Tinoisamoa likely Like the tower in Italy of the same name, Pisa is leaning.
to say ‘aloha’
after bowl
Though another year of eligibility
is possible, the UH linebacker says
he will probably head for the NFLBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comHawaii linebacker and team captain Pisa Tinoisamoa said yesterday he will likely forego another season at UH -- if he becomes eligible for one -- and head for the NFL.
If he graduates by the end of summer school, the Warriors' leading tackler could regain his season that was lost to NCAA rules his first year at UH. But even if that remains a possibility after this semester, Tinoisamoa said he is seriously considering going pro following the Dec. 25 ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl.
"What would you do? There's so much money out there," Tinoisamoa said after UH's final home practice yesterday before leaving for Saturday's game at Rice. "(Pro football) is something I've been preparing myself for my whole life. When your dreams are right in front of you, they can disappear just as quick. I would like to take that chance. But we'll see when the end of the season comes around how it goes."
Tinoisamoa, who was making good academic progress, said he isn't sure if he will be able to graduate by the end of the summer and regain the eligibility he lost because of a flap regarding a high-school class required by the NCAA.
"I don't know. I try to remain optimistic with school, but it's been hard. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I do what's best for myself and the team," he said.
Tinoisamoa stressed that although he is leaning toward the pros, he hopes to have a decision to make.
"I do understand it's important to have backup plans and I'm not closing all the doors. I'll try to keep the doors open so at the end of the season I have a choice and it's not something I have to do," he said.
To many of his teammates, it is a foregone conclusion that this is the stretch run for Tinoisamoa.
"We're going to miss him if he leaves," junior safety Hyrum Peters said. "And it seems like he is."
Sophomore cornerback Abraham Elimimian said Tinoisamoa told teammates this was his last season during the Warriors' upset victory at Fresno State last month.
"He's definitely been a blessing to the team," senior wide receiver Justin Colbert said. "He can do it all. He's a smart guy and he definitely adds a dimension to our defense with his speed."
Tinoisamoa, a second-team all-Western Athletic Conference choice last year, leads UH with 75 tackles, including nine for loss. He also has two interceptions, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.
At 6 feet and 210 pounds, he is considered small for linebacker by NFL standards. But because he can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds and is very athletic, it's possible Tinoisamoa could play strong safety in the pros.
Still, being a "'tweener" might hurt his draft prospects -- scouts might perceive him as not big enough for linebacker and not fast enough for the secondary.
Hawaii coach June Jones said he talked with Tinoisamoa about what might happen a few weeks ago.
"It's the same situation," Jones said. "I think he'd like to come back. If he can pass his classes, I think he will."
Whatever the possibilities for the future, Tinoisamoa said he remains focused on playing his best football for UH while he is a Warrior.
"It's all right here. Winning. If we don't win, I'm nothing," he said.
Short yardage: UH freshman defensive back Omega Hogan, a Houston native -- and scout team quarterback for simulating Rice's option -- made the travel squad for Saturday's game. ... The start of the Nov. 30 Hawaii-Alabama game has been changed from 3:05 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. According to the UH ticket office, 1,800 tickets remained for the game yesterday afternoon. ... Former Warrior safety Nate Jackson's heart surgery was changed from today to next Thursday.
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