Wednesday, February 6, 2002
Jones happy with Many of the top local high school prospects got away, including a Parade All-American defensive lineman and the state's most explosive offensive player. But June Jones doesn't see that as a negative to this year's Hawaii football recruiting class today, as the letters of intent begin to arrive on the first day that commitments become binding.
class, despite
losing big ones
The Hawaii coach says it could
be the best recruiting class
he's ever put togetherBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"We filled some immediate needs with junior college kids, and if we sign everyone we think we're going to sign among the high school kids, it will be the best class we've had," Jones said of his fourth recruiting class.
It's a familiar refrain, and every coach in America is pumping up his new class today. They must. Besides, when there are so many variables at play, they might as well be optimistic.
Last night the Warriors lost a pitched battle with Brigham Young for Kahuku running back Mulivai Pula, the Star-Bulletin's No. 3 prospect in the state. UH had already landed five of the top 10 prospects, but only one other in the top five: Kailua offensive lineman Samson Satele. The Warriors grabbed six offensive linemen in all; all coming out of high school, they probably won't be able to play for at least one or two years.
On the defensive front, the Warriors needed help right away and got it in the form of junior college transfers, but lost out on Kahuku All-American Jonathan Mapu (Tennessee) and Kamehameha's Brandon Ala (Washington), the state's top two prospects.
The latest of six defensive line recruits is end Hausia Faleofa, who committed yesterday and is known as "The House." Judging from his coach's comments, he falls into the mobile home category.
"He's got a motor," College of the Canyons coach Chuck Lyon said. "He goes full-speed every play.
"He was our best defensive lineman," added Lyon, whose team went 10-1.
Faleofa is a 6-foot-1, 240-pound Kahuku High School graduate. He runs 40 yards in 4.75 seconds and benches 400 pounds. He also had scholarship offers from Western Michigan and Sacramento State.
"They made a good choice," Lyon said. "He competes in the classroom, too."
Two of the Warriors most highly regarded national recruits are cornerback A.J. Martinez and linebacker Chad Kalilimoku.
Martinez was an all-state defensive back at Huntington Beach Edison, one of California's best programs. His stock increased as the recruiting season wore on.
Kalilimoku, a Roosevelt grad, is a JC All-American. He is one of eight junior college transfers in the recruiting class, six of whom went to Hawaii high schools.
Kenny Patton is also making a homecoming, as the cornerback from St. Francis (Calif.) also prepped at Punahou.
Quarterback Jason Whieldon, from Saddleback JC, is already in school and will be ready for spring ball the week of March 11. Freshman Ryan Stickler from California will be in fall camp, and Inoke Funaki of Kahuku will likely take his Morman mission before starting his UH career.
Running back Orlando Wong returns from his mission, and defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga and linebacker Tyrone Brown are expected to be ready to go academically by fall camp.
University of Hawaii commitments
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Kalavi Blanchard (10), Kahuku OL 6-4 290 Marco Chavez, Palomar JC (Calif.) LB 6-3 245 Jeremiah Cockheran, Chaffey JC (Calif.) WR 6-2 180 Ross Dickerson, St. Louis SB 5-11 175 Tala Esera, Kahuku DL 6-3 245 Matt Faga, Fresno CC (Calif.) DT 6-2 320 Hausia Faleofa, College of the Canyons (Calif.) DE 6-1 240 Inoke Funaki (8), Kahuku QB 6-0 180 Chad Kalilimoku, Santa Ana JC (Calif.) LB 6-0 235 Marques Kaonohi, Kailua OL 6-2 250 Kahai LaCount, Kailua OL 6-3 300 Abu Ma'afala (7), Kamehameha DL 6-2 270 A.J. Martinez, Edison (Calif.) CB 6-0 185 Kaipo Patoc (9), Mililani DE/LB 6-2 230 Kenny Patton, St. Francis (Calif.) CB 6-0 175 Mel Purcell, Leone (Am. Samoa) LB 6-5 230 Mesepa Reed, St. Louis OL 6-5 237 Samson Satele (5), Kailua OL 6-4 290 Ryan Stickler, Alta Loma (Calif.) QB 6-3 215 John Siofele, St. Louis DL 6-0 255 Darrell Tautofi, Dixie College (Utah) DL 6-4 270 Dane Uperesa, Punahou OL 6-5 315 John West, Yuba JC (Calif.) Ath 5-10 180 Jason Whieldon, Saddleback JC (Calif.) QB 6-1 190 Numbers in parentheses are top 10 rankings of college prospects from Hawaii high schools as rated by Star-Bulletin writers Jason Kaneshiro and Dave Reardon after consulation with high school and college coaches.
UH Athletics
