Posted on: Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Alualu choosing between UH, Cal
| • | UH football recruits |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i remains in the running for one of the state's top defensive linemen and Oregon's high school offensive player of the year.
Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu of Saint Louis School and wide receiver Kevin Maher of Lake Oswego (Ore.) High School were mulling their options last night. Tomorrow is the first day football recruits may sign binding national letters of intent.
Alualu, who is 6 feet 2 and 285 pounds, was leaning toward UH last week, and was expected to announce a decision this past Saturday. His finalists are UH and California.
But neither school has heard directly from Alualu in recent days. Saint Louis did not have school Friday and yesterday. NCAA football coaches are not allowed to have face-to-face contact with recruits through tomorrow.
"I think if he becomes a Warrior, it's a matter of him playing in front of his family and friends," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said.
Maher, who is 6 feet 2 and 203 pounds, was named Oregon's top offensive player. He also was named to the All-State first team as a safety.
Oregon State and Portland State have offered Maher his choice of playing on offense or defense. Maher would compete at strong safety at UH.
"I kind of want to play strong safety in college," Maher said.
Maher said he is weighing the "pros and cons. I was slightly leaning toward Oregon State (last week), but now I'm kind of leaning toward Hawai'i."
Maher said his family has long ties to UH strength coach Mel deLaura, who used to coach at Lake Oswego.
"Mel has helped my older brother since eighth grade," Maher said. "Me and Mel, we go way back. He's helped me a lot."
Leilehua High linebacker BJ Fruean expects to decide today among offers from UH, San Jose State and Nevada-Las Vegas.
Fruean needs to resolve a glitch in his personal documents before he is deemed eligible to compete as a freshman in the fall.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
