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Tuesday, August 8, 2000
Jones still June Jones predicted last spring that the 30 newcomers due tomorrow comprise the best recruiting class in the school's history.
brimming with
confidence over
new recruits
With 14 local players among
30 newcomers, the University
of Hawaii football coach has
achieved one of his goalsBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinThat's pretty bold talk for the second-year University of Hawaii head football coach. But after managing the single greatest turnaround in NCAA history, his confidence is understandable.
For one, Hawaii signed an unprecedented 14 local athletes, many of whom were recruited by major mainland programs. Iolani School offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa turned down an offer to play at Colorado; Radford High quarterback Matt Manuma verbally committed to California before changing his mind and coming to Hawaii, and defensive lineman Houston Ala of Kamehameha Schools rejected an offer from Arizona.
"Beating out schools like those shows we're already moving in a more positive direction," Jones said. "When I came here, my first goal was to get local recruiting turned around. I believe we started to do that last spring."
Just how many of these 24 scholarship athletes and six walk-ons will have an immediate impact is anyone's guess. Freshman quarterback Timmy Chang of St. Louis School fame will certainly be under a microscope.Not since Crusaders' running back George Ornellas decided to attend UH in 1995 have expectations been so high for a former local prep standout.
Chang is just one of eight quarterbacks Jones will look at over the coming weeks. Fellow freshmen Manuma and Chad Kapanui of Roosevelt High figure to be redshirted, but Jones said yesterday that he will keep the eight quarterback rotation in place all season.
"Obviously, we'll have some guys higher on the depth chart who will see more repetitions once we get closer to our season opener with Portland State," Jones said. "Once we make that decision, we'll stick with it. I know as a quarterback what it's like to have to be constantly looking over your shoulder."
Two of the newcomers under center -- Jared Flint and Nick Rolovich -- already have 15 spring practices under their helmets. But none of the five quarterbacks competing in the spring pulled away from the pack.
Other newcomers having an opportunity to see some playing time this season include San Diego freshman receiver Mark Tate, St. Louis School wideout Gerald Welch and punter Greg Kleidon of Santa Monica (Calif.) Junior College. The only one of the original 25 signees who won't be in tomorrow is cornerback Shaddrick Carter of Northwest Mississippi Junior College. He didn't make it academically.
"We have a couple of more guys we're still waiting to hear about," Jones said. "But we have the two-week grace period, so everyone should be in by tomorrow."
Jones will hold two light practices Friday and Saturday. They won't be organized and won't count toward the allotted fall camp workouts.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
