Warriors show recruiting reach
The two latest commitments — cornerback Damario Mclean and receiver Ralph Taufa‘asau — showed the Warriors’ persistence and ties in recruiting.
Mclean said the Warriors had maintained consistent contact since the end of his junior year. Taufa‘asau was strongly recommended to the UH coaches through a former Warrior.
Both players also provide flexibility. Mclean, at 6-2, is a tall defender who will get looks at both corner and safety. Taufa‘asau, at 6-4 1/2 and 220 pounds, is projected to compete at tight end. He already has mastered one of the position’s most difficult skills — catching — and his adviser believes he can easily gain 20 pounds without losing quickness through the Warriors’ nutrition program.
Of significance, both players expressed comfort in living in Hawaii. Mclean’s hosts were defensive back Don’Yeh Patterson, who grew up in Carson, and Stan Gaudion, a punter from Australia. Taufa‘asau said he has several relatives living in Hawaii.
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Play ball!
The baseball Warriors open training camp today.
GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!
First?
Good morning, Tom.
Someone asked about a big Australian on campus. No, not this semester. But he’s still committed.
Nice to see that this weekends recruiting visits have begun to pay off, hopefully we get a few commitments from some d-line types.
I hope they work out something before fall so that fans and families of players outside of the islands can have access to watch the Warriors play on game days.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Yes…Baseball Season!…is practices open to public?
Welcome to our new Warriors! Excited to see you on the field.
One day closer to LOI Day!
Got 15 commits now, need 10 more. We still need to get a RB, 1, maybe 2 QBs, pass rushers, DTs, OL, return specialist, kicker, athletes. Anu Solomon is still out there. I like DE/pass rusher Deondre Morgan from what I saw on film. So far, I like the potential of this class.
Sometimes, coaches don’t like to recruit overly big men.
Too tall. Or too fat. etc. etc.
But introduce them to some gymnastics and maybe ballet
and whalah! You got graceful strong giants to plug in.
🙂
#7- Anu Solomon transferring to Baylor last I saw.
DL is the biggest recruiting need by far. Another RB is a must. Another QB and OL makes sense. Best available after that.
Anu transferred to Baylor, pass on 1 year guys. Need DT, DE now.
Welcome to Damario Mclean and Ralph Taufa‘asau!
I have time to update my Mainland & International Tsai-ko blogger list at:
http://stevem.altervista.org/mainintpost.html
If you reside outside of Hawaii or have relocated, please post your city and state here on the blog.
I wonder if Ralph Taufa‘asau is related to Hugh Taufa’asau the former AD at Nanakuli HS?
While need DL (both DT and DE) is a recruiting priority position, OT is the real recruiting need position…..since losing starting RT Hollis, versatile OL Leo Koloamatangi (who could also play both OT positions) and Luke Clements (medical retirement)……with Dejon Allen and Matt Norman the only returning OTs with any playing experience already seniors…….and Kingjames Taylor and Austin Webb with no playing experience the other remaining scholie OTs left.
They’ve been very high on Kingjames. I think Elijah Tupai also could step out there, if needed. But Norman has been groomed for a couple years. Time to step up.
Great news … BUT … I’m still waiting on 2 or 3 DTs (beefy, mean and nasty on the field only7) to sign …
Personal opinion here … if a local kid wants to go away to the mainland for school/football that’s his prerogative …BUT… the MWC is not the conference to be in. My reasoning for this is if you decide to return home in addition to the 1 year NCAA transfer rule, the MWC I believe has a rule that if you transfer from one MWC school to another, you have to sit out a 2nd year. That’s 2 years of eligibility wasted or 1 years if you haven’t used your redshirt year. Something to think about before signing …
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
I like the we have Fred Ulu Perry and a regarded O lineman eligible to play this season. But you can never have enough I guess.
My 2-cents re recruiting. At this stage in the recruiting process, I believe the priorities are OTs, RBs and OLBs. There are only 12 returning O-linemen, of which, 5 will be seniors in the fall. It’s 12 instead of 13 because I also anticipate Eperone Moananu will move from offense to defense. When OG Elijah Tupa’i was unable to play (injury) in the Hawaii Bowl, JR Hensley took his place. When it appeared Hensley might not be ready because of a leg issue, the plan was to have Matt Norman play the RGuard position. So it doesn’t look like Eperone will be part of the O-line rotation in the fall. Most schools try to have at least 16 O-linemen on the roster. So in my view, the Warriors need 3 more O-linemen in addition to Emil Graves and Eneasi Kavapalu.
The inaugural Polynesian Bowl is this week and while there are a number of heralded players going to big name programs, many remain unsigned. The remote possibility that even one kid who got a free trip here and signs with UH would make the new all-star game a success in my opinion.
I presume Coach Rolovich needs is the defensive side of the ball. Most of the new commits are defensive back and safety but hardly any defensive line. Their losing three quarterbacks, two of them moved to another school.
Unfortunately the bulk of local kids will select mainland schools and shun their local State University.
Since UCLA fired Klemm wonder if he would come back to UH.
#20 “RB” … unfortunately we have no openings and I doubt he’d work for what UH can afford.
20…why? What with the NCAA houndogs on his trail.
Naeole has done a great job.
I don’t get it.
#17 – I believe Mr. Tsai wrote that Moananu was redshirting this year, so given that it wouldn’t make sense to burn a year to play in the bowl game.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=41091