California O-lineman commits to Warriors
Offensive lineman Solo Vaipulu of Centennial High (Corona, Calif.) told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors.
Vaipulu said he is 6 feet 2 1/2 and 300 pounds.
He played all five o-line positions at Centennial but is projected to first compete at guard for the Warriors. He hopes to eventually transition to center.
247Sports rates Vaipulu as the 15th-best center nationally and No. 4 in the West.
Vaipulu and UH running back Miles Reed were classmates at Centennial. Vaipulu also attended a class taught by Mike Bass, a Centennial graduate and former UH running back.
Centennial’s O-line coach is Kunane Burns, a Kamehameha Schools graduate.
* * * * *
Dru Brown announced today on Twitter he is transferring to Oklahoma State.
Brown visited the school this weekend.
Solid! We needed this. Now to solidify a few more before signing day.
Yes!
Going Solo!
Go Warriors!
Fills a definite need. Welcome to Warrior Nation Solo!!
Looking for Solo to be a cornerstone on the OL for years to come. His highlites from the Poly Bowl practices are very impressive. Needless to say he didn’t lose very many one on ones match ups with some big time DL’s.
Welcome Solo! The recruiting news keeps getting better!
Can you help me reach my goal by making a $25 donation to the UH Foundation Fund I created for UH Football recruiting–see below link.
If 2000 fans do this, we will raise $50,000. So far, I got 577 donors ($14,425), so only 1423 more donors to go–each donor spot represents $25.
After donating, text me your name to 415-324-0585 or email your receipt to: tomkitaguchi@yahoo.com so I can add it below (if you don’t mind):
1. Tom Kitaguchi, CA
2. Joel Gushikuma, VA
3. Michelle Houlihan (mom of Ben Scruton #36), Australia
4. Timothy Ho, CA
5. Jeffrey Domdoma, HI
6. Toni & Chris Martines, HI
7. D. Ng
8. Tom Mui, HI
9. Glenn Okada, HI
10. J Sakai
11. W Stallworth
12. Daniel Ng, CA
13. Dean Shimabukuro, CA
14. Dave Mutter, IL
15. Aaron Avilla, HI
16. Tammy Hadden (mom of former K Tyler Hadden), CA
17. E Hananoki
18. Scott Isara, CA
19. C Kobashigawa
20. J Nanya, CA
21. Daniel Ng
22. Glenn Okada, HI
23. Mike Perry (brother of Fred Ulu-Perry’s grandpa), NV
24. D Rutt
25. E Scott, ID
26. Keith Sherman, PA
27. E Stallworth
28. H Takahashi
29. E Stalwart
30. Rick Santana, HI
31. Glen Iwamoto
32. Graham McConnell, NY
33. C Kuniyuki, HI
34. Gerald Ushijima, HI
35. Barbara Heiking, HI
36. Curtis Sano, VA
37. M Yuen, HI
38. Al Kimura, HI
39. Dave Mutter
40. Andrew Uffman, CA
41. Wayne Miyasato
42. Garret Okamoto, CA
43. Neal Morisato, HI
44. Stevie Kiyosaki, HI
45. Carey Adachi, CA
46. Brian Koji, CA
47-50. Harold Imai $100
51. Jeff Duva, first QB for Dick Tomey 1977-78, CA
52. David Kam
53. J Aniya
54-57. William & Ramona Stutzmann $100
58. Greg Cummins, first punter for Dick Tomey 1977-78, CA
59. Wayne Coito, HI
60-64. Tom Kitaguchi $125
65-66. Timothy Ho $50, CA
67-70. Daniel Ng $100
71-74. Dave Mutter $100, former OL in 1970’s & biggest supporter of former players
75-76. Rick Santana $50
77-80. Gil Horita, HI
81-96. anonymous
97-98. Chad Sanborn $50, HI
99-102. Tom Kitaguchi $100
103-104. Herb Ho $50, HI
105. Gary Tokumori, CA
106-107. Leburta Kanno $50, HI
108-109. Milton Gibo $50, CA
110. Tyler Siu
111. Ipu Man
112. Lesley Torres, HI
113-114. Ross Shiraki $50, UHM ’80, CA
115-119. Tom Kitaguchi $125
120-121. Scott Simon
122. Roger Simon
123. Jarin Simon
124-127. Gerald Ushijima $100
128. Eric Saruwatari
129. John Amaki, CA
130-134. Glen Morisato $100, CA
135-136. anonymous
137. Lee & Tricia Afusia, parents of Kody Afusia (former OL), CA
138. Gregg Isara, CA
139. Grant Tanimoto, HI
140. Roger Ikeda, CA
141. David Oride, HI
142-151. Rick Nakashima $250, HI
152-191. $1000 from Water Controls Inc. of Maui, who challenges other companies to do the same!
192. Desmond Ogata, HI
193. Carol E. Ogata, HI
194. Gwen Martin, HI
195-204. Pat Rogers $250
205-208. Rich Yamane $100
209-210. Rick Ikemoto $50
211. Garret Yamanaka, HI
212-237. Tom Kitaguchi $650
237-240. Ed Tamura $100, HI
241. W Figueira, HI
242. Shilene Matautia (mom of our star LB Solomon #27), HI
243-244. C. Y., WA
245. Ed McIntosh, HI
246. Bob Medeiros
247-250. Tom Kitaguchi
251. Kelly Toguchi, HI
252-254. Joey Gushikuma $100, VA
255. Fuchsia Yamashiro (UNLV tailgate head) $25 ongoing monthly, NV
256-275. Carey Adachi $500, CA
276-279. Mike Higa $100
280. G. Miyashiro, HI
281. Jason Shimizu, HI
282. Ken Araki, CA
283-284. Carl Nagami
285. Stephen Miller, AZ
286-289. Allen Kamemoto $100, HI
290. Matt & Ioke Wong, HI
291-292. Tim Chang, CA
293. Brian Perry (Fred Ulu-Perry’s grandpa), HI
294-295. Keone Chin, HI
296. Lance McGee, WA
297. Eddie Kim, CA
298-302. Lori Rolovich (yes, Rolo’s mom), CA
303. Matt Mitchell, HI
304. Clyde Matsusaka, HI
305-525. Previous Warrior Nation Fund donors
526-527. Dave & Linda Olney, CA
528. Mirio Whitley, HI
529-532. anonymous, CA
533. Fuchsia Yamashiro, NV (ongoing monthly donation)
534. Wanda Kitaguchi, HI (ongoing monthly donation)
535. The Punchbowl Kid
536. James Watari, HI
537. Daryl Williams, CA (former UH LB)
538. Randy Tobita, Lahaina, HI
539. Wayne Coito, HI
540. Louise Ferreira, HI
541. Yvette Paz, HI
542. Pauline Iwamoto, HI
543. Noreen Myman, CA
544. Stephen & Karen Maddox, NV
545-548. Lance & Eileen Ohara, CA
549-550. Mark Banker, UH football asst. coach
551-552. Corey Batoon, UH football asst. coach
553-554. Mark Weber, UH football asst. coach
555-556. Ricky Logo, UH football asst. coach
557-558. Andre Allen, UH football asst. coach
559-560. Brian Smith, UH football asst. coach
561-562. Craig Stutzman, UH football asst. coach
563-564. Mayur Chaudhari, UH football asst. coach
565-566. Abe Eliminian, UH football asst. coach
567-568. Jacob Yoro, UH football asst. coach
569. Howard Hanzawa, Maui
570. Tony Tony, CA
571. Richard Yuen, CA
572-575. What’s Up, TX
576-577. Placido Valenciano, Kauai
Mahalo, and pls share this with all of your fellow fans.
Tom Kitaguchi, founder of Hawaii Football Warrior Nation Facebook group (over 3050 members)
https://www.uhfoundation.org/impact/students/warrior-nation
Nice.
I think he could become as good as Satele and Manuwai. But I know Satele was a tackle in college but center in the NFL. He can go both guard or center at UH and I believe he can excel. Good low body strength and excellent punch.
Nice catch. Welcome to the Warriors. As for recruiting, I don’t think there are a few more. By my count, that’s 25 recruits.
Hawai’i 2018 Recruit Class
Signees/Commits(24)
*Preferred Walk-Ons(4)
QB(1)
Chevan Cordeiro 6-1 180
Jeremy Moussa 6-3 205
*Max Nall 6-1 180
RB(1)
*Kahale Huddleston
WR(3)
Cedric Byrd 5-9 170
Eric Rooks 6-3 230
Nick Mardner 6-5 190
Jonah Panoke 6-2 185
*Rob Funkhauser 5-10 160
TE(1)
Jonah Laulu 6-5 245
OL(5)
Kohl Levao 6-5 320
Gene Pryor 6-3 312
Solo Vaipulu 6-2 280
Kamuela Borden 6-4 235
IIm Manning 6-4 250
Thomas Wade 6-6 245
DT(2)
Blessman Ta’ala 6-1 285
Aaron Faumui 6-3 285
*Foi Sila 6-0 295
DE(2)
Mason Mataafa 6-5 235
Jeffery Keene 6-4 230
Derek Thomas 6-3 225
Zach Ritner 6-3 240
Jonah Welch 6-2 225
LB(3)
Khoury Bethley 5-11 195
DB (4)
Kai Kaneshiro 6-2 190
Manase Time 6-0 205
Jovan McConico 6-0 185
Looks like 24 so far, unless one of them gray shirts. Look like we may need another LB or corner. Wouldn’t mind another defensive tackle. Can never have enough bigs.
#9. Apparently Ryan Meskell, our Australian kicker, accounts for the 25th recruit. A wouldn’t be surprised if 2-3 recruits grayshirt allowing a couple more to sign now.
McConico not coming
I guess 900 miles is closer to home…incase your wondering the distance between California and Oklahoma 1501 mi distance between Hawai’i and Cali 2467 mi
#10 – Agreed.
I don’t think Jovan McConico is joining UH.
Dru brown to ok state is jaw dropping? Did they watch the game tape last year? Before he announced his transfer I thought Rolo would open the QB competition up.
Kifi, I believe you can scratch McConico from that list. Reports are that his isn’t signing.
#13 – Thanks for that info ST.
Good for Brown. Wish him the best. Looking at what OSU has returning, he’s going to have a good chance to start. That’ll be interesting to follow.
I think if Mermea decides to stay then we can go after a cornerback. If he leaves then we go after another defensive lineman.
This class looks like fills a lot of needs, and with the new coaches and a change in schemes, I think the team will be more entertaining to watch.
Watching the film on some of these guys was enjoyable. Anyone else catch some of those blocks Time made?
Re Brown, hopefully he makes the most of his new situation. We had players come through the program that never saw meaningful playing time at qb, but they were more talented than Brown. Steele Jantz was one, and David Graves was another. You could put Chad Kapanui too. Steele proved is talent at Iowa State, and Chad made his mark in the arena league.
Hope ST brings us more exciting news down the final stretch this week.
Good luck to Dru Brown. OSU has 6 returning QB’s. One is 6’7, another is 6’6 and the rest are 6’4. He beat out all the tall QB’s UH had the last 2 years too.
So much for Drew wanting to be closer to home. Good luck to him.
Solo is a baller
Another nice commit with Vaipulu! And maybe now we can all close the books on Dru Brown. Thanks for being a Warrior. Good Luck to him! Now let’s move on….
Where is the receiver from St. Louis who just killed Mililani, going to school. He has the breakaway speed the UH lacked at least in the past 2 season. Is he a non-qualifier? Just curious.
Papajoe I think you’re talking about Mitchell Quinn. I don’t have any info but reading the message boards it seems like he’s interested in running track in college and UH does not field a team.
What are chances in getting Alexandre Dumais? If we can land him for our DL would be good for years to come. I think he visited UH….
I guess I don’t need to feel bad for Dru Brown anymore. Why do people feel the need to be fake? If you wanted to leave for a chance to play at another school or for a better opportunity, then say so. Spare me the “this decision has nothing to do with football. I want to be closer to home” bs.
Santiago straight up said he wanted to explore football elsewhere. I respect that much more than smoke and mirror bs.
Great get in Hans Solo! Aloha Dru! Now for some run and shoot! Go Warriors!
Welcome new Warrior!!!
Good for Dru Brown. Maybe that offer was the closest possible. It’s closer than here and Oklahoma St. games are probably easier to receive than ours (on TV), Good luck to him, I wouldn’t count him out. He’s a tough kid.
#27 – I’m with you. Santiago is straight up honest. Can’t knock the kid on that. It’s sad when guys give bs stories on why they are leaging. Straight up, you are bailing out on your brothers. So it is what it is. Sad to see him leave but at least he tried UH out. No point he stay if it’s not a fit for him. It just wasn’t for him. But oh well, gotta just move on.
Malakai Salu would be a good get.
Depending on the numbers, another d-line and o-line would be good. Don’t know if there’s a good QB out there, but picking up some experience as insurance wouldn’t hurt.
Morning Tsaikos!
Recruiting class looking good. Good to have players who want to be here.
Brown says he has family in Texas. And i have a feeling Mermea is at a LA JUCO. Think another OL, DL or WR would be a good get.
Reality will suck in next month when our Warrior football team open Spring practice. Canidates for starting positions on both side of the ball will begin to show up. It looks like we will have a different but exciting Warriors for 2018. The return of the RUN AND SHOOT offense will definetely excites former Warrior fans (hopefully they return to Aloha Stadium and support our Warriors during home games).
It would be a very good test when the Naval Academy comes to our turf in our Warrior football opening game at Aloha Stadium.
I am hoping our Warrior Nation Fund for recruiting is helping with all these great new recruits–our fund is currently over $14,425; text me if you want to help 415-324-0585; or email: tomkitaguchi@yahoo.com.
https://www.uhfoundation.org/impact/students/warrior-nation
Hmmmn, as to a Brown, OK State is a rather curious choice. Given his skill set, and he does have skills, I think he will find the BIg12 to be far quicker off the edge and much more dynamic athleticism in the defensive backfield. Not sure if that translates to a lot of success or extend introduction to pine wood on the sidelines. As with most things, we will see…
That said, when Nick Nelson transferred to Wisconsin, I’m sure there were many doubters—as he was a starter going to a major program with many 3 Star DBs. Well, he started the entire year and was a major contributor in their bowl game. However, with nickel and dime packages there were many more opportunities to get on the field—with QB either you are the guy and the remaining guys collect splinters on their okole.
UH has always had talented players as evident by those who’ve transferred out. In the past, Blake Muir and Trevor Davis come to mind – both started at Baylor and Cal, respectively. I think that coaches at Mid major schools have to do a more thorough job of who they offer scholarships to. Don’t know if Brown will play, but some publications are saying the he may provide Mike Gundy the option of redshirting their hotshot freshman QB coming in this fall.
It should be fun for Brown, regardless, playing in a full stadium at Boone Pickens where they averaged over 56,000 per game (sold out). OSU went 10-3 in 2017.
Was Dan Robinson a RNS QB prior to 1999?
Recruiting class is very solid so far. Think there is still room for a couple more with the way scholarship totals are compiled. From what I can tell we still have a few offers out there for OL and DL. Vaipulu is a very good addition. Did not care for some of this transfer stuff but so be it, I’m done with that crap-I don’t look at this as a rebuild but rather a reset. A commitment to a passing offense and much needed talent and depth on Defense. Look for coach Batoon to put speed and physical play into the mix from the get go. Offensively the new additions to the OL I can see a passion and physicality being developed. Very excited about what the spring will uncover. GoWarriors!!!!
New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45379