Three say they will play football for Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday received verbal commitments from a record-setting quarterback from Arizona, a top offensive lineman from American Samoa and a speedy athlete from Southern California.

They are:

• Tyler Graunke, a quarterback from Salpointe Catholic High in Tucson.
• Keith Ah Soon, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound center from Tafuna High in American Samoa.
• Ryan Grice-Mullins, a combination wide receiver/defensive back from Rialto (Calif.) High.

Yesterday, they told The Advertiser they will sign national letters of intent with UH on Wednesday, the first day NCAA Division I-A recruits may put their commitments in writing.

Graunke, who is 6 feet and 180 pounds, set the Arizona state high school single-season passing record when he threw for 3,372 yards in 2003. In 12 games, he completed 64.3 percent of his passes (193 of 300) and threw for 38 touchdowns.

He was named as the Tucson Citizen's high school football Player of the Year for 2003.

"Hawai'i is getting a great quarterback," Salpointe coach Dennis Bene said. "He has great feet and a super-quick release. He's the most accurate quarterback I've ever been around."

Bene said Graunke also is a fearless runner.

"He's a really tough kid," Bene said. "He runs really well. He's a competitor. You won't find many kids who are more focused. He has a lot of attributes that will allow him to succeed at the college level."

Graunke said he wanted to commit during his recruiting visit to Hawai'i. He was scheduled to leave Honolulu late last night.

"This is the right place for me," he said. "That's what I told coach (June) Jones."

Ah Soon said he chose UH because "Hawai'i feels like home."

Manny Atuatasi, the sports coordinator for high school athletics in American Samoa, named Ah Soon as the most valuable offensive lineman.

"He's a solid kid who is good in the classroom," Atuatasi said. "He has a real positive attitude. He's a real coachable guy."

Ah Soon plays basketball and volleyball and competes in the discus and shot put.

Grice-Mullins played quarterback and cornerback at Rialto, although he probably will compete at wide receiver or defensive back at UH.

"I like it here," said Grice-Mullins, who was accompanied by his mother during his recruiting visit, which ended yesterday.

At last year's state track meet, he finished seventh in the 200-meter event, completing the distance in 22.57 seconds. He has been timed at 10.87 seconds over 100 meters. He can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds.

Meanwhile, running back Andrew Pearman (Providence Senior High, Charlotte, N.C.), who announced he would sign with UH on Wednesday, yesterday said he will compete at wideout for the Warriors this coming season, then move to running back in 2005. UH's top three returning running backs — West Keli'ikipi, Michael Brewster and Michael Bass — will be seniors this fall.

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