Football recruits praised by Jones

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

At a reception at Washington Place in 1999, June Jones, the newly hired University of Hawai'i head football coach, challenged reporters to evaluate the program's progress in five years.

This week, Jones completed his first five-year recruiting cycle, and by his own estimation, the program — with two bowl appearances in four seasons and eight of his UH players in the NFL — has fulfilled the promises.

Jones praised this year's yield, which included a sweep of Kahuku High's Division I-A prospects, another recruit from American Samoa, and the state's top prospect (Saint Louis wide receiver Jason Rivers), top defensive back (Kahuku's Viliami Nauahi) and top linebacker (Kaimuki's Daniel Tautofi).

Jones dismissed the published listing of supposed blue-chippers UH had never pursued, much less recognized. "I don't know how that comes about," Jones said. "I really don't."

Instead, he insisted, the Warriors had successfully out-recruited some prominently known programs for recruits. "We also discouraged other schools from coming in here anymore because we've won (recruiting battles) the last two or three years," Jones said. "This year, we'll probably knock a few more out of here because they waste their money and their time to come over here."

Of the top local prospects, Jones said only two who were offered scholarships chose to go elsewhere. In fact, the number was three — Saint Louis' Wilson Afoa, Kamehameha's R.J. Willing and 'Aiea's Brandon Rodd — and Jones wished them well.

"I hope it works out for the kids who went away," he said, adding, "I'm happy with the kids who decided to stay home. I think that shows a little pride in themselves, pride in the state, pride in the school, pride for their families, an opportunity to play in front of everybody."

There are four former UH offensive linemen on NFL rosters, and three more have been invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

"If you're an offensive lineman and you don't come here, you're nuts," Jones said. "That's just a general statement."

UH signed six offensive linemen, including three members of The Advertiser's All-State team.

NCAA rules limit Division I-A coaches to one news conference to discuss recruits. UH received signed commitments from 21 recruits by the start of yesterday's conference.

Cornerback George Perry of Kahuku High sent his letter of intent. Slotback Jason Ferguson of Fairfax High in Los Angeles signed a letter, but he will not enroll at UH until next January.

Safety Orlando Wong and defensive linemen Matt Faga and Darrell Tautofi previously signed scholarship agreements. Wong already is enrolled at UH. Faga and Tautofi, if they complete academic work, will join the Warriors in August.

Below are Jones' comments on the 21 players who committed before yesterday'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, 165
Centennial High (Calif.)

"Ray went to the Nike Combine ... (and) some of the kids we were recruiting from other schools said, he was just unbelievable at the combine. When he ran his 40, the whole place just stopped to watch the 40. That tells you he can run."

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.'"

Dejuan Gatling
offensive lineman, 6-4, 250
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
6-4, 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, 270
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 (Texas)

"Great cover guy. He has quickness and awareness. He reminds me kind of a Nate Odomes, 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, 250
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
6-2, 250
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 back
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
6-3, 215
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."