Warriors DE to play in 2 all-star games

Alama-Francis accepts Hula and East-West invites

Ikaika Alama-Francis is attempting a double that is usually advised against. The Hawaii defensive end will play in two college football all-star games.

Alama-Francis yesterday accepted an invitation to the Dell East-West Shrine Game at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Jan. 20. He is also scheduled to play in the Jan. 14 Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Most top pro prospects play in no more than one all-star game. But the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Alama-Francis is a relative newcomer to football (he did not play the sport in high school), so the more scouts can see him, the better.

"More exposure is better for me, the more games I play the better," Alama-Francis said. "I knew the Shrine Game was interested, but I was surprised, because it's kind of last minute. But I'm very happy about it."

Alama-Francis is No. 23 on NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper's "big board" of prospects. (Underclassmen declaring for the draft have not been added in for consideration yet.)

"That's an amazing thing, Mel Kiper's a big-time guy. It's very shocking to me," Alama-Francis said. "I know I have a lot more work ahead of me. I have to listen to all the advice and work hard."

Several scouts have said the former basketball player from Kalaheo High School is likely to be picked by the end of the second round of the draft.

Shrine Game officials identified him as a player they were interested in two weeks ago. When Missouri defensive end Brian Smith had to pull out because of an injury, it cleared the way for Alama-Francis.

"Right now he's in both (games)," said John Murphy, a board member of the East-West Shrine Game. "He might get some advice otherwise, but right now he's told us he wants to play in both games. We understand that he'd like to play in front of the home crowd (at the Hula Bowl) once more. That's fine."

Alama-Francis said he will leave Hawaii right after the Hula Bowl to report to the Shrine Game practices.

"I think for Ikaika, it will really help him to be exposed as much as possible to the scouts," UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said. "They'll get to see his work ethic and the kind of quality person he is. That can make a big difference."

UH left tackle Tala Esera is also in the Shrine Game. Center Samson Satele will play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 27.

In addition to Alama-Francis, at least six other UH players are in the Hula Bowl. They are wide receiver Ross Dickerson, right tackle Dane Uperesa, defensive end Melila Purcell, running backs Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia and free safety Leonard Peters.

Other players with Hawaii roots in the Hula Bowl are center Frank Fernandez (Saint Louis/Harvard), wide receiver Caleb Spencer (Kamehameha/Nevada), defensive tackle Abu Ma'afala (Kamehameha/Hawaii/Cal) and offensive lineman Tavo Tupola (Kahuku/Utah).

They will all play for the Kai team, which also includes the Warriors' Rich Miano on its coaching staff.

Miano played in the 1985 Hula Bowl. It was part of the Kaiser High and UH safety's path toward an 11-year NFL career.

"At that time the Hula Bowl was pretty much the all-star game," said Miano, who enjoyed playing in the game with players like Jay Novacek and against others like Doug Flutie and Al Toon. "The reason I signed up for this is I wanted to make sure we get a lot of exposure for our players. I think this is the best senior class in the history of UH, and I want them to get the opportunities they deserve."

Miano said receiver Ian Sample, punter Kurt Milne and defensive lineman Renolds Fruean could still get into the Hula Bowl if late replacements are needed.

Sample is also first in line if a replacement receiver is needed for the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game Feb. 2 in El Paso.