In a big day for the Hawaii football defense, the Warriors received commitments from:

» Linebacker/tight end Rashaan Falemalu of Kahuku High.
» Defensive end Charles Tuaau, a Leilehua High graduate now at Riverside College.
» Defensive tackle Mike Andrade of Konawaena High.

Falemalu and Tuaau made oral commitments to join the Warriors in 2013. Andrade signed a scholarship agreement to play for the Warriors this year.

Falemalu, who is 6 feet 2 and 210 pounds, is the younger brother of UH defensive end Paipai Falemalu.

“Right now, he’s a smaller version of Paipai, but he’s growing,” Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. “He’s going to be big.”

Torres said Falemalu’s quickness, agility and strength allowed him to play on offense and defense.

“He has really good hands,” Torres said. “That’s why we used him at tight end.”

Torres said Falemalu doubled as the weakside linebacker.

“He’s good breaking off the edge,” Torres said. “Hawaii is getting a good one.”

Tuaau signed with the Warriors in February 2010, but did not meet the requirements to play as an NCAA freshman.

Tuaau had 17 backfield tackles, including five sacks, as a freshman at Pasadena City College in 2010. He redshirted in 2011, then transferred to Riverside College.

Tuaau has received offers from Southern California, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA. But Tuaau said he is intent on “coming home.”

Tuaau said his plan is to play for Riverside this coming season, complete work on an associate’s degree in December, then “strap it up for Hawaii.”

Tuaau said he grew as a Warriors fan.

“Ever since I went to junior college,” he said, “all I’ve been thinking about is coming home to play. There have been so many people who have helped me. I want to play for them.”

Tuaau said point recruiter Tony Tuioti has been in constant contact since his junior year at Leilehua.

Tuaau is 6-4 and 255 pounds. He is capable of bench-pressing 405 pounds.

Tuaau is an avid hunter. In his last visit to Hawaii, he and his friends went bow hunting. They caught three pigs.

“We hunt from night until the next day,” Tuaau said. “We hunt, throw ’em in the bags, and we’re out.”

Andrade was named to the Star-Advertiser’s 2011 All-State second team.

In late February, he decided to commit to the Warriors. In processing his letter of intent, it was determined he still needed to meet certain requirements.

“I wasn’t sure about all of the rules,” Andrade said. “I got a tutor, and I started studying 2 hours every day. I got better with what I needed. It helped out in school. I’m glad I did it.”

Andrade missed the April 1 deadline to sign a National Letter of Intent. During breakfast last Saturday, he signed a scholarship agreement, which binds the school to reserve a scholarship.

“I’m real excited,” Andrade said. “I can’t wait to start playing.”

Andrade is 6-1 and 280 pounds. He said he has not “maxed out” in the bench press, but he can do three reps of 365 pounds.

“Two years ago, I came out to (UH’s) Big Man’s Camp,” Andrade said. “I’ve always wanted to play for Hawaii.”

After Saturday’s practice, the Warriors gathered at midfield. To rousing cheers, Andrade was introduced as the newest Warrior.