With just 10 days before national letter-of-intent signing, the drama continues to unfold for football players who are still weighing pros and cons.
Sometimes, a little leverage can keep the door of opportunity from closing.
After all, most local football standouts who wind up at a mainland university daydream about life back in the islands. That’s why the mere mention of a home visit and an official visit to the UH campus by any top prospect — especially a game-changer who was off the Warriors’ radar in previous years — is a positive.
"All options are open," Hawaii Prep lineman Shane Brostek told the Star-Advertiser’s Dave Reardon on Friday.
Four UH coaches made a home visit to the Brostek residence in Waimea (Hawaii island) earlier in the week.
"It was cool. They seem like they really want to get Hawaii players to play for UH," the all-state selection said.
Brostek wasn’t just among the best. He was voted No. 1 by coaches and media when all-state voting time came.
The front-runner in the Brostek sweepstakes isn’t clear yet. His dad, Bern, was a standout at ‘Iolani and Washington before a pro career with the then-Los Angeles Rams. Players under his tutelage at HPA, where he’s an offensive line coach, have gone to UW, but one (Max Unger) headed to rival Oregon.
Though the Ducks have that appeal of an elite program, neither UO fans nor UW fanatics can be happy with Brostek’s decision to visit Manoa. It’s not as if the Pac-12 doesn’t sweep through the islands and leave with enough talent. Among the oral commits, i.e. exports-to-be: Kealakehe running back Psalm Wooching and Punahou running back Steven Lakalaka to UCLA; Kamehameha defensive end Kory Rasmussen to Colorado; Punahou defensive end DeForest Buckner to Oregon; Saint Louis defensive end Kalei Auelua to Washington.
There are many more heading to the D-I ranks, including UH’s local harvest. The depth of island talent, though, extends beyond the glitzy world of BCS conferences. The number of junior college players continues to swell. It was the route Tevita Finau took, from high school (Kahuku) to Phoenix Community College to West Virginia.
Even a program with a small senior class sometimes ends up with a few college players down the road. Kalani coach Greg Taguchi believes Keano Kuia and Percy Harris will go to jucos. Kuia played wide receiver and cornerback for the Falcons, and also plays for the basketball squad. Harris, at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, played linebacker.
"The main thing is that they go to college and get a degree," Taguchi said. "You’ve been doing something your whole life, so if you go to college, even if it’s a D-III school, give it a try."
Taguchi noted that former Falcons lineman Sam Tupou just completed his first season at Mt. San Antonio Community College.
Meanwhile, Taguchi is already looking forward to spring football and summer training. Coaching legend Cal Lee will be the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator, joining his brother, Ron, who was the OC last year.
"I’m just excited. I get to learn from the top two high school coaches in Hawaii," Taguchi said. "There’s great knowledge on both sides of the ball. Cal has great wisdom with the X’s and O’s, but it’s how he treats players and motivates them. They’re very similar, him and Ron, with the people side of coaching."
Another senior with potential at the next level is heading to Pasadena City College. Pearl City linebacker Chayse Tagalog plans to be there this fall.
"He’s going to do well," former Chargers coach Kai Kamaka said. "He’s got the work ethic and the will."
Tagalog’s speed might lead to a position switch to outside linebacker or tight end.
"He’s always had good hands and speed," Kamaka said.
The Pasadena roster had three island players last fall: linebacker Kevin Cramer (Kapaa) and offensive linemen Nick Miller (Saint Louis) and Tesi Fisilau (Kailua).
Meanwhile, activity on the North Shore has picked up as recruiting season hits a peak. Hawaii is taking a closer look at cornerback Evan Ramirez (5-11, 163), an All-State first-team selection, and safety Mason Kualii-Moe. As of late, neither had serious interest from Division I schools despite being among the top defenders on a team that won the state championship.
Kualii-Moe (5-11, 190) was one of the top receivers in the islands as a junior at Kaimuki. After transferring to Kahuku and learning defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola’s intricate system, Kualii-Moe became an integral part of coverage as a hybrid rover type.
Coach Reggie Torres also noted that four schools were on campus during the week to touch base with running back Aofaga Wily (6-1, 195), safety Kawehena Johnson (5-9, 160) and right tackle John Wa‘a (6-3, 279). All three were all-state first-team selections last fall as juniors.
