UH gets six verbal commitments
By Stephen Tsai and Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writers
In the first steps toward reloading its defense, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday secured verbal commitments from five defensive players, as well as a safety who will play wide receiver, The Advertiser has learned.
They are:
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• Carl Stokes, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Aberdeen High in Maryland.
• Khevin Peoples, a 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker from Blake High in Tampa, Fla.
• Lawrence Wilson, a 6-foot, 309-pound defensive tackle who graduated from Farrington High in 2002 and played the past two seasons at Dixie State College in Utah.
• Keala Watson, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle from Nanakuli High.
• Fale Laeli, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle from Saint Louis School.
• Desmond Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound safety/receiver from Vallejo (Calif.) High.
They will put their commitments in writing on Feb. 4, the first day NCAA Division I-A recruits may sign national letters of intent during the spring semester.
The wave of commitments gives the Warriors quickness at linebacker, depth at defensive tackle and a tall and speedy receiver.
Stokes, who can run 100 meters in 10.7 seconds, led Aberdeen to the Maryland state title for small schools. He was named to the All-State first team.
Stokes initiated contact with the Warriors. His mother paid her way to accompany him on his Hawai'i recruiting visit, which ended yesterday afternoon.
Peoples is the son of the late George Peoples, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys.
As an Auburn sprinter, his mother outraced Florence Griffith-Joyner over 100 meters.
His uncle is Tyrone Keys, a former defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers and Buccaneers.
Keys founded All Sports Community Service, a Tampa-based group that helps teens prepare for the SAT. President George W. Bush honored Keys' group last year. Keys is a close friend of UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary.
Peoples, who also played running back in high school, can run 100 meters in 10.92 seconds and 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. He was recruited by Connecticut, Iowa and Iowa State.
Despite a high ankle sprain, Wilson made 4.5 sacks in six games for Dixie. He was named to the Western States Football League's second team.
"Because of the injury, he didn't play as well as he wanted to, but he was still a real presence in the middle," Dixie coach Greg Croshaw said. "He has great strength. I think he'll do a great job for Hawai'i."
Farrington High athletic director Harold Tanaka likened Wilson to Lance Samuseva, a former Farrington and UH defensive tackle.
Tanaka, who was the Governors' football coach when Wilson was a Farrington student, recalled how "we couldn't block him in practice. He was quick. He's a real good run-stopper. He'll create a lot of havoc inside."
Watson is rejecting scholarship offers from Utah, Colorado State and Arizona.
Watson was named to The Advertiser's all-state second team for the 2003 football season. He has met the qualifications to play as an NCAA Division I-A freshman.
Laeli, who can bench press 390 pounds, also received offers from Arizona and Portland State. He told The Advertiser on Saturday he wanted to remain in Hawai'i.
As a safety last season, Thomas had 118 tackles, eight interceptions and forced two fumbles. As a receiver, where he is projected to play for the Warriors, he had 39 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns. He can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.
The Warriors are not done. They are awaiting answers from a highly recruited wide receiver from the East Coast and a defensive lineman from California.
They also remain hopeful they are in contention for defensive tackle Domata Peko of College of the Canyons in California.
Last night, a family spokeswoman said Peko is undecided about his college choice. A source close to the situation said UH has a "50-50 chance," encouraging odds considering he is being recruited by his eldest brother's alma mater, Michigan State.
Tupe Peko is now an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts.
Domata Peko and his older brother, linebacker Suiavca Peko, also a sophomore at College of the Canyons, completed recruiting visits to Hawai'i yesterday afternoon. UH is reserving a roster berth for Suiavca Peko.
"The family would like both brothers to stay together," said Leon Criner, the College of the Canyons' defensive coordinator last season. "That's a plus for Hawai'i."
The Peko brothers attended Samoana High in American Samoa.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051 and Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
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