Warriors get ready for recruits

The Hawaii football coaching staff's recruiting blitz over the last three weeks turns into a game of hurry up-and-wait today.

With the phone calls, mainland trips and player visits complete, all that's left is to keep watch on the fax machine as the letters of intent roll in. Today is the first day high school and junior-college prospects can sign a binding national letter of intent.

On one end of the line will be the college coach, such as UH's Greg McMackin, anticipating the arrival of those letters as he finalizes his class of newcomers for next season.

On the other are the high schoolers for whom signing day takes on a graduation-day feel as they plot out their college futures. A group of 48 local prep athletes -- 46 football players and two soccer players -- are slated to participate in a signing ceremony this morning at Ho- nolulu Hale.

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Greg McMackin got a relatively late jump in assembling his first recruiting class as Hawaii head coach.

Judging from the list of those who have pledged to sign with the Warriors, McMackin and the UH staff appear to have made up the stagger in the three weeks since his promotion from defensive coordinator to head coach was made official.

The fax machine will be the most-watched piece of equipment in the UH football office today as recruits begin submitting their signed letters of intent to finalize their commitment to join the Warrior program.

"I'm really excited with how everybody worked together in developing this recruiting class," McMackin said. "The coaches have squeezed a lot into three weeks, but I really feel good about what they've done."

A group of 46 local high school recruits -- some staying home and others headed to the mainland schools ranging from Division I to junior colleges -- were slated to put pen to paper in a ceremony this morning at Honolulu Hale. Saint Louis, Kamehameha, Kahuku and Leilehua were also scheduled to hold signing ceremonies on their campuses as well.

When June Jones bolted for Southern Methodist on Jan. 7, UH officials acknowledged the impact on recruiting as a major factor in selecting a new coach in a timely manner.

McMackin was introduced nine days later and those assistants who remained with him -- Cal and Ron Lee, George Lumpkin and Rich Miano -- jumped on the task of addressing the Warriors' immediate needs following a 12-1 season while building depth for the future. First-year assistants Nick Rolovich, Brian Smith, Dave Aranda and Ikaika Malloe also pitched in once their hirings were finalized.

UH's haul of local high schoolers looks to include several who could bolster the offensive and defensive fronts. The staff also turned to the junior-college route to restock the depth chart at receiver and in the secondary.

First-team All-State defensive tackle Geordon Hanohano of Saint Louis and Kahuku linebackers Paipai Falemalu and Alema Tachibana were among the local standouts to commit to UH.

The Warriors also received a commitment from Kailua graduate Kainoa LaCount, a beefy junior-college offensive lineman.

Of the commitments from mainland players, nine receivers and defensive backs are expected to submit letters to the Warriors during the signing period, which begins today and runs through April 1.

McMackin has been UH's recruiting coordinator since being hired, "but I've had a lot of help," he said.

"We have Hawaii to recruit to and the administration has been so supportive to help us go in a positive direction. I'm really excited about everything and we just have to wait and see who signs (today), but we feel real good about it so far," said McMackin, who can't comment on specific players until the school receives their paperwork.

Several of the state's top players will continue their athletic and academic careers on the mainland.

All-State offensive linemen Solomon Koehler (Castle) and Mykenna Ikehara (Kamehameha) and defensive lineman Aaron Tipoti (Word of Life) pledged to Pac-10 schools in Arizona, Washington and California, respectively.

Although today's signings represent the close of the recruiting process for the student-athletes, it doesn't necessarily signal a chance for the UH coaches to relax.

"Our recruiting for next year starts (today)," McMackin said.