Two defense players commit to Warriors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday received verbal commitments from a speedy high school cornerback from Arizona and a defensive end from the junior college national championship team.
What's more, cornerback Qwenton Freeman of Pasadena City College told The Advertiser he expects to sign with the Warriors. "Yes, sir, it's Hawai'i," Freeman said of his next school. "The trip is cool. The people are cool."
KayBrin Stevenson, a 6-foot, 170-pound cornerback from Chandler (Ariz.) High, and Tomi Halai, a 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, Calif.), will put their commitments in writing Feb. 2, the first day recruits may sign binding national letters of intent with NCAA schools.
Stevenson, who completed his recruiting trip to Hawai'i yesterday, can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. As a sophomore, he set the region record by running the 110-meter hurdles in 14.2 seconds. He also was a member of the region's 4x400 relay team.
"The atmosphere is really nice and laid back," said Stevenson, who has lived in Louisiana and Arizona. "It's not like Louisiana, and Arizona is really hot. This is perfect. I met a lot of the (UH) players, and they seem really cool, like family. I like it."
Stevenson said he will turn down offers from North Dakota and Northern Colorado.
"I never imagined coming out here to visit, to tell you the truth," he said, "and now to come out for college, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm going to jump on it."
Last fall, Halai helped College of the Canyons defeat City College of San Francisco to win the junior college national championship. Halai was named the game's most outstanding defensive player.
He also was named to the All-Western States Conference second team.
"He's tall, he can run and he's a tough kid and good football player," said Leon Criner, who was College of the Canyons' defensive coordinator during Halai's freshman season in 2003. "He'll probably play on the edge for (the Warriors). He has great legs and hip strength. He'll do very well for them."
The Warriors concluded their busiest recruiting weekend yesterday, offering scholarships to about half of the 18 visiting players.
Offensive lineman Raphael Ieru of McKinley High said UH has emerged as his top choice. He also is mulling a scholarship offer from Arizona State. Ieru, who is 6 feet 4 and 315 pounds, said he expects to announce a decision by this weekend.
Linebacker Solomon Elimimian of Crenshaw High in Los Angeles said, "I'm leaning toward Hawai'i."
Elimimian, the younger brother of former UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian, has visited Utah. He also has received an offer from Iowa State.
As a senior, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Elimimian amassed 125 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. He was named to the All-League, All-City, All-Area and All-Region all-star teams.
All-State defensive tackle Tyson Alualu of Saint Louis School has included UH as one of his three finalists. Alualu, who has canceled visits to Arizona and Brigham Young, is expected to announce a decision by this weekend.
Defensive end Purcell will play next season
UH starting defensive left end Melila Purcell III said he has decided to compete for the Warriors this coming season.
Purcell's father is an Army Reservist who is preparing for a tour of duty in Iraq. Last month, Purcell said he considered returning to American Samoa for the spring semester to care for his mother. He would have taken classes at the local community college to maintain his NCAA eligibility.
But Purcell decided to remain at UH for the spring semester. Yesterday, he said he will return for his senior season.
"I'm ready to play," Purcell said.
As a partial qualifier — one of his high school English classes was not accepted — Purcell was enrolled as a freshman at UH in the fall of 2002 but was not eligible to play that season.
According to NCAA rules, if Purcell earns a bachelor's degree within four years — by August 2006 — he will be granted a fourth season of eligibility and be allowed to play during the 2006 season.
Purcell said he is on track to meet that deadline.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
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