UH in search of new football recruiting grounds

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the search for prospects, the University of Hawai'i football team is expanding its recruiting reach to New Zealand and Australia.

UH was among the first programs to recruit heavily in American Samoa. But with other Division I programs — including Penn State, Fresno State, Michigan State and Oregon State — setting up recruiting bases in American Samoa, the Warriors decided to also explore other areas.

Defensive coordinator George Lumpkin, who doubles as UH's recruiting coordinator, said Australia and New Zealand are practical extensions of the Warriors' recruiting plans.

Lumpkin said New Zealand has a large Samoan population. UH also has former players from Australia (punter Mat McBriar, defensive lineman Colin Scots) and New Zealand (offensive lineman Mark Nua).

UH coach June Jones said skills in rugby, a popular sport in Australia and New Zealand, are helpful in playing football. Lumpkin said both countries sponsor football leagues.

Lumpkin and quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison will leave May 18 for a 10-day recruiting trip. They will spend a week in Australia and three days in New Zealand. Nua, now an actor, will be the contact person in New Zealand.

The past two years, the Warriors have saved money by not recruiting Mainland players during the spring. "Most of the (Mainland) kids we contact, we get them in the fall, anyway," Jones said.

The savings will help pay for the recruiting trips to Australia and New Zealand.

Akina is No. 2 QB: Jones said Kainoa Akina, a fourth-year junior, will enter today's start of spring practice as the Warriors' top backup to quarterback Tim Chang.

By the end of last season, Akina emerged as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Chang and Jason Whieldon. Whieldon completed his eligibility in December.

Jones said Chang will not participate in many of the passing drills, giving more work to Akina, Jeff Rhode, Ryan Stickler and Jack Rolovich.

Akina, who was Eastern Michigan's starting quarterback as a freshman in 2001, is the son of Texas defensive coordinator Duane Akina, a Punahou School graduate and former UH assistant coach.

Many happy returns: Chad Owens, who was second nationally in kickoff returns in 2001, will be UH's primary returner on kickoffs and punts this coming season.

UH limited Owens' return opportunities the past two seasons to allow him to focus on playing slotback. But Jones said he will fulfill a promise to allow Owens to return kicks as a senior.

Spring times: The Warriors begin 15 days of spring practice today at their grass field. Each practice, which is open to the public, runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Here are the practice dates: Today, Wednesday, Thursday, April 12-15, April 21-23, April 26-29.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.