The University of Hawaii football team filled two key goals — bolstering the offensive line and signing more local prospects — in completing its 2018 recruiting class.
The Warriors signed 10 players on Wednesday, the first day of the spring-semester signing period for football prospects. Those binding commitments are added to the 17 players who signed in December.
Although Kapolei High defensive tackle Aaron Faumui changed his mind and signed with Virginia over UH, the Warriors still signed All-State receivers Jonah Panoke of Saint Louis School and Scott McLeod of Saint Francis School to scholarship agreements. Both are expected to enroll at UH as full time students in January 2019. In all, the Warriors signed six Hawaii high school seniors, including All-State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro of Saint Louis. Cordeiro signed in December.
Head coach Nick Rolovich credited assistant coaches Craig Stutzmann and Jacob Yoro with their work in local recruiting. “Our recruiting had not been very effective locally (the previous two years),” Rolovich said. “And those two (coaches), especially, weren’t going to let it happen (again).”
The Warriors signed five offensive linemen on Wednesday and seven overall this class. Dejon Allen, John Wa‘a and Chris Posa completed their UH eligibility at the end of the 2017 season. “The amount of offensive linemen who left the program in the last two years, it hasn’t been a healthy cycle,” Rolovich said.
The Warriors added three junior college offensive linemen on Wednesday. But Rolovich indicated the incoming freshmen also will have a chance to compete for playing time this coming season. “I think we have some extremely talented young linemen,” Rolovich said.
MEET THE RAINBOW WARRIORS RECRUITS
ALEX DALPE
Offensive lineman 6-4, 290
Long Beach City College
Rolovich: “He’s another guy who comes with three years to play. That’s one of the benefits. We identified him early because we realized we needed some more bodies on the offensive line. We went through the process. He doesn’t have a redshirt (year available). He’s a guy who’s going to play for us.”
SCOTT MCLEOD
Wideout
6-3, 225
Saint Francis School
Rolovich declined to comment on grayshirts.
ERNEST MOORE
Offensive tackle
6-8, 305
City College of San Francisco
Rolovich: “Ernest Moore is an incredibly talented athlete. He’s still young to football, but we felt if we can start molding him in the summertime, he has the ability to be an extremely good player because of his measurables and athleticism and his (7-foot) reach.”
JONAH PANOKE
Wideout
6-2, 185
Saint Louis School
Rolovich declined to comment on grayshirts.
GENE PRYOR
Offensive line
6-3, 305
College of the Sequoias
Rolovich: “He gives us offensive tackle experience. I really like his personality. I think he’ll fit in great in Hawaii. He’s a good, kind person. But on the field, football is important to him, and I think he’ll really thrive in our community.”
JUSTUS TAVAI
Defensive tackle
6-3, 290
El Camino College
Rolovich: “I just know what (older brother and UH middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai) means to this football team and how he approaches things. Then you meet Justus and you feel like you’re talking to Jahlani. He’s a guy who’s also four (years) for three (UH seasons). He’s going to help us on the interior d-line, for sure, when he gets here. I know how his values, his approach, his work ethic will be most like Jahlani’s, and that’s a good thing.”
MANASE TIME
Safety
5-11, 205
Golden West College
Rolovich: “Physical, physical DB. The connection to (former Warrior and NFL player) Jesse Sapolu helped us a bunch. … He’ll be three for three. There’s no redshirt option. We feel we added another experienced guy in the backfield. We’re going to have great competition in the backfield with (Jay) Dominique, Kalen Hicks and him. I feel he can help us on special teams, and again, bring that physical play on defense that, I think, Hawaii fans like more than anything else.”
SOLO VAIPULU
Offensive line
6-3, 300
Centennial High (Corona, Calif.)
Rolovich: “We expect Solo to compete for playing time next year. In all honesty, I was surprised he wasn’t recruited harder by some people. We felt like we got a really, really good player. He has family here. He’s probably going to end up being an interior offensive lineman. He’s got great experience at center. He’s a good player, and we’re very fortunate. I think his relationship with (UH running back and former Centennial teammate) Miles Reed really really helped. Miles has enjoyed his time here, and sees the bright future ahead, and I think that had something to do with Solo coming.”
THOMAS WADE
Offensive line
6-7, 250
San Clemente (Calif.) High
Rolovich: “Thomas Wade is a guy, I think, who’s in that developmental stage because he’s got a large frame. With our needs at o-line, we talked to him, and let him know we’re going to have to recruit some JC guys. I think in a few years he could be a major contributor for us at offensive tackle. I think he’s a pretty good athlete. He’s probably growing into his body a little bit.”
MICHAEL WASHINGTON
Cornerback/receiver
6-0, 160
Monrovia (Calif.) High
Rolovich: “Incredible athlete. I loved him from the day we saw his tape in the spring. I think he’s a true cover corner. There’s also talk about him moving to receiver because of his long speed. I think he’ll develop into a really good player. I can see him getting to 10.5 (seconds over 100 meters) this year.”
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Stephen Tsai, Star-Advertiser
