Saint Louis School linebacker Timo Paepule said yesterday he is leaning toward accepting a football scholarship from Hawaii, but won't make a decision until after he visits Utah this weekend. Linebacker Paepule
says ‘probably UH’
Prospect watch
By Dave Reardon and Nick Abramo
dreardon@starbulletin.com | nabramo@starbulletin.com"Probably UH, but I still want to see what they have at Utah," said Paepule, the Star-Bulletin's No. 10 prospect in the state.
Paepule was among several top local players to visit UH over the weekend. His high school teammate, wide receiver Jason Rivers (No. 2), orally committed to the Warriors on Saturday.
Paepule said Rivers' commitment could be a "little bit" of a factor if he decides on UH. He also said he liked the current Warriors players he got to know on his visit.
"You can see they've got a lot of camaraderie," said Paepule, who was hosted by former Saint Louis linebacker T.J. Moe. "They're all friends, and that's important. You have to trust each other."
Frank to Beavers: Roosevelt's 6-5, 226-pound defensive end Naymon Frank has orally committed to Oregon State, according to Rough Riders coach Lester Parrilla.
Utah is also recruiting Frank and has asked him to take a visit.
"I don't think he'll go," Parrilla said. "I think he's happy with Oregon State."
According to Tharp: Fairview (Denver) quarterback Taylor Tharp said he will take some time to decide whether to accept the Warriors' scholarship offer.
"I really enjoyed it. Getting to talk to Coach (June) Jones was definitely a highlight. I feel like I really connected with him on a football level," said Tharp, who visited Hawaii two weeks ago.
Tharp said he plans to choose from among Hawaii, Boise State, Wyoming and Washington State on Sunday.
"Right now it's Hawaii or Boise State and Hawaii's definitely up there," he said.
They like Mike: Running back Mike Liti said he will make a choice after visiting Utah this weekend. Boise State, Colorado, Hawaii and Utah State are also in the running for the Orange County player of the year.
He said he enjoyed his trip to Hawaii two weeks ago.
"There's a lot to do there and I like the culture," said Liti, whose uncle Esau Liti lives here.
On the trail: Cornerback Desmond Reed (Temple City, Calif.) chose USC last week. Quarterback Eddie Miller and wide receiver B.J. Vickers (both Venice, Calif.) pledged Louisville. UH was a longshot, but in the running for all three. ... Saint Louis offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera (No. 9) rescheduled his UH visit so he could go to Arizona State last week. ... Kailua offensive lineman Xavier Ho'olulu (No. 12) is leaning toward UH, but might visit Western Illinois, according to his brother, Tony. ... Hawaii is high on Aiea offensive lineman Brandon Rodd (No. 6), but Rodd, who just returned from Oregon, says he would need a four-sided coin right now. He also likes Arizona State and San Diego State.
"It's going to be tough. These are four good schools. I'm clueless right now about ranking any above the others."
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The Star-Bulletin's top 20 college football prospects from Hawaii high schools are ranked by Jason Kaneshiro and Dave Reardon after consultation with coaches. Other prospects are listed in alphabetical order. Prospect information is compiled with assistance from coaches and recruiting analysts, including Doris Sullivan of Hawaii Athletic Prep Academy. The lists will be updated until Feb. 5, national letter of intent day, when high school players can first make their commitments binding. Asterisks indicate a player has been offered a scholarship by that college. Dates in parentheses are visit weekends. Prospect watch
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMITMENTS
Name Pos School Ht. Wt. Note Michael Lafaele OL Farrington 6-1 275 Mold of Vince Manuwai George Perry CB Kahuku 5-11 165 Outstanding cover guy Jason Rivers WR St. Louis 6-2 193 Could start right away Jack Rolovich QB San Marin (Novato, Calif.) 6-3 210 19 TD passes
Hawaii's top prospects
No. Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Colleges 1. Tolifili Liufau DE St. Louis 6-3 310 Canyons, San Francisco CC, Pasadena CC, Hawaii (last week) 2. Jason Rivers WR St. Louis 6-2 193 Committed to HAWAII on Jan. 18 3. Viliami Nauahi DB Kahuku 6-2 200 BYU* (last week), Hawaii*, Penn St. (Jan. 31), Utah* (Jan. 10) 4. R.J. Willing OL Kamehameha 6-5 300 BYU* (last weekend), Hawaii (Jan. 31), Ore.* (Dec. 13), Utah* (Jan. 24), Wash.* (Jan. 10) 5. Pat So'oalo OL Kailua 6-6 285 Dixie, Hawaii* (Jan. 31), Ore., Utah, Wash. St. 6. Brandon Rodd OL Aiea 6-5 275 Ariz. St.* (Jan. 24), Hawaii* (Dec. 6), Ore.* (this week), San Diego St. (Jan. 3) 7. Wilson Afoa DL St. Louis 6-3 260 Hawaii* (Jan. 24), Wash.* (Jan. 10), Wash. St.* (Dec. 13) 8. Michael Lafaele OL Farrington 6-1 275 Committed to HAWAII on Jan. 8 9. Jeremy Inferrera OL St. Louis 6-3 270 Ariz. St.* (last week), Hawaii* (Jan. 24) 10. Timo Paepule LB St. Louis 6-0 210 Hawaii* (last week), Utah (Jan. 24), 11. Quin Ah You DL Kahuku 6-3 310 Hawaii, Utah (last week) 12. Xavier Ho'olulu OL Kailua 6-4 290 Hawaii* (Jan. 31), Utah, Western Illinois 13. George Perry DB Kahuku 5-11 165 Committed to HAWAII on Jan. 8 14. Bobby George QB St. Louis 6-0 185 Hawaii, Utah, Wash. 15. Frank Fernandez OL St. Louis 6-2 275 Brown, Yale 16. Joseph Napeahi OL Kahuku 6-3 320 17. Taase Jennings OL McKinley 6-3 345 San Francisco CC 18. Tu Tui DB Kahuku 6-1 195 Hawaii (last week), Wash. 19. David Alisa LB Kahuku 6-1 230 Hawaii 20. Blake Wong DB Iolani 6-1 190 Nevada, Utah
Other prospects from Hawaii
Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Colleges Ikaika Asinsin RB Nanakuli 6-1 245 Dixie, Nevada Aliikea Basham WR Campbell 6-2 180 Eastern Washington, Hawaii, Menlo Shane Butcher WR St. Louis 5-10 165 Menlo (baseball and football) Shane Cazimero OL Kamehameha 6-3 305 Portland St., San Diego, San Jose State, UTEP Matt Culver DB Punahou 6-2 190 McShane Dator QB Pac-Five 6-2 205 Eastern Washington, New Hampshire, Portland State, UTEP, Western Illinois, Stan Fisher DB Punahou 6-3 185 Vili Fonokalafi DE Kailua 6-1 240 Dixie Naymon Frank DE Roosevelt 6-5 226 Committed to OREGON STATE Kala Ka'aihue LB Iolani 6-1 228 Hawaii (baseball and football) Reyn Kaupiko OL Kamehameha 6-0 265 Air Force, Navy, Nevada, UTEP Nathan Lever RB Kailua 5-7 175 Humboldt State, Mesa State, South Dakota Tech Mapa Malupo RB Campbell 6-1 210 Menlo, Utah Brandyn McCall DE Pac-Five 6-5 202 Hawaii, Humboldt State, Lincoln Brandon Mitchell OL Pac-Five 6-0 265 Humboldt State Karl Noa DE Kamehameha 6-3 215 Hawaii (Jan. 31) Chris Perreira DL St. Louis 6-2 270 Hawaii (last week), USC Caleb Spencer QB Kamehameha 6-1 170 Canyons, Palomar Tamatoa Swanson OL Kealakehe 6-5 360 Canyons Daniel Tautofi LB Kaimuki 6-2 230 Hawaii, Ore. Gino Venti TE Campbell 6-2 240 Pasadena CC Josh Vierra WR Kamehameha 5-10 160 Drake, Humboldt State, USC Matai Ware OL Aiea 6-3 270 Levi Wyman OL Aiea 6-1 240
Mainland and Samoa players recruited by UH
Player Pos. Town Ht. Wt. Colleges Matt Ah You LB Lone Peak, Utah 5-11 220 Arizona, BYU, Hawaii, Utah (last week) Ray Bass CB Corona, Calif. 5-11 165 Arizona* (Jan. 10), Cal* (Dec. 20), Colo. St.*, (Dec. 13) Hawaii* (Jan. 31), Washington State (Jan. 24) Jesus Gamboa LB Harbor City, Calif. 6-0 225 Colo. St., Hawaii, Fresno St., Wash., San Diego St., Ore. Maikolo (Mike) Liti RB Santa Ana, Calif. 5-11 205 Boise St.*, Colo. St.*, Hawaii* (Jan. 10), Utah, Utah State Armani Purcell LB Pago Pago, 6-5 265 Hawaii, Am. Samoa Jack Rolovich QB San Marin, Calif. 6-3 195 committed to HAWAII on Jan. 11 Joe Sample P/K Garnett, Kan. 6-0 210 Colo. St., Hawaii, Kan., Kan. St., Okla., Devin Stearns WR Gardena, Calif. 6-2 175 Ariz.*, Ariz. St.*, Colo*., Hawaii, UCLA* Eric Stewart DL Santa Cruz, Calif. 6-3 225 Ariz., Hawaii, Mich. St., USC, Wash. Willie Tagoai DB Palomar JC 6-3 206 Hawaii (last week) Drew Tate QB Baytown, Texas 5-11 170 Hawaii, Houston (Jan. 10), Iowa Taylor Tharp QB Denver 6-2 185 Boise St.*, Hawaii* (Jan. 10), Wash. St., Wyoming
UH Athletics
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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ernie Els and Aaron Baddeley chatted on the green yesterday during the final hole of regulation at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Els went on to win on the second playoff hole.
If the door slamming on No. 17 to disrupt Aaron Baddeley's 3-foot putt for par wasn't enough to convince you this hole might be cursed, how about what happened to Ernie Els a few minutes earlier? 17th hole hurts both leaders
By Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.comHe was lining up a long birdie putt that could have given him at least a one-shot lead when it hit Baddeley's marker, knocking it off line and forcing him to settle for a par.
Baddeley had asked earlier if Els wanted him to move the marker after his birdie effort came up three fee shy, but Els told him no. Big mistake for the Big Easy.
"That was just unbelievable," Els said. "I said (to his caddy) 'Ricci (Roberts), I will never do that again.' His marker was at least this far (holding his fingers about 6 inches apart) left from the line I was looking at.
"I pulled it slightly, but it seemed like I led it wrong and he is marking it with a freakin' English pound. This thing is about this big (holding his fingers about an inch apart) and I hit it dead-on. It bounced up and it had a chance of going in.
"I had to laugh at myself because that is just a total amateur mistake, with all due respect to amateurs out there. I will never in my lifetime...I will not do that again. It was going straight toward the hole. I mean I misread it, but my body had kind of pulled it back on line."
He settled for a par, leaving Baddeley to attempt his tricky 3-footer. Just as he was about to take a swipe at it, a door slammed from somewhere off the 17th green, forcing Baddeley to back away.
The 21-year-old Aussie went through his routine again, stabbed at the putt, then pulled it left. It hit left-center of the hole and spun out, leaving Baddeley another 3-footer from another side of the hole for bogey. He knocked that one in, but left the green one shot behind.
Those here for last year's tournament can't forget the cell phone that went off right in the middle of John Cook's backswing. He yelled, "NO!" as his iron shot went right of the green, resulting in a costly bogey. He lost to defending champion Jerry Kelly by one shot.
First hole takes break: After being the most difficult hole the first three rounds, the par-4 488-yard opening hole was only the eighth-most difficult yesterday after surrendering 11 birdies. Prior to the final round, there had been only 14.
The most difficult hole was the par-4 fifth. The 466-yard hole saw only three birdies made yesterday by the 77 golfers touring the Waialae Country Club course. There were 18 bogeys, including one by Baddeley, and three double bogeys for a scoring average of 4.273.
The easiest hole remained the ninth. The par-5, 510-yarder played straight downwind again thanks to the tame Kona breezes. There were three eagles and 57 birdies with only one bogey by Vance Veazey, and a double by Robin Freeman, the only one for the tournament.
The scoring average yesterday was 4.221. It was the easiest hole for the week as well, surrendering 45 eagles and 276 of the 1,487 birdies made this week. The scoring average was 4.200.
By contrast, the first hole remained the most difficult for the week. It yielded only 25 birdies during the 441 scores posted. There were 145 bogeys, nine doubles and seven triples, including the one by second-round leader Retief Goosen, for a scoring average of 4.361.
Goosen never recovered from his mistake and wound up in a tie for 20th, 7-under for the tournament. The scoring average for this year's Sony Open was 69.880.
Japanese connection: On Thursday, there were 10 Japanese golfers in the first full-event field of the PGA Tour season. Half of those survived to play on the weekend.
The leader of the pack was Shigeki Maruyama. He finished at 10-under 270, good enough for a tie for seventh and a paycheck of $130,950. The other Japanese finishers were Yasuharu Imano (T27th, 6-under), Hidemichi Tanaka (T70th, 3-over), Yusaka Miyazato (T72nd, 4-over) and Akio Sadakata (T74, 6-over).
Garcia gets hot: Sergio Garcia birdied or eagled all eight of the par-5s this week, but it had little effect on his final score. The 2001 Mercedes Championships winner finished tied for 33rd at 5-under 275, nine shots off the pace set by Els.
Streak alive: Like Garcia, Charles Howell III never really threatened to win the tournament, but his final-round 68 kept alive his streak of 26 consecutive rounds of par or better, including 18 in 2002. He passed David Toms, who has 24 consecutive rounds of par or better, for the lead.
Charity abounds: The PGA Tour has supported more than 2,000 charities this year. The organization donated $68 million generated by the various tour stops throughout the country.
Since 1938, the tour and its tournaments have raised nearly $700 million for charity.
"Our commitment to charity is one of our greatest strengths and the one that sets us apart from other sports. We like to say that giving back is at the heart of the PGA Tour,'' tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.
Sony Open
