They represent about half the seniors who already have the academic qualifications to play as freshmen at NCAA Division I schools.

"My philosophy is education is first," Rams coach Fred Salanoa said.

Each recruiting season, a recurring theme that hampers some of the state's top recruits is not getting academically qualified for college. Student-athletes have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars worth of athletic scholarships because they scored poorly