Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2005

'Athletic' players fill UH recruiting class

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The NCAA limits Division I-A football coaches to one news conference to discuss their recruiting classes. Yesterday, UH coach June Jones gave his assessment of 22 recruits — 20 who submitted letters of intent and two already enrolled in school.

UH is awaiting copies from wideout Jordan Slye, who lives in California and needs a signature from his father in Seattle; offensive lineman Adrian Thomas of Australia, and Leilehua High linebacker BJ Fruean, who needs verification of personal records.

Here's the class of 2005:

Kirk Alexander
Safety
6-4, 217, Pasadena High

Background: Two-time Pacific League all-star; 125 tackles as a senior, 37-inch vertical jump.

Jones: "He reminds me of Kenny (Patton, UH cornerback). He's smart and athletic as heck. He's just a good athlete. He'll probably end up being a safety, but he's athletic enough to play corner."

Davone Bess
Slotback
5-11, 190, Skyline High (Oakland)

Background: He played safety, cornerback, receiver and quarterback in high school. He can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds and dunk a basketball. He originally signed with Oregon State, but then served 15 months at a youth detention ranch for possessing stolen property. He is enrolled at UH this semester and receiving a football scholarship.

Jones: "Davone Bess has a chance to start for us once he learns the system. Athletically, he's explosive. He's a little bigger, stronger slot. He'll have the jump learning this spring and being here this semester. I would think he'll compete for a starting job."

Mario Cox
Running back/linebacker
5-11, 231, McClymonds High (Oakland)

Background: Named to San Francisco Chronicle's Bay Area first team and the Contra Costa Times' top-26 "Cream of the Crop." Benches 300 pounds, squats 520 pounds and runs 40 yards in 4.56 seconds.

Jones: "He's a legitimate big-time runner. You don't score 25 touchdowns and not be able to run, especially in that type of league."

Solomon Elimimian
Linebacker
6-1, 220, Crenshaw High (Los Angeles)

Background: Runs 4.56 seconds over 40 yards; 125 tackles, including 9› sacks, as a senior. Younger brother of former UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian.

Jones: "Solomon Elimimian is, I think, just a play-maker. I mean, when we watch his tape, he's probably the biggest play-maker that we recruited. He's got tackles, sacks, interceptions, everything. He's always around the ball."

John Estes
Offensive lineman
6-3, 280, Saint Mary's High (Stockton)

Background: Named the league's Lineman of the Year and was selected to the Sac-Joaquin all-section team.

Jones: "He's very athletic. He fits our m.o. for what we look for in the offensive line, being able to do things we want him to do. He's a great kid, and tough and physical."

John Fonoti
Defensive end/linebacker
6-4, 237, Farrington High

Background: Despite being limited to three games because of a leg injury, he received OIA East honorable mention. Runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds, and power cleans 245 pounds.

Jones: "He's an athlete. When he gets into our weight program and gets into finding out what type of dedication is needed, he has a chance to be a big-time player."

Inoke Funaki
Quarterback
6-0, 190, Kahuku High (2002)

Background: As an All-State quarterback, he led Kahuku to the state football championship. He returned from a church mission, and is enrolled at UH and receiving a football scholarship.

Jones: "We let kids play where they want to play. He'll start off at quarterback. But he's a winner, a competitor. I haven't seen him throw the ball since high school, because he's been on a mission. He's an athlete. He's one of those kids if he doesn't make it at quarterback, he can play at other spots."

Tomi Halai
Defensive end
6-4, 245, College of the Canyons (California)

Background: Helped his team win the junior college national championship. He was named that game's most outstanding defensive player.

Jones: "Tomi Halai is a pass-rushing, athletic defensive end. When he gets into our weight program, before it's over, he'll probably be 275 and 280. He can make plays, and he runs to the football real well."

Raphael Ieru
Defensive tackle
6-4, 330, McKinley High

Background: Named to Advertiser's All-State second team as an offensive lineman. He benches 225 pounds 22 times.

Jones: "He can probably play on either side, but we have a need at defensive line. We talked to him about that. He wanted to stay home. He's a great kid, really smart and I think he's going to be a real load inside and a real powerful defender for us."

Marquez Jackson
Slotback
5-8, 150, East Hall High (Georgia)

Background: Starting point guard on nationally ranked basketball team. He caught 52 passes for 848 yards as a senior.

