NFL draft piques interest of Wisconsin's Raiola
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Players from Hawai'i in Division I spring football camps
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Wisconsin center Donovan Raiola watched the NFL Draft this past weekend, like he has every year since he was in high school.
"You see a guy get drafted that you played against, I think it's pretty cool, just knowing you played against someone that's going into the NFL," said Raiola, a 2001 Kamehameha Schools graduate from Honolulu who will be a junior in the fall.
Raiola, who is 6 feet 3 and 280 pounds, is already considered a prospect for the 2006 draft by Mel Kiper Jr. — who rates him among the top three offensive linemen.
Raiola won't comment about whether he'd consider turning pro after next season, choosing to focus on the upcoming season, when he projects the Badgers to finish in the top three of the Big Ten Conference.
Raiola, one of 34 Hawai'i high school graduates listed on rosters among 117 Division I football programs on the Mainland, said he always checks the Internet to see how his former prep teammates and opponents are faring.
He said he sees some of them, such as Washington's Donny Mateaki (Iolani 2002) and Brandon Ala (Kamehameha 2002), during the summer in Hawai'i, and said he keeps track of them during the season.
He met up with Colorado's Vaka Manapuna (Saint Louis 2001) when their teams played in the Alamo Bowl in 2002.
"I played against him in high school; you never know where your roles may take you," Raiola said. "It's crazy that we got to play against each other and then hang out afterwards."
Raiola has three teammates who are from Hawai'i: junior right tackle Lyle Maiava (Saint Louis 2001), redshirt freshman strong safety James Kamoku (Kealakehe 2003) and senior punter R.J. Morse (Iolani 2001).
Homegrown Report chronicles feats of former Hawai'i high school athletes. If you know of any deserving of recognition, give us their names, high schools and graduation years, colleges and sports. E-mail us at: homegrown@honoluluadvertiser.com or contact Leila Wai at 535-2457. Homegrown Report appears every Wednesday in The Honolulu Advertiser.
The Badgers recently completed spring drills, and Raiola said it was a good chance for all the players to "learn the ins and outs that make you a better player."
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"You go into spring hoping to accomplish things you need to work on," said Raiola, who focused on finishing his blocks better. "It definitely makes you a better player."
Raiola, selected all-Big Ten honorable mention last season, has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2004 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best center in college football.
He said it is important to do well in college because it helps the chances for high school football players in Hawai'i.
"For the kids that are trying to get looked at, if there are guys that are coming out of Hawai'i and doing well, it is better for Hawai'i kids to get a chance to go to a big-time school," Raiola said.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
