The First Class

To mark Norm Chow’s first full month as the Hawaii head coach on Wednesday, the assistant football coaches took a much-needed recess to play 4-on-4 basketball.

The game was interrupted when the coaches were notified that College of San Mateo defensive back Ronald Fields had signed his national letter of intent, completing the first phase of the Warriors’ 2012 recruiting class. The Warriors are bringing in three prospects this weekend.

"It always is exciting," Chow said of the first day that recruits may put commitments in writing. "This is the fun time of the year."

There was suspense when the Warriors learned that safety Taylor Taliulu of Kamehameha did a double flip-flop and recommitted to Washington State, and that Washington was making a late push for Fields. The Warriors lost Taliulu, who reportedly did not notify the UH coaches in advance of his reversal, but secured the commitment from Fields.

"You know you have the right guy when it’s Washington (going after a prospect) and not Eastern Washington," Chow said. "It was a matter of hanging on."

Chow said he was "proud to introduce" his first UH recruiting class.

The Warriors have signed commitments from 19 players, including three grayshirts — offensive lineman Ben Clarke, and quarterbacks Justin Alo and Ikaika Woolsey — who originally made oral pledges last year.

The Warriors landed two local players who had initially committed elsewhere (Punahou running back Steven Lakalaka and Kamehameha offensive lineman Kiha Sai), and the state’s defensive player of the year (Kahuku linebacker Benetton "Benny" Fonua).

Quarterback Taylor Graham, who transferred from Ohio State, cornerback Anthony Pierce, and linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams are the sons of former NFL players.

"I was more nervous as a parent than as a recruit," said Antonio Pierce, a former linebacker for the New York Giants. "We love what is going on with Hawaii and Norm Chow. Look at his background and history. He’ll bring a lot of success to Hawaii."

Offensive lineman Mike Milovale of Hartnell College said: "I’m from Samoa. Going to Hawaii feels like going home."