Nanakuli lineman has eyes on Hawai'i
By Stacy Kaneshiro and Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writers
Nanakuli High all-star lineman Keala Watson is expected to accept a football scholarship offer from the University of Hawai'i today.
Watson told The Advertiser last night that, if offered a UH scholarship, he would turn down offers from other schools.
Watson played on both sides of the line, but is considered to be one of top defensive line prospects in the state.
He has met the academic requirements to play as an NCAA Division I-A freshman.
Watson has taken recruiting trips to Utah and Colorado State. He has a trip scheduled for Arizona next weekend, but he insisted, "I'm going to cancel it if (UH) offers me" a scholarship today.
Watson, who is 6 feet 4 and 310 pounds, was named to The Advertiser's All-State second team as a defensive lineman for the 2003 football season.
Fale Laeli, a defensive tackle from Saint Louis School, also said that, if offered, he would accept a football scholarship from UH.
Laeli, who is 6 feet 2 and 300 pounds, has received offers from Arizona and Portland State.
Laeli said his father "wants me to play at home. If I get a scholarship (from UH), I'm committing. I like the program."
Laeli, who can bench press 390 pounds, was a dominant defensive player throughout the regular season. But he was held out of the state football tournament because he did not the meet the tournament's maximum-participation rule, which limits student-athletes to four years to play four seasons.
Watson and Laeli are among 18 recruits taking "official" UH-hosted visits this weekend. The 48-hour visits began Friday night. Among the recruits are a decorated defensive lineman from California and a standout linebacker from Florida.
Yesterday, recruits were treated to lunch at the 30th-floor executive dining room at the First Hawaiian Bank Center. They also met with academic counselors and UH players, and toured the school, athletic department facilities and Aloha Stadium.
"I'm getting along with the fellas," Laeli said. "The coaches are good guys, too."
Perbera to W. Montana: Saint Louis quarterback Keali'i Perbera said last night he has committed to play for Western Montana next season.
Perbera completed 58 percent of his passes this past regular season, for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was intercepted only twice in 137 attempts.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042 and Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
Staff writer Wes Nakama contributed to this report.
