Sopoaga eligible to play

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Defensive tackle Isaak Sopoaga, one of the top junior college players in 2000, has met the requirements to play for the University of Hawai'i football team this season.

Sopoaga will report to the Warriors Monday, the first day of training camp for UH newcomers. He has two years to play two seasons.

Sopoaga, who attended the College of the Canyons in California for two years, did not play last season while trying to earn enough college credits to transfer to UH. He attended classes at Kapi'olani Community College.

"I've been coaching for 35-plus years, and he's been the best defensive lineman I've ever had the privilege of coaching," said Leon Criner, College of the Canyons' defensive coordinator. "He has all of the tools. He weighs about 310 pounds, but he can be flatfoot and then slam dunk, which is a mean trick considering how much he weighs."

After amassing 31 sacks as a junior-college sophomore, Sopoaga received offers from Texas A&M, Nebraska, Florida State, Washington State and Kansas State. But he opted to sign with UH, which had been recruiting him since he was a senior at Samoana High in American Samoa. At the urging of UH assistant coach Rich Miano, who has developed a recruiting base in American Samoa, Sopoaga decided to enroll at College of the Canyons in 1999.

Criner said Sopoaga can bench press more than 400 pounds, squat lift 600 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.8 seconds.

"His quickness has impressed me the most," Criner said. "He has a great motor. He plays every play all the way through. The motor doesn't shut down. I really think he has the physical tools to play on Sundays. I know that's a cliche, but it's true in his case. I really believe that."

Criner remembers Sopoaga once fighting off a trap block, then chasing down a running back.

"It's a very impressive thing to beat the trap and catch the running back," Criner said. "I use his highlights as part of my teaching tapes, although it's hard to teach 6-4, 310 and 4.8 speed in the 40. Besides that, he's a great kid. When you see him, he scares the daylights out of you because he's so imposing. But when you talk to him, he's a gentle giant."

Meanwhile, quarterback Inoke Funaki of Kahuku High will go on a two-year mission for the Mormon church. When he returns, he will have five years to play four seasons at UH.