In a frenetic sprint to today’s start of the signing period, the University of Hawaii football secured a commitment from a California high school tight end, awaited acceptance on scholarship offers to four prospects and fought to hold onto recruits who had made earlier pledges.
Nick Rolovich’s second recruiting class as UH head coach received a boost with Tuesday’s commitment from tight end Kade Greeley of Vista Murrieta High School.
The Rainbow Warriors closely evaluated more than 1,000 prospects in seeking to construct the 2017 class. If the recruits keep their word, the Warriors will have addressed needs at running back and tight end, in the secondary and on the defensive and offensive lines.
This class is projected to include at least five defensive linemen, highlighted by rush end Jamie Tago, a junior college transfer who began his career as a Warrior.
Tago is one of nine members of the 2017 class already enrolled at UH. Quarterback Cole Brownholtz, punter/holder Stan Gaudion and offensive lineman Chris Posa, an Alabama graduate, were walk-ons who were put on scholarship during the 2016 season. Tago, wideout Marcus Armstrong-Brown, defensive tackle Kalepo Naotala and defensive backs Eugene Ford, Manu Hudson-Rasmussen and Jeremie “Jay” Dominique enrolled in January.
The Warriors also reloaded the offensive line following the graduations of Leo Koloamatangi and RJ Hollis. Micah Vanterpool, Emil Graves and Brandon Kipper said they will sign with the Warriors today.
Greeley offers depth at tight end, with Metuisela ‘Unga and Davasyia Hagger entering their senior year. Greeley is 6 feet 6 and 230 pounds. He also competed in volleyball at Vista Murrieta.
It will be a family reunion of sorts for Greeley, whose older sister, Kalei, is an outside hitter for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team.
On choosing UH, Greeley said: “Why not? I love it out there. My family is out there. My sister is out there. And it’s a perfect fit. I love the beach. I love the area.”
Greeley, who also has four brothers, said he grew up in a competitive household. “It was always interesting,” he said. “Never a dull moment.”
He said his sister is “the most competitive. She doesn’t like to lose.”
The Greeley siblings have names beginning with “K.” He said he was named after Cade McNown, a former UCLA and NFL quarterback.
“They took that name and turned it into a ‘K,’ ” he said.
The Warriors, whose recruiting stretched from American Samoa to Montreal, are not projected to sign any players from Hawaii high schools. But Naotala, whose uncle is former Warrior linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, lived in Hawaii for three years. Hudson-Rasmussen’s first cousin is former UH defensive lineman Kory Rasmussen. Wideout Drake Stallworth is coached by former UH quarterback David Graves. Greeley is part-Hawaiian.
“All my life I wanted to go to (UH),” said cornerback Damario Mclean, who will sign during today’s ceremony at Elk Grove High. “I have family that lived out there. It’s always sparked interest with me.”