Jones: "He's subtle smooth, kind of a Chad Owens-quickness guy. He's a great point guard in Georgia, and to be that, you have to be a great athlete. He will get stronger when he gets here. I can see him returning punts and being a productive slot for us. He fits the mold that we look for."

Daniel Johnson
Offensive lineman
6-4, 270, Skyline High (Washington)

Background: Named King County Lineman of the Year, and was selected to Division 4-A All-State first team. He was picked as the top lineman at the Gatorade Strongman Challenge.

Jones: "He has a lot of talent. He's smart, obviously, because if you're an offensive lineman and you choose not to come here, you've got to have rocks in your head."

Aaron Kia
Offensive lineman
6-4, 268, Mililani High

Background: Named to Advertiser's All-State first team. He qualified for the state swimming championship (50-meter freestyle) as a sophomore.

Jones: "Aaron Kia already — from the time we recruited him until now — looks like a different person. (Former Denver Bronco) Ma'a Tanuvasa has been working him out. I would say he's a prototype pass-protector. He's a great kid, and he'll be one of those who will have a chance to play for four years for us."

Richard "RJ" Kiesel-Kauhane
Linebacker
6-1, 210, Aiea High

Background: Named to Advertiser's All-State second team. He can bench press 225 pounds 22 times and run 4.6 seconds over 40 yards.

Jones: "He's a gem. Nobody was really on him, but he can run, he can lift and he's athletic. He's what you look for at linebacker. We kind of went through the whole deal as a staff that 'nobody's recruiting him, we can get him to walk on.' I said, 'You know what, the guy has his grades. I don't care if anybody is recruiting him or not. Give him a scholarship because he can play.' And that's what we did."

Laupepa Letuli
Offensive lineman
6-4, 265, North Torrance (Calif.) High

Background: Amassed 42 knockdown blocks without allowing a sack as a senior. He was named to he All-CIF first team and the Pioneer League's Offensive Player of the Year.

Jones: "He's real legitimate. He's an impact guy. I'm excited about him playing for us."

Antwan Mahaley
Wideout
6-4, 200, Carson (Calif.) High

Background: Had 442 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a senior receiver after playing tight end as a junior.

Jones: "He's tall and, although he looks like a tight end, he's athletic enough to move (to wideout). He will blossom as he comes into our offense."

Eric Pedersen
Safety
6-1, 195, Peninsula High (California)

Background: Named Bay League's Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-CIF. As a running back, he gained more than 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a senior.

Jones: "He's an athletic kid. He reminds me of (UH coach) Rich Miano, only he's faster, quicker and better."

Brashton Satele
Linebacker
6-2, 240, Word of Life Academy

Background: Two-time All-State linebacker who runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. He is the son of former UH linebacker Alvis Satele and former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Lee Ann (Pestana) Satele.

Jones: "Brashton Satele is a big-play defensive player who has a chance to start for four years. He can run, he can hit, he's big, he's physical."

Rocky Savaiigaea
Defensive tackle
6-3, 290, Aiea

Background: Named to Advertiser's All-State first team and was selected as the OIA West's Defensive Player of the Year.

Jones: "He's a stud inside. He makes a lot of plays, and he has a great motor."

Siave Seti
Defensive tackle
5-10, 315, West Los Angeles College

Background: Bench presses 225 pounds 25 times.

Jones: "He also has a great motor. He's a great kid. You've got to have guys inside who can do all of the dirty work. He's one of those guys."

Blaze Soares
Linebacker
6-1, 225, Castle High

Background: Three-time All-State selection and OIA East Defensive Player of the Year. He can bench press 405 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.

Jones: "On film, he's as good a linebacker as there was in the state. He can run, and he's just a great kid. He'll have a chance to play for us (as a freshman)."

KayBrin Stevenson
Cornerback
6-0, 170, Chandler (Ariz.) High

Background: Two-time 5A Fiesta Region all-star who can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. He set a regional record in the 110-meter hurdles (14.2 seconds).

Jones: "He's a fast, athletic corner. He runs the 100, he runs the hurdles. He does all of that sprint stuff. He's a very fast athletic kid."

Michael Washington
Slotback
5-7, 160, Aliquippa (Pa.) High

Background: As a junior, he averaged 32.9 yards per catch, with 14 of his 22 receptions resulting in touchdowns. He is a member of the National Honor Society.

Jones: "I don't think I've seen a guy on tape like Michael Washington, even when I was in the pros. He's different. He had 22 catches his junior year and scored 14 touchdowns. That tells you something. I looked at his film and I said, 'You've got to be kidding me.' "

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