Getting No. 1 has big implications
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist
As big as Jonathan Mapu is — and at an imposing 6 feet 3 and 250 pounds he has been a man among boys in high school football — he looms even larger over the local college recruiting scene.
Mapu is ranked No. 1 on The Advertiser's list of college prospects in the state and where the Parade All-American defensive lineman from Kahuku High signs will be huge for the school fortunate enough to secure his signature on a binding national letter of intent.
The Feb. 6 signing hour is but 10 days away, and Mapu's decision is adding considerable drama to the stretch drive.
For not only is Mapu the top prospect, he is one of the few remaining uncommitted blue-chippers. The school that gets him not only lands a talented player, but with what he brings, likely a significant boost in local recruiting.
For the University of Hawai'i, which has historically struggled to hang onto the homegrown marquee players, he would be a breakthrough figure of major significance. He would be a special player and an even greater symbol for a school looking to underline the depth of its impressive turnaround.
For too many years, it is the Mapu-like players, the so-called "franchises," who have gotten away from the Warriors. Bern Brostek (Washington), Olin Kreutz (Washington), Dominic Raiola (Nebraska), Lakei Heimuli (BYU), etc. — you name 'em and they've ended up on other campuses.
That is the one area, as much as anything, that has held back UH from achieving more success and projecting a larger football presence. Imagine a UH lineup in the 1990s with the addition of a couple or more of the following: Jason Ching (Notre Dame), Patrick Kesi (Washington), Itula Mili (BYU), Chris Naeole (Colorado), Viliami Maumau (Colorado), Kreutz and Raiola.
Keep the cream of the local crop home and the Warriors are halfway to getting where they want to go.
Take this year, for example. UH has commitments from 11 of the Top 19 on The Advertiser's list, players likely to supply both immediate and down-the-road help and carry on the turnaround. Based upon early commitments, the Warriors are set to have a good year regardless of what Mapu does. But if he signs on, hang a huge exclamation point to the year — and the future.
Mapu is a certified talent, making all the national recruiting sheets and dozens of coaches' wish lists. Under NCAA rules, coaches are prohibited from publicly discussing prospects until they are under signature, but given anonymity, coaches have a lot to say about Mapu.
"He's one of the best to come out of there in the last 10 years," says the coach of a perennial Top 25 team. "There's no doubt he's one of the best in the country, a guy who is good right now and also has considerable upside potential."
Another coach who has recruited Hawai'i frequently says, "He's the best in the state — no doubt about it."
With his size and speed, coaches say, Mapu could either grow into a punishing inside defender or a big-play defensive end.
That is why Mapu has had his pick of colleges before settling on visits to Brigham Young, Hawai'i, Tennessee and Washington.
As much as UH wants Mapu and for all he would mean to the Warriors, he also would be a beyond-the-field bonus for whomever acquires his services. BYU, under second-year coach Gary Crowton, wants to re-establish its presence in recruiting here, and there would be no bigger trophy then Mapu.
Washington, which has traditionally done well here under a succession of coaches, is looking at the possibility of its first 1-2-3 sweep. The Huskies already have commitments from Donny Mateaki of Iolani, the No. 2 player on The Advertiser's list, and No. 3 Brandon Ala of Kamehameha, and still have a shot at Mapu.
On thing is sure: Wherever he goes, Mapu will be the frosting on somebody's recruiting year.
