Kahuku's Ah You chooses Hawai'i
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday secured commitments from defensive lineman Quin Ah You of Kahuku High and offensive lineman Rambo Fui of Faga'itua High in American Samoa.
Ah You, who is 6 feet 3 and 270 pounds, was named to The Advertiser's All-State second team.
"I picked UH because I wanted to play in front of my family," said Ah You, son of Junior Ah You, a former Kahuku High and Canadian Football League standout.
Ah You also plays basketball for the Red Raiders.
After visiting UH last weekend, Ah You said: "I wasn't looking anywhere else. I enjoyed it there. It's like a family-oriented team. I really liked the environment there. They have good coaches. It seems like fun."
Ah You said he can run 40 yards in 4.9 seconds.
He is the second Kahuku High senior to commit to the Warriors this year. Cornerback George Perry will put his commitment in writing Feb. 5, the first day of the NCAA signing period.
Fui and four other prospects from American Samoa completed their recruiting visits to UH yesterday. Before leaving for the airport yesterday morning, Fui told The Advertiser, "I'm coming here."
Fui, who is 6 feet 3 and 310 pounds, also was recruited by Arizona. He was expected to wait until returning home before announcing a decision.
Instead, he said: "I committed to UH. I like it here. It's a cool place."
Bati Ofisa, a sportswriter in American Samoa, said Fui "is our No. 1 offensive tackle. He's a big guy — not fat, but buff."
Faga'itua won the high school state football championship last year.
Under UH coach June Jones, the Warriors have established a recruiting base in American Samoa. Three defensive linemen from there — Isaac Sopoaga, Melila Purcell Jr. and Robertson Sosene — are on UH's roster.
This year, Southern California, Fresno State, Oregon and Arizona are among several schools recruiting there. Jones was scheduled to leave yesterday for a four-day recruiting trip in American Samoa.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Manutai, a 2000 graduate of Kahuku High, has decided to transfer to UH. He will begin taking classes in Manoa today.
Last season, Manutai played at San Bernardino (Calif.) Valley College, where he was named to the Foothill Conference's second team.
Manutai, who is 6 feet and 225 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. He played inside linebacker at San Bernardino, but would like to audition at outside linebacker at UH.
"I feel more comfortable out there," he said.
Manutai had decided more than a week ago to transfer to UH. "It was a done deal," he said, adding he waited until meeting with an uncle yesterday before announcing his decision. "I want to go to UH."
Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai praised Manutai as "the best (linebacker) to come out of this state in three years. The (University of) Hawai'i guys are very lucky. He's a great player."
As a senior, Manutai received honorable mention on The Advertiser's All-State football team.
That year, Kahuku selected him as the football team's defensive Player of the Year.
