McKinley's Ieru is UH-bound

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two All-State football players — one from Hawai'i, the other from Pennsylvania — will accept football scholarships from the University of Hawai'i.

Ieru

Mike Washington of Aliquippa High School also said he plans to sign with the Warriors next Wednesday, the first day football recruits may put their commitments in writing.

"That's what I plan on doing," said Washington, who is projected to play slotback for the Warriors.

Ieru, who is 6 feet 4 and 330 pounds, was an offensive lineman for the Tigers. He will compete at defensive tackle for the Warriors. He agreed to the move after consulting with Vantz Singletary, UH's defensive line coach.

"I believe in Coach Singletary," Ieru said. "I know he can make me a better player and a better person. He tells me he can help me become faster and stronger."

Ieru said he can bench press 225 pounds 22 times. He said his bench-press repetitions decreased because he is playing basketball. "When basketball is done," he said, "I'll get back into football shape. I'm going to lose more weight, and I'm going to get stronger."

He said he will notify Jones of his decision today. He is turning down a scholarship offer from Arizona State.

Washington is scheduled to visit Hawai'i this weekend, but decided to commit "sight unseen," said Mike Zmijanac, Aliquippa's head football coach. "He's made his final decision."

Washington, who is 5 feet 7 and 160 pounds, was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All Class AA All-State team as a defensive back this past season.

As a junior, Washington helped the Fighting Quips win the AA state championship. That season, he caught 22 passes for 723 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a cornerback, he intercepted 11 passes. He also scored touchdowns on two punt returns and two kickoff returns.

Zmijanac said several schools might have backed off Washington because of his size. But Zmijanac said: "It doesn't matter how big you are if nobody can catch you. He started for me for four years, and nobody could catch him."

Washington earned the nickname "Speedy" when he lived in Union, S.C., through the ninth grade and "Turbo" at Aliquippa.

At the University of Pittsburgh and AK Recruiting camps, Washington ran 40 yards in a hand-timed 4.28 seconds and electronically timed 4.37 seconds.

Washington received scholarship offers from California and Bowling Green. He said California wanted him to play defensive back.

"I had to let them go," he said. "I want to be a receiver."

He said Bowling Green threatened to rescind his scholarship offer if he visited Hawai'i.

"I told them, 'I'm taking the visit,'" he recalled.

Washington said he has followed the Warriors the past several years, watching their appearances on national telecasts.

"I watched Chad (Owens, a former UH slotback) and (quarterback Tim) Chang, and they were so amazing," Washington said. "Hawai'i's offense is amazing. I love the four-wide spread and how they throw the ball. I can see myself on those bubble screens. ... I'm going to love it."

Washington said he plans to pursue a career in architecture. His interest in the subject dates to an eighth-grade project.

Washington said he has a cumulative 3.4 grade-point average, and is ranked No. 6 in his senior class. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is listed in the Who's Who of High School Students. He also received an academic award from Fox Sports Net.

He said he spends his free time with his family (he lives with his grandmother), attending Church in the Round, and reading. His favorite books? "Sometimes, I pick up an encyclopedia book or dictionary, and start reading," Washington said. "I'm interested in learning."

Aliquippa is a steel mill town that has produced standout athletes such as Joe Montana, Ty Law, Sean Gilbert, Mike Ditka and Tony Dorsett.

In related news, UH remains as the top choice for linebacker Solomon Elimimian of Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. Elimimian, the younger brother of former UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian, visited Utah and has received an offer from Iowa State. Jones will visit Elimimian's home tomorrow. "Hawai'i should know my decision as late as Sunday," Elimimian said.

Linebacker Blaze Soares of Castle High School is scheduled to visit UH this weekend. He visited Brigham Young two weeks ago, but said he is leaning "more to UH." Soares, who wants to study marine biology, said he will wait until after his UH trip before announcing a decision.

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