Correa’s betrayal pays off with spot in bowl

Kamalei Correa returned home with a couple of challenges awaiting him.

Doing his part to help contain a prolific Oregon State offense was chief among his priorities when he arrived with the Boise State football team. Trying to get his brothers to wear Broncos gear to Aloha Stadium doesn’t figure to be all that easy either.

Correa grew up watching older brothers Laanui and Haku toil on the University of Hawaii’s defensive line. Come Tuesday afternoon, they’ll be in the stands pulling for at least one player sporting blue and orange when Boise State takes on Oregon State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

"They’ve said since I’m on the team and I’m their little brother they’re going to be rooting me on," Kamalei said. "But in their heart, they’re always going to be a Warrior."

Having earned playing time as a true freshman, Kamalei would be the third member of his family to play in a Hawaii Bowl if he gets on the field on Tuesday and hopes to be the first to experience a win.

Laanui had eight tackles, including four for loss, against Tulane in the inaugural Hawaii Bowl in 2002. Haku had three stops and forced a fumble in UH’s loss to Tulsa in the 2010 game.

"It was just a great experience watching them play and now it’s my turn," Correa said. "So I just have to live it up to the fullest and do what I can."

Correa wasn’t expecting to contribute to the Broncos just a year removed from earning All-State honors as a senior at Saint Louis. But he earned a spot in the rotation at the "stud" position on the Boise State front and appeared in all 12 games, ending the regular season with 11 total tackles. He posted his lone sack of the season in the fourth quarter of a win over Nevada on Oct. 19.

"I didn’t even expect to play," Correa said. "I was expecting to redshirt at first and I’m just truly blessed to be able to play as a true freshman. There’s not too many guys who have this opportunity. … I’m just going to do whatever I can and not grumble about what I get, playing time or not."

Correa is listed as a backup to senior Kharyee Marshall on the two-deep and credited the unit’s upperclassmen for helping him adjust to life in Boise on and off the field.

"He has grown, he’s not as hesitant as he used to be," Marshall said. "(Early on) he didn’t want to mess up, and now he’s just playing and that’s what we need from him."

The recruiting blitz started early for Correa when former Hawaii coach Greg McMackin offered him a scholarship before his freshman year at Saint Louis. After a productive career at Saint Louis, he opted to sign with Boise State rather than follow his brothers to Manoa.

"It’s good to start something new and move on in life and set my own path," Correa said.

"Just to take my own path in life to start my own journey and experience life away and just all the hardships you go through. You have to fight through adversity, but I think it’s good to grow as a person."

Correa said he did get some ribbing from his brothers for picking a school they’d traded paint with in conference games, but remain supportive of little brother.

When Boise State’s bowl destination was announced, "the first person I called was Laanui," Correa said. "He’s a big influence in my life and my football. He showed me the ropes and showed me what to do in life.

"I said, ‘Hey we’re coming to Hawaii and he was just so happy and he’s just glad to see me play at home."

Correa will also see some familiar faces across the field during the game. Fellow Saint Louis graduate Alii Robins is a sophomore defensive tackle at Oregon State. He also grew up with freshman receiver Blair Cavanaugh, the son of current OSU and former UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh.

"It’s cool. It’s going to be a little rivalry," Correa said with a smile.