[ NFL HAWAII ]
Rolo and Lelie Nick Rolovich and Ashley Lelie, who hooked up for 17 Hawaii touchdowns, continue their long-distance connection. But now it's by telephone rather than pass as the NFL Draft approaches.
stay connected
as draft nears
Hawaii's prolific pair will
learn their future soon -- and
hope it includes each otherBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"He called me to wish me luck the other day," said Rolovich, who most recently threw passes to Lelie last month at a workout for pro scouts in Santa Monica, Calif.
It's a 1-in-32 chance at best, but the pair -- who share a birthday a year apart -- hope to reunite at an NFL training camp.
Rolovich and Lelie, who talk by phone three or four times a week, plan to watch the draft at their parents' homes this weekend -- Rolovich in Novato, Calif., and Lelie in Beaufort, S.C. Lelie is expected to be picked in tomorrow's first round, while Rolovich might be selected during the later rounds on Sunday. Nebraska guard Toniu Fonoti, a Kahuku High School alumnus, is a likely first-round pick.
"I'll be right here at home," Rolovich said. "A lot of people want to be here, my immediate family, my girlfriend (Aiea school teacher Analea Donovan) is flying in."
Although a continent apart and immersed in thoughts of their own professional futures, the quarterback and the wide receiver will be thinking of each other, too.
But Rolovich won't be among those calling Lelie as soon as he sees that Lelie is drafted tomorrow. Sometimes you show friendship by giving space.
"I'm not going to bother him right when he gets picked. He'll be swamped," Rolovich said. "Probably later that night or I'll leave a message for him."
Lelie was in Hawaii this week tying up loose ends. The Radford High School graduate left yesterday for South Carolina, where his parents, Rene and Annetta, live.
Fonoti's parents, Emma and Fonoti, are also on their way to the mainland from Hawaii -- they will be with their son in Phoenix, Ariz., when his name is called tomorrow.
Fonoti said he has no idea what team will pick him. He said his feelings will be a mix when the waiting is finally over.
"It will be a little bit of relief that it's done, and excitement to know where I'm going," the Outland Trophy finalist said.
ESPN.com predicts Lelie will go 17th to the Atlanta Falcons and Fonoti will be chosen by the Washington Redskins, who have the 18th pick.
Lelie was at one point considered by many -- including draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. -- to be the best receiver prospect in the draft, until a hamstring injury prevented him from running at the NFL Combine last month. Donte Stallworth's stock is now a little higher than Lelie's, and the Tennessee alumnus has run a faster 40 time than Lelie. ESPN predicts him to go to the Tennessee Titans with the 14th pick.
Lelie said his hamstring is fine now.
"I'm still working out every day," he said. "I have to stay in the best shape possible because wherever I end up, there will be minicamp right after the draft."
Former Campbell High School athlete Cliff Russell, a Utah wide receiver, will probably go in the second or third round. Hawaii guard Manly Kanoa, a Kamehameha graduate, and Utah guard Ed Ta'amu, a former Iolani athlete, are expected to go in the middle to late rounds.
UH defensive backs Rob Grant and Nate Jackson, center Brian Smith and defensive lineman Mike Iosua might get free-agent opportunities.
Rolovich, who said he had "a great workout" for the San Francisco 49ers last week, said it might be better for him to be among the free agents than to be drafted late. "I have no control at this point," he said. "We just have to wait and see."
Wasserman to Cal: Former Penn State quarterback Zac Wasserman, who was considering transferring from a junior college to Hawaii or San Jose State, has chosen neither -- he will enroll instead at Cal.
"He was up there last weekend," said Wasserman's father, Charles. "He visited San Jose State again on Friday and caught a practice there. Then he went to a Cal scrimmage on Saturday. He spoke with coach (Jeff) Tedford before and after practice, and that was it. He loved Hawaii, but Berkeley's closer to home."
