Last year at this time, Brandon Ala was among the most highly recruited high school football players in the state. Hawaii was one of the schools that wanted him badly. Warriors tapping into
family trees
Notebook
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comAla decided to go away to Washington, where the defensive lineman redshirted this past season and big things are expected of him in the future.
He disappointed UH fans, but Ala's father and two older brothers were proud of him for being able to make an important choice for himself -- even though Tui Ala Sr., Tui Ala Jr., and Houston Ala all were or are UH players.
"I was just happy he made a decision that was good for him and I support him," said Houston Ala, a junior defensive lineman for the Warriors. "I'm happy for him. Our whole family is."
Many younger brothers like to strike out on their own, like Brandon Ala did. But UH is hoping that three siblings of current or former Warriors decide to follow their brethren to Manoa on letter-of-intent day in February.
Defensive back Ray Bass, offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera and quarterback Jack Rolovich are on Hawaii's most-wanted list. Their brothers -- sophomore running back Mike Bass, freshman wide receiver Daniel Inferrera and last year's starting quarterback Nick Rolovich -- hope the "little guys" (all three of the high school seniors are bigger physically than their older brothers) follow in their footsteps.
"We're real good friends," Mike Bass said of his relationship with his brother. "I don't think we'd have any problems being on the same team."
If it was up to their mother, Cynthia, Ray would join Mike in Hawaii.
"Seeing them play together as teammates in high school (Centennial in Corona, Calif.), I really enjoyed it. In college, it would be even more enjoyable," Cynthia Bass said. "Raymond hasn't really given me any indication. He's really undecided at this point. But if Hawaii has an edge, Michael's being there is part of the reason. But he's really undecided."
Ray Bass is at Berkeley this weekend, visiting the Cal campus. He visited Colorado last week.
Daniel Inferrera said he and his brother, Jeremy, are "pretty much best friends."
Jeremy said he would love to be teammates with his brother again, as they were at St. Louis School.
"I know UH is a great school, especially for my position. But I want to take my visits (to Oregon and Washington) and see what's out there," Jeremy said. "I've only been to the mainland two or three times in my life, so I don't really know what there is. I think it's important to at least take the visit before deciding."
Their father, Colin Inferrera, likes the idea of his sons both playing for UH, but agrees that Jeremy should see what other schools have to offer.
"I like how they help each other on the field and look forward to seeing that again at the college level," the father said. "But it really is Jeremy's decision to make. I don't want to force him into anything. I don't want to tell him to go to UH and then maybe he doesn't like it."
Jack Rolovich is the only one of the three recruits who plays the same position as his older brother. He would have a tough legacy to follow, since Nick Rolovich became a star for his exploits during the 2001 season.
"He likes a challenge," Nick Rolovich said. "I think it would make it more fun for him that I played here."
From the trail: Utah's new coach, Urban Meyer, was in town this weekend. He offered Kahuku safety Viliami Nauahi, and set up visits for him and Aiea offensive lineman Brandon Rodd. ... McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said Hawaii is recruiting offensive lineman Taase Jennings, but Jennings is short a math credit and will likely end up at a junior college. San Francisco City College looks like the leading candidate and Tanuvasa predicts Jennings will have his pick of colleges in two years. "He's the most explosive guy I've ever seen," Tanuvasa said. ... Farrington offensive lineman Michael Lafaele is about the same size Hawaii's Vince Manuwai was when he was a senior at the same high school. ... Ray Bass canceled a visit to Fresno State. ... Nevada seems to be out of the running for Jeremy Inferrera, who has visits at Washington and Oregon next month. "I haven't heard from them in a while. When they beat BYU, I was thinking that might be a good place to go. But then they came here and got smashed by UH." ... Record-setting quarterback Drew Tate (Baytown, Texas) committed to Texas A&M long ago, but it is considered a "soft" commit, especially with the coaching change there. So Iowa, Hawaii, Houston and Tennessee still have a glimmer of hope.
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