaii Prep graduate Max Unger, a tackle at Oregon, was named to the second team.
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Sipili picks Oregon State
Damien defensive lineman Michael Sipili has committed to play for Oregon State.
Sipili, who is visiting San Diego State with Monarchs teammates Lolomana Mikaele and Kealoha Pilares this weekend, has given the Beavers an oral commitment.
Sipili is 6-foot-1, 240 pounds and an NCAA Division I academic qualifier.
Mikaele, a 6-2, 250-pound defensive tackle, has scholarship offers from Utah and New Mexico State. He will make an official visit to Arizona in early January.
Pilares, one of the most prolific running backs in the state, has scholarship offers from Air Force, Boise State and Hawaii, as well as SDSU. His father is in the Air National Guard, and Pilares' goal is to become a pilot. That's why Air Force has a slight edge in this recruiting battle. The honors student will visit Colorado Springs in early January.
Hawaii is looking at the 5-11, 175-pound speedster as a wide receiver.