Posted on: Wednesday, March 9, 2005

OSU builds recruiting pipeline

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

When Oregon State football coach Mike Riley not only went to Kahuku High School but spent a good part of the day sitting in on Red Raider coach Siuaki Livai's math classes, people said it was a sign of OSU's eagerness to recruit in Hawai'i.

But not until this month did we know how eager these Beavers really are to re-establish a strong recruiting foothold here.

In less than a week, OSU has grabbed offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh from the University of Hawai'i and, now, is adding Kanani Souza, head coach of state champion Kamehameha Schools, as a graduate assistant for 2005.

What's next, an L&L Drive-Inn in Corvallis?

Clearly, the Beavers like players from Hawai'i — particularly linemen — and are looking to expand their ties beyond the five recruits they already have on the 2005 roster. And, now, they have the people in place to help accomplish it.

Meanwhile, we get to chew on speculation of not only who will fill in for Souza in one of the state's most desirable football jobs but whether it might, by the end of the the one-year leave of absence, be opened up again.

We're told that OSU defensive coordinator Mark Banker, a former UH assistant, will continue to be the Beavers' point man in recruiting Hawai'i, but it sure has to be a significant boost getting both Cavanaugh and Souza on board.

There are a lot of reasons the Beavers coveted Cavanaugh and reportedly shelled out in excess of the $150,000 package he had at UH to get him. Recruiting obviously adding to them. Whether Cavanaugh makes home visits in Hawai'i or not, you can bet he'll be a selling point when it comes to recruiting offensive linemen to OSU. Who better to use in trying to persuade a local line prospect to commit to OSU than somebody who has cachet in the community and has made the move himself?

Then, there is Souza who, as a graduate assistant, is not able to go into homes under NCAA rules, but there are any number of valuable ways he can still assist the Beavers. Beyond being a considerable resource, Souza can phone recruits, their parents and coaches. And, when recruits come to Corvallis, he can take them around campus.

For the 59-year-old Souza, who spent 17 years as a college coach before going to Kamehameha in 1996, this is the opportunity he has wanted to grab a breath of fresh air and get back to the college end of the profession.

Coming off his first state title and staring at a rebuilding job that includes replacing nearly all the offensive starters, the timing for a leave of absence couldn't be better.

For $25,306 — the amount of out-of-state graduate student tuition, room, board and expenses allowed by the NCAA — the Beavers get Souza's ties and a tight end coach, too. And, the rest of us get a lot opportunity for conjecture over the next 10 months.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.