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The University of Washington grabbed three of the Star-Advertiser’s Top 10-ranked college football prospects in the state and Hawaii kept two home today on national letter of intent day.
This was the first day that high school players could sign binding commitments with their colleges.
Despite not taking over at UH until December 21, well after most prospects had already made verbal commitments, new head coach Norm Chow was able to secure Kamehameha offensive lineman Kiha Sai and Punahou running back Steven Lakalaka. Sai originally committed to Utah and Lakalaka made a verbal commitment to UCLA.
"We chose to stay home and try and start something at UH," Sai said after signing his letter of intent at this morning’s Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance annual signing ceremonies at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
It is the best UH has done on the Top 10 list in several years and the Warriors almost held onto Kamehameha defensive back Taylor Taliulu. Taliulu had originally committed to Washington State but said over the weekend he would sign with UH before reconsidering and signing with the Cougars today.
At the table where he signed his letter of intent, Taliulu’s name card had a UH logo on it, but he wore a WSU cap and matching crimson shirt.
Meanwhile, Washington was the big winner, gaining the services of Hawaii Prep offensive lineman Shane Brostek, Kealakehe running back Psalm Wooching and Saint Louis defensive end Kalei Auelua.
Overall, Pac-12 schools bagged eight of the Star-Advertiser’s Top 10.
Star-Advertiser’s Top 10 College Prospects
Rank Player Pos. HS College
1. DeForest Bucker DE Punahou Oregon
2. Luke Kaumatule DE Punahou Stanford
3. Shane Brostek OL Hawaii Prep Washington
4. Kory Rasmussen DT Kamehameha Colorado
5. Keoni Bush-Loo TE Kamehameha Arizona
6. Psalm Wooching RB Kealakehe Washington
7. Kalei Auelua DE Saint Louis Washington
8. Steven Lakalaka RB Punahou UH
9. Kiha Sai OL Kamehameha UH
10. Taylor Taliulu DB Kamehameha Washington State
