Warriors land Saints' Inferrera

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

One of the top high school offensive linemen in the state has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawai'i football team.

INFERRERA

"I see the program only getting better, and I want to be part of that," he said of his decision to commit to UH.

Inferrera visited Arizona State last weekend. "They've got a great program and it's a nice place, but it's not home," he said. "It doesn't have the same atmosphere as Hawai'i. I'm a local guy, and I want to play for Hawai'i."

Inferrera can bench press more than 400 pounds.

"He's a strong guy," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said. "He's always in the weight room."

His brother, Daniel Inferrera, is a wide receiver at UH.

Inferrera has lettered in basketball and earned a medal in the discus during last year's state high school track and field meet. He also is a deep-sea fisherman, as well as a pig hunter. Most of all, Tengan said, Inferrera is a skilled offensive lineman.

"He's got great feet, all of the things Coach Cav looks for in an offensive lineman," Tengan said, referring to Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the UH blockers. "He's a guy who's proficient in the passing game because we throw so much. That'll help his transition to the university."

In other recruiting news:

• UH is in the running for Lex Maka, an all-region defensive tackle from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Last month, Maka gave a verbal commitment to San Diego State. But he has had second thoughts, and decided to accept a recruiting trip to UH. When asked about his commitment to the Aztecs, Maka said, "Now, I don't know."

Maka is 6 feet 4 and 260 pounds.

• Reyn Kaupiko, a center from the Kamehameha Schools, will play football at the Naval Academy in the fall. Kaupiko is 6 feet 1 and 275 pounds.

Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator, is Navy's head coach.