HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Punahou’s Ostrowski dreams of double duty at Manoa
Sure-handed receivers are a precious resource.
That's what makes the possibility of Miah Ostrowski in a Hawaii Warriors uniform enticing to UH fans.
The Punahou standout, voted offensive player of the year by the Star-Bulletin's panel of coaches and media, is the only local wide receiver who has a scholarship offer from the UH.
Ostrowski, who is 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, is a Division I qualifier. He is also a two-time All-State basketball player for Punahou, which is ranked No. 1 in the state. He has scholarship offers in basketball from three schools, the most prominent being Montana State, a member of the Big Sky Conference.
His dream scenario, however, is to play the two sports at UH.
"Coach (June) Jones told me on the phone that they're willing to let me play basketball," Ostrowski said. Jones has always been open to two-sport athletes. Former safety Nate Jackson spent some time late in his Warriors career playing baseball, and current UH slotback Marquez Jackson is on "leave of absence" from football to be on the basketball team.
"If I was going to redshirt in football during my first year, I'd want to suit up for basketball," Ostrowski said.
He's known about UH's interest in part through Ron Lee, the former Kaiser coach who has been the receivers coach at Hawaii since Jones took the helm in 1999. Lee is an uncle of Kyle Whitford, Ostrowski's teammate.
Commits
Hawaii High School Players
» Kalani Aldrich, DE, Kamehameha-Hawaii to Washington
» Bryson Beirne, QB, Pac-Five to Arizona
» Savaii Eselu, TE, Moanalua to Oregon
» Kaneakua Friel, TE, Kamehameha to BYU
» Michael Matamua, OL, Kapolei to San Diego State
» Gary Nagy, DB, Kahuku to BYU
» Sione Tau, OL, Damien to Arizona
UH Commitments
» Vaughn Meatoga, DL, Kamehameha to Hawaii
» Gabe Tuata, RB, Kealakehe to Hawaii
Other UH Commitments
» Ray Hisatake, DT, San Mateo (Calif.) College
» Leon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
» Kevin Konrath, LB, Brother Rice (Chicago)
» Chris Leatigaga, DE, Foothills (Calif.) College
» Francis Maka, OLB, San Mateo (Calif.) College
» Erik Robinson, S, Navarro (Texas) JC
On The Trail: Sierra (Calif.) College DE Josh Leonard (6-3, 285) said he is ready to commit to Hawaii when he visits this weekend. "I have offers from Nevada, Wyoming and Washington, but Hawaii's clearly ahead," he said in a phone interview last night. Leonard's father, Rick, was a college roommate of UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold when they played at Maine. ... After decommitting from Houston, Hoover (Ala.) High School DE Korey Reynolds now lists Hawaii as his No. 1, with his only other offer on the table being from Southern Miss. "I can't really be sure it's the place until I come out and see what it's about. But right now Hawaii looks like the one." Reynolds (6-3, 250) also plays tight end. He was scheduled to play in the Max Emfinger High School All-American Bowl Game in Shreveport, La., last Friday. ... Mount Carmel (Chicago) CB Keith Lewis (5-11, 190) visits Hawaii next week after touring Wyoming late this week. His team lost in the state championship game of Illinois' largest classification. Illinois and Arkansas State are also expressing interest in the full academic qualifier. Lewis said no school has the lead.
Dave Reardon, Star-Bulletin
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Feel the heat: Already a Division I academic qualifier, Waianae defensive end David Paaluhi III was far off the radar of all recruiters before the fall. The three schools that have received his highlight DVD -- Hawaii, Oregon State and Washington -- all offered him scholarships in December. They all want Paaluhi, a relentless pursuer and sure-handed tackler, to play outside linebacker.
"I feel better now. I have more options," Paaluhi said. "I'm supposed to call (UH assistant coach Jeff Reinebold) up when I get back."
Paaluhi is also an elite-level wrestler, but his progress will be impeded by visits to Oregon State and Washington. He visits the Beavers this weekend, and goes to Seattle next week. A visit to UH will be at the end of this month.
He does not intend to make an early or rash decision. "I'm not that worried. I'll make the visits and make my decision from there," Paaluhi said.
With three solid opportunities available, he isn't leaning one way or the other.
"Some of my family members and people I know, they want me to go to UH, but I don't know," he said.
The appeal of playing in the Pac-10 is real for Paaluhi.
"There are better opportunities. The Pac-10 has more coverage and a higher level of football. And the schooling is better," he said.
Hold that door: Opportunities are opening up for Baldwin offensive lineman Kealakai Maiava. The 6-1, 280-pound senior was disappointed a month ago when Boise State changed plans and chose not to make Maiava a scholarship offer.
However, he now has visits lined up for Weber State and Idaho State. After that, Tulane is awaiting.
"San Diego State was excited about him, but the coaches are at Tulane now," explained Maiava's father, Scott Mahoney.
It probably won't end there for Maiava, whose brother Kaluka plays linebacker at USC. The hiring of a new offensive coordinator at Arizona has put a halt to Mike Tuiasosopo's plan, but the longtime assistant coach and recruiter intends to renew the whole process.
The other green people: Tulane, which plays in Conference USA, has also taken a keen interest in Farrington defensive end Sam Fehoko.
The Star-Bulletin All-State first-team defensive end had 10 Division I offers at one time, but several mid-major schools have moved on to other potential recruits.
The 6-2, 220-pound Governor still has offers from Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma, San Diego State and UNLV. Two more schools, Tulane and Arkansas, have initiated communication with Fehoko since he played in the All-American Bowl in Shreveport, La., recently.
Fehoko is a Division I qualifier. His older brother, Whitley, is a freshman offensive lineman at San Diego State.
He plans to visit Arkansas, Tulane and Hawaii, the latter next week, possibly. A visit to Oklahoma is another possibility.
"I'll visit there if there's enough time. I'm not as interested as I used to be," Fehoko admitted. "When I saw the bowl game against Boise, I was disappointed."
The next "Stork": Jacob Barit, with his lanky frame and relentless pursuit between the sidelines, brought to mind old-school linebackers like Ted "Stork" Hendricks of the Oakland Raiders and Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Of course, Barit has a long way to go before he can be compared favorably to those Hall-of-Fame players, but his potential at the next level is being watched closely. Three Mountain West schools -- San Diego State, UNLV and Utah -- have made offers to the 6-2, 215-pound Saint Louis senior.
Tulane is also in the mix. Barit has already visited San Diego State. Tulane could be next.
"He wants to choose his own school, so we leave it up to him," said his father, Lincoln, who also happens to be Waialua's coach.
"Cal Lee has been calling," Lincoln added. The could mean UH, rich with talented young linebackers, would like Barit to possibly grayshirt.