Castle linebacker Soares
set to become a Warrior

Former Hawaii football standout David Maeva was all smiles at Saturday's UH basketball game, and not just because the Rainbow Warriors beat Tulsa on the hardcourt.

Maeva had just bumped into Castle all-state linebacker Blaze Soares, who was on his Manoa recruiting visit.

"I'll let him tell you," Maeva said when asked if Soares was headed to UH for a longer visit of four or five years. "But I'll give you a hint: I'm happy about it."

Soares didn't disclose much about what he told Maeva on Saturday, other than he was enjoying attending his first UH basketball game. But yesterday he confirmed that his leaning toward the Warriors is now an oral commitment, which he intends to put into writing Wednesday, letter of intent day.

"It wasn't really that hard to decide," said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Soares, who earlier visited BYU and also had offers from San Diego State and Idaho. "I had the feeling I wanted to be a Warrior, and (UH linebackers) coach Cal Lee convinced me.

"Another reason is I'll have a chance for a lot of playing time early in my career," said Soares, who said he is projected to compete at middle linebacker.

An outside linebacker from Crenshaw, Calif., also decided to join the Warriors yesterday. Solomon Elimimian, the brother of former UH standout cornerback Abraham Elimimian, committed to UH coach June Jones.

"Every school has politics, but at Hawaii I felt more at home and like it was a family environment," Elimimian said.

Elimimian said recruiting host Kenny Patton, a junior cornerback, factored heavily in his decision.

"He was amazing; he was a big factor in me coming to Hawaii," Elimimian said. "He reminds me of my brother. I felt like I knew him all my life and he showed me a great time."

Elimimian was named to the Los Angeles Times' Central City all-region team this past season. He was in on 125 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He is 6-1, 225 and has been timed at under 4.5 in the 40.

Cal, Iowa State and San Jose State were among the schools that recruited him.

Hawaii also secured two other oral commitments yesterday, a source said. They are McClymonds High linebacker/running back Mario Cox (5-11, 220) of Oakland, Calif., and West Los Angeles (Junior) College defensive tackle Siave Seti (6-3, 300) of Long Beach, Calif.

Also, Kapolei offensive lineman Ikaika Aken-Moleta, who earlier orally committed to San Diego State, said he would "probably" sign with UH if a scholarship is offered by the Warriors. Aken-Moleta (6-4, 315) also completed a recruiting visit to Manoa yesterday.

Kicker Danny Kelly from Linfield Christian in Temecula, Calif., also completed his visit yesterday and would also likely accept a scholarship offer.

Late yesterday, UH was still waiting on a decision from at least one offeree, Saint Louis School defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, a prize recruit who was deciding between Hawaii and Cal.