Jones comments on new recruits

Advertiser Staff

According to NCAA rules, each Division I-A head football coach is limited to one news conference to discuss his recruiting class.

Here are UH coach June Jones' comments on the 21 players who submitted letters of intent in time for this morning's conference:

Quin Ah You, defensive lineman, 6-3, 270, Kahuku High: "He's strong and has good quickness and he has great genes (as the son of former Kahuku standout Junior Ah You). He's going to get bigger and stronger."

Ray Bass, cornerback, 5-11, 170, Centennial High (Calif.): "He's a big-time corner. He has great speed and great size. He's got a little something the rest of the guys don't have. He's going to be a good football player."

Lenny Boatner, slotback, 5-11, 170, Winston Academy (Miss.): "He sent us this tape a long time ago. When I first looked at it, I'd never seen a highlight tape like that. He's got speed, he's got balance, he's got quickness. He's something."

Chris Cole, linebacker, 5-9, 226, Mission Viejo (Calif.) High: "He made more plays as a defensive lineman than anybody I saw. After watching a tape, I didn't care how big he was or what size he was. I said, 'We'll find a place for him to play football.'"

DeJaun Gatling, offensive lineman, 6-4, 260, Silverado High (Calif.): "He's interesting, a little bit of a reach. But he's a good athlete with really long arms. In our system, he'll develop, once he makes a commitment in the weight room. He's a really great kid, and he's got good potential."

Xavier Ho'olulu, offensive lineman, 6-3, 290, Kailua High: "He has really good feet. And he's big ... raw, but athletic. ... We think we can get him to be a very good pass protector."

Jeremy Inferrera, offensive lineman, 6-3, 280, Saint Louis School: "I think he'll be ready to compete if he makes the commitment in the weight room between now and September. I think he's got a chance to compete as a pass protector."

Michael Lafaele, center, 6-1, 280, Farrington High: "He's like a smaller Vincent Manuwai. He's got a great motor, great balance, great strength. He's something."

Reggie Maldonado, defensive tackle, 6-5, 250, Saddleback College (Calif): "He's going to be an inside player for us. We're excited that we got him. He's going to have to fit in to where he fits in right now. We're going to lose a lot of defensive lineman. He's going to be a guy who's going to grow into being a good player for us."

A.J. Martinez, cornerback, 6-0, 185, Edison High (Calif.): "He's a big-time cover corner. I think he's got a chance to be a baseball starter for us, too. He can run, and he has great quickness. We're going to put him at corner."

Viliami Nauahi, safety, 6-2, 200, Kahuku High: "He's a big-time safety. Any Division I team would love to have him."

Timo Paepule, linebacker, 6-0, 210, Saint Louis School: "(He is a) real athletic player. He played on the basketball team, too, I think. He's just a solid defensive guy for us."

Earnest Powell, cornerback, 5-9, 170, Hightower High (Houston): "Great cover guy. He has quickness and awareness. He reminds me kind of a Nate Odoms, who played at Wisconsin and the NFL. He has a lot of football savvy."

Jason Rivers, wideout, 6-2, 193, Saint Louis School: "He has big-time acceleration. He has a chance to be a great player."

Jack Rolovich, quarterback, 6-3, 207, San Marin High (Calif.): "He's got a lot to learn, and he has four years to do it instead of two, like his brother (former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich). It's going to be fun to watch him progress."

Hercules Satele, center, 6-3, 260, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly: "He's (an) athletic, big-time player. He probably would start at any Division I school. He has a lot to learn, getting stronger. ... He's a very good kid, and he's smart. I think he has tremendous upside in our offense."

Larry Sauafea, offensive lineman, 6-3, 260, Samoana High (American Samoa): "He's almost identical to Hercules. He's got great feet. He's going to get real powerful as he gets into our offseason program. His best football is ahead of him."

Daniel Tautofi, linebacker, 6-2, 230, Kaimuki High: "Very athletic. He plays on the basketball team. He's got a great upside."

Elijuawon Thompson, defensive end, 6-3, 240, L.A. Southwest College: "He has a great first couple of steps. He has that something off the ball that the good ones have."

Tu Tui, defensive backs, 6-1, 220, Kahuku High: "I think he's the best unknown player we signed. ... He kind of has the ability Vili (Nauahi) has. He's a really good football player. He'll probably end up at linebacker for us because he's got a little more size right now. But he'll start wherever he wants to start out at, either safety or linebacker."

Tim Wright, punter, 6-4, 205, Southwest Mississippi College: "He's a good punter. He's the best available for us right now, a junior college kid who can come in and do it, which we've got to have."