Kahuku’s Livai says
By Pat Bigold
he'll play for Utah
Star-BulletinUtah has received a verbal commitment from a fourth member of Kahuku's Oahu Interscholastic Association championship team.
Offensive lineman Siuaki Livai Jr. said last night he has picked the Utes over Nebraska and Brigham Young. He is the third all-state selection from the Red Raiders to go with the Utes.
Livai returned last night from a recruiting trip to Nebraska.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Livai played right tackle for the Oahu Interscholastic Association champions, who earned a national ranking in USA Today last fall.
Kahuku's loss to St. Louis in Prep Bowl XXVI was the team's only loss of 1998.
Livai squats 600 pounds and bench presses 375.
''His running and pass blocking are both pretty good," said Farrington head coach Skippa Diaz.
''Utah started being interested in me when I won an offensive line MVP award at their summer camp as a sophomore, and they kept in touch with me," said Livai.
''They were very honest with me, they didn't hide anything."
Siuaki Livai Sr., who coached Siuaki Jr. for every one of his three years as Kahuku's head coach, said his son never played his natural position in high school.
''He wanted to play guard in high school but I put him at tackle because we needed him there," said the elder Livai.
''Utah wants him as a guard. He has the power to take people coming straight on."
Red Raiders committing earlier to the Utes were 6-4, 240-pound all-state tight end William Sao, 6-3, 192-pound all-state strong safety Tavo Tupola, and 6-0, 263-pound guard James Tupola.
St. Louis School wide receiver Anthony Arceneaux committed to Utah last month.
Still undecided last night was another Kahuku all-state lineman, 6-4, 300-pound left guard Toniu Fonoti. Fonoti has made visits to Arizona, Nebraska, Kentucky, Colorado and BYU.
He played for El Camino High (Calif.) last season but started his varsity career with Kahuku in 1996.