Nose tackle commits to Warriors
Nose tackle Samiuela Akoteu told the Warrior Beat — that’s us — that he is joining the Warriors. Here’s the skinny on a guy who is 6 feet 2 and 320 pounds:
> Background: As a Junipero Serra High (Gardena, Calif.) senior, Akoteu signed a letter of intent with Fresno State in February 2014. He also received offers from Washington State, Utah and Houston. But because of a family situation, he was not on track to meeting the requirements to joining the Bulldogs last summer. He then took — and passed — classes to meet the NCAA requirements, played rugby as part of his cross-training, and worked in construction.
> ETA: Akoteu, who was raised in Inglewood, Calif., arrives in Honolulu today. He begins the bridge program tomorrow. He has five years to play four seasons.
> Fills a need: The Warriors exited spring training with Penitito Faalologo and Kory Rasmussen as the top two nose tackles. Defensive end Kennedy Tulimasealii played there in sub-packages. The addition of Akoteu means the Warriors might not have to move a freshman from the offensive line.
> War-room thinking: The Warriors were seeking a nose tackle who could contribute this season. Akoteu was a two-way player at Junipero Serra High — he was named to MaxPreps’ Division II All-State first team as a guard — but his preference is defense. People in the know are impressed with Akoteu’s, uh, feistiness. He has a nose tackle’s mentality needed for the space-eating position.
> Quote: “In high school, I started both ways, but I always favored defense. I like to be able to hit somebody.”
> Star-Advertiser article: Samiuela Akoteu
First on the blog and first in your hearts.
We’re getting Misty-eyed.
Alohan and welcome to Mr. Akoteu….Can we call you Sam?
Aloha…
ST,
Good to know that……we were referring to the same NT/DT prospect……after all…..
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/warrior-beat/jc-tight-end-to-join-warriors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kJ3ZBUCBk
65 days!!!
ST,
Any other NT/DT prospect in the works?
How about any DE prospects?
At the end of Spring Ball, I’m aware that UH was keeping an eye on a local Class of 2015 HS “under-the-radar” DE prospect……who didn’t see much playing time the past 2 OIA HS seasons……but is still intriguing……..sinc definitely already has FBS size……at least 6’6″ tall……and weighs at least 270 lbs……
Good to see the building of the recruiting connection with perennial CIF-SS contender Serra HS (Gardena, CA.)……but would still also like to see the re-building of the recruiting connection with fellow perennial CIF-SS contender Long Beach Poly HS…..
This ’16 NG/DT prospect would be good start…..
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2650817/highlights/242959376/v2
5 years to play 4 for Sam ?
As posted by others, use this link to get the latest blog each day:
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/category/warrior-beat/?php
Aloha and welcome to Sam Akoteu. Looks like Sam has gotten bigger lifting those bricks working construction with his dad. When recruited by Fresno State last year, Sam was 290 lbs. Now just waiting for all the guys who signed to show up. Any status of who’s here and not.
Kapakahi:
Didn’t you used to live in Gardena?
Powell takes one of our DTs, we take one of his. Sounds even.
There are about three other candidates out there at various positions.
There’s a player from a Big Five school who wants to join, but he has to find a post-graduate major that matches with his credits.
That’s one of the tricky things about transferring. For instance, suppose a student-athlete takes History 150 at a college. We all assume all courses with similar headings are the same, right? Well, not so. When in doubt — and these are tricky compliance times now — then a player has to send a syllabus from that class to show that it matches UH’s standards. Sometimes the player has to hunt down five syllabus, sometimes more.
The other thing is now JC transfers need to have earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. If you sign a guy in February, you’re often not sure if he qualifies until May/June. If the player is below 2.5, then he has to take summer classes. And so forth.
Not sure how everybody was as a kid, but when a parent asked me how I was doing in school, I’d always say, “OK. No problems.”
And then the report comes out and, well, maybe not-so-OK in some subjects.
That’s life.
The tricky part is you have to hold a spot for a recruit until he doesn’t project to make it before going on to the next player.
UH held a scholarship for a recruit who needed an extra year to qualify. The guy is now a starter. UH also held a scholarship for a guy who needed an extra year to qualify and never did qualify.
Good morning everyone!
Welcome Samiuela Akoteu!
ST,
Yup…..after college……back in the early 80’s……just off of 158th Street…….just South of Redondo Beach Blvd……between Western and Normandie Avenues…….just about 1 major intersection South of Serra HS.
Living in Gardena……was the closest thing to living back in Hawaii…..since lots of Hawaii transplants in the area…….with Hawaii sports leagues…….and plenty of local food restaurants……and local food marketplaces nearby (the original Marukai store before they opened in Hawaii……and the old Meiji Market now a Marukai store)……
Enjoyed the time of my young adult life……probably ‘cuz whatever happened in SoCal……stayed in SoCal……
The annual 2-day Ho’olaulea gathering in mid-July held at Alondra Park…..next to El Camino College……is still going strong…..now more than 35 years……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3jIsbIP-M0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm8-NpzzAoM
ST,
Speaking of possible transfer candidates, what’s the latest with Leo’s son…..Colton Goeas?
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/warrior-beat/colton-goeas-to-transfer-to-uh/
Samiuela’s photo…..
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/fres/sports/m-footbl/auto_headshot/9672203.jpeg
Kapakahi:
There are complications and Goeas won’t be enrolling at UH until January.
Is Gardena Bowl still there? i remember as a kid that whenever we were in the area, usually on the typical disney/universal trips, we would stop by there. i always got miso soup and asked for saimin noodles in it. lol off the menu item!!
aloha everyone !! nice to see we got some size !! welcome Samiuela Akoteu to UH !!
ST how much more opening we got for player at the UH football team for this year ?
Anyone know if the Gardena Bowl is still in business and serving up local kine grinds? I heard during the late 80s to mid 90s, many Asian families were moving out of Gardena, to Torrance & neighboring cities, and it was mostly a Hispanic community
ST, is Hayes still complicated?
At 320 pounds, I say let him play DEFENSE which he did and likes.
Put him as a STOPPER in the middle.
Reminds me of Patrick Willis.
Bigwave,
The last that I heard from my South Bay friends was that the Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop was still in business and serving up local kind grinds…..except that the Hawaii family (originally from Kauai or Maui) who operated the coffee shop sold the business to the cooks about 10 years or so ago and opened another restaurant in Torrance…..TNT’s Aloha Café…..with the same menu……
http://pukashell.net/platelunch/county/county.html#la
http://pukashell.net/platelunch/county/list.html
While lots of families have moved out of Gardena…..closer to the coast…..to Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Manhattan Beach, a lot of the restaurants have stayed in Gardena…….since it remains a good lunch designation……on weekdays for businesses located in nearby Dominguez Hills just off the 91 Fwy…….and on weekends for the Hawaii transplants who live in neighboring communities.
With Justin Vele entering his senior season, hopefully UH is taking a good look at Jahlani Tavai’s younger bro….Justus……who also excels in rugby…….as a potential FB prospect…..
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2239679/highlights/95351241/v2
Samiuela’s HS highlight video……
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/784421/highlights/115176377/v2
#8 & #16,
Gotta have plenty of Poly prospects with some kind of Hawaii ties for UH to recruit just in the South Bay/Long Beach region alone of LA County…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3VV95GC6Mk
Meant to add this link too……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oiP45NcwFM
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=31605