Kapolei’s All-State DL Faumui commits to UH

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DENNIS ODA / DEC. 12

Kapolei’s All-State defensive tackle Aaron Faumui picked UH because of its “family” atmosphere.

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One of the state’s top defensive players — Aaron Faumui of Kapolei High — has accepted a scholarship from the University of Hawaii football team.

Faumui received offers from several Power-5 schools, including Virginia, Florida and Oregon. But he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he chose the Rainbow Warriors because of their “family” atmosphere.

Faumui plans to sign with the Warriors on Feb. 7, the first day of the NCAA’s spring-semester signing period for football prospects.

Faumui drew interest when he played well during the All-Poly Camp in Utah in June. “No one flashed a quicker first step among the defensive linemen than Faumui, who showed versatility by filling various spots along the front,” according to a Scout.com report on the camp.

This past season, Faumui was used on both sides of the line. On offense, he played tackle, guard and center. He amassed 22 pancake blocks, according to Kapolei head coach Darren Hernandez. On defense, he was at tackle and end, where he made 20 tackles for loss, including 14 sacks.

“I would compare him favorably to some of the best guys we’ve had,” Hernandez said. A recent list includes Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, who is at Notre Dame, and Kalani Vakameilalo, who plays at Oregon State.

Faumui is 6 feet 3 and 280 pounds. He was named to the Star-Advertiser’s 2017 All-State first team.

“He plays with a nasty streak and has a good motor,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said Faumui is projected to play defensive tackle (3 technique) for the Warriors. “That’s my primary spot,” Faumui said.

Hernandez said Faumui is an academic qualifier who should be eligible to play for the Warriors this coming season.

Faumui said he grew up cheering for the Warriors. His uncle is Taase Faumui, a former Farrington High and UH defensive end who played in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. The elder Faumui, who has provided football tips to his nephew through the years, was a starter on the UH football team that defeated Illinois in the 1992 Holiday Bowl. That team recently was inducted into UH’s Circle of Honor.