Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, December 13, 2024 77° Today's Paper


Safety joins Rainbow Warriors

The University of Hawaii football team finalized its 2017 recruiting class with a signed commitment from a safety from the Last Frontier.

Justice Augafa, who was born and raised in Alaska and played the past two seasons at Los Angeles Harbor College, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he accepted a scholarship offer from the Rainbow Warriors. Augafa will join the Warriors for training camp, which begins on July 26. He will have three years to play two UH seasons.

“Being a Polynesian from Alaska, I just thought it was the place for me,” said Augafa, who is of Samoan ancestry. “It was a better environment for me.”

Augafa is 5 feet 11, 205 pounds, and capable of running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.

As a South Anchorage High senior in 2014, Augafa was name Alaska’s offensive player of the year as a running back. He also was named to the all-state first team as a safety. That year, he rushed for 1,360 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also scored five touchdowns on returns — three on punts, two on kickoffs.

He was used primarily as a safety at L.A. Harbor.

San Diego State, Washington State and TCU recruited Augafa. But Augafa said he chose UH after last week’s two-day visit to Hawaii.

“It was a better environment for me,” Augafa said. “The coaches are excellent. The players have a good chemistry. I thought it was a good place to pick.”

Augafa is expected to compete at safety and on special teams.

Augafa said he has relatives in Hawaii. His hobbies include longboarding and playing the ukulele. He also said he plays “a little bit of guitar.”

Augafa is joining coach Nick Rolovich’s second UH recruiting class. The Warriors welcomed 13 freshmen this past weekend for the start of the bridge program, the two-course session that leads to the opening of training camp.

Correction: UH’s training camp opens on July 26. An earlier version of this story had an incorrect date.
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