WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Warriors hosting defensive backs
Hawaii is in the mix for a highly regarded junior college defensive back who is making an official recruiting visit with the Warriors this weekend.
Jonathan Batson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety from Dallas, has received scholarship offers from Arkansas and Texas A&M. Miami is also expressing interest, Batson said.
Batson, who played two years at Cisco Junior College (Texas), was the 2005 defensive MVP of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. Batson has been timed at 4.4 in the 40.
His defensive backfield mate at Cisco, Morgan Taylor (6-2, 190), is also visiting UH this weekend. Taylor hasn't drawn much Division I attention, but he and Batson could be an attractive package deal for the Warriors since both have the potential to play cornerback and that is one of UH's recruiting priorities.
"I haven't seen that much yet, but I like it so far," Batson said yesterday, a few hours after arriving in Hawaii.
Batson and Taylor are among around 20 football players making their visits to Manoa this weekend.
Cornerback Myron Newberry is another intriguing JC prospect. The 5 foot 9, 165-pound cornerback said he has been electronically timed a 4.36 in the 40 yard dash. He has attracted attention from Michigan State, Tulsa and North Texas.
Kapolei linebacker Pookela Ahmad (6-2, 210) and defensive end Alasi Toilolo (6-4, 230) are also visiting.
Two quarterbacks are on campus this weekend, including Star-Bulletin All-State selection Kiran Kepo'o of Iolani. Kelsey Sokolski, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound passer from Englewood, Colo., is also in town. Sokolski has also received interest from New Mexico State and San Jose State.
The Warriors are also looking at Castle quarterback Bryce Kalauokaaea, probably as an invited walk-on.
First-team All-State lineman Ken Livai (6-4, 298) of Kahuku will visit Hawaii later in the month.
Three other Kahuku seniors visited Oregon State with quarterback Kaulin Krebs, Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said.
Krebs committed to the Beavers last weekend, and linebacker prospects Devin Unga (6-1, 201) and Kevin Unga (6-1, 222) and safety Suaesi Tuimaunei (6-2, 185) intend to continue with visits to other schools.
"I'd say they were impressed with Oregon State, but I'm not sure if they've decided to go there yet," Krebs said.
This weekend, the Unga twins will visit Utah, their home state. Tuimaunei will visit San Jose State. All three are All-State first-team selections.
Kahuku defensive end Micah Wily (6-0, 226) will also visit Utah. Also this weekend, defensive end B.J. Beatty (6-2, 215) will visit Boise State. He has already given Colorado a soft commit.