Wednesday, February 6, 2002
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Kahuku’s Pula Kahuku running back Mulivai Pula made a verbal commitment last night to attend Brigham Young University on a football scholarship, Pula told the Star-Bulletin.
chooses BYU
The highly touted running back
makes his decision on the
eve of letter-of-intent dayBy Jason Kaneshiro and Dave Reardon
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com
dreardon@starbulletin.comPula, who had narrowed his choices to Hawaii and BYU, was expected to sign a letter of intent to the Cougars today, the first day high school players can make binding agreements with colleges.
"My family told me to do what I thought best," he said. "I prayed on it and fasted, and BYU was my choice."
Pula, the Star-Bulletin's No. 3 prospect in Hawaii, was the top running back in the state, having rushed for 1,496 yards and 25 touchdowns last season as Kahuku successfully defended its state championship. He is 5-feet-11 and 215 pounds.
Pula said he will enroll as a non-qualifier. BYU rarely enrolls athletes who don't qualify academically right away, sending them to junior colleges instead.
Neither does Hawaii, but Pula is so talented both schools were willing to make an exception.
Pula, who is of the Mormon faith, said he will go on a religious mission, but not until after one year of college at BYU.
"He's one of the best to ever come out of Kahuku," Red Raiders coach Siuaki Livai said. "I think some day we will see him play on Sundays."
Many other high school seniors around the state were also set to open the next chapter of their football careers today.
"I think something like that is a credit to those kids for the hard work they put in and the dedication they showed," said Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza, who had three players scheduled to commit to Division I universities. "I'm just happy for them that they can continue their careers at three great schools."
As of last night, 20 local players had made verbal commitments to NCAA Division I universities and at least one more was still assessing his options.
Of those who announced decisions, eight are slated to head to the mainland in the fall.
Headlining the list of those expected to make their decisions official today are three highly regarded defensive linemen.
Kahuku's Jonathan Mapu ended a closely watched recruiting race by committing to Southeastern Conference power Tennessee. Kamehameha's Brandon Ala and Iolani's Donny Mateaki committed to Washington.
The Pac-10 also added Kamehameha offensive lineman Enoka Lucas (Oregon) and St. Louis linebacker Taualai Fonoti (Stanford).
The Hawaii pipeline to the state of Utah also continues to flow. In addition to Pula, Kahuku's Ferron Fonoimoana committed to Brigham Young.
"He's one of the big reasons I chose BYU," Pula said of his cousin Fonoimoana. "We're very close and I have other family there, too."
And Kamehameha offensive lineman Kekoa Vincent is expected to join his brother Hanale as a walk-on with the Cougars.
Utah picked up a commitment from Kailua's Larry So'oalo, while Kahuku's Tuika Tufaga was still considering the Utes' offer yesterday.
Punahou's Todd LaFountaine earned acceptance into two Ivy League schools and eventually picked Harvard over Yale. He will not receive financial aid through football, as Ivy league universities don't offer athletic scholarships.
While the Division I prospects attract the spotlight, other local athletes will continue their careers at small colleges. At least three have picked Dixie College and several more could end up at the Utah school.
While Mapu prepares to enroll at Tennessee (enrollment 25,981) and play in Neyland Stadium, which seats 104,079 fans, Pac-Five defensive back Chad Rayno has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (enrollment 830) in New London, Conn. The Bears complete in NCAA Division III and play in Cadet Memorial Field (capacity 4,500).
As of last night Other Hawaii high school commitments
*walk-on
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Commitment Brandon Ala (2), Kamehameha DE 6-3 210 Washington Ferron Fonoimoana, Kahuku WR 5-8 165 BYU Taualai Fonoti, St. Louis LB 6-1 240 Stanford Kepa Kailio, Kailua DB 5-11 180 Menlo Todd LaFountaine, Punahou QB 6-0 185 Harvard Enoka Lucas (4), Kamehameha OL 6-3 285 Oregon Levi Manutai, Kailua DL 6-2 264 Dixie Jonathan Mapu (1), Kahuku DE 6-3 250 Tennessee Donny Mateaki (6), Iolani DE 6-7 250 Washington Felipo Mokofisi, Kailua DL 6-2 220 Dixie Mulivai Pula (3), Kahuku RB 5-11 215 BYU Chad Rayno, Pac-Five DB 5-8 160 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Kekoa Reyes, Waianae QB/DB 6-1 200 Dixie Larry So'oalo, Kailua OL 6-5 301 Utah Tuika Tufaga, Kahuku DL 6-1 220 Utah Kekoa Vincent, Kamehameha OL 6-2 235 BYU*
UNDECIDED
Jason Ching, Punahou WR/DB 5-10 165 Brown, San Diego, Hawaii Taleki Mailau, Kailua Ath 5-10 190 Western Montana, Dixie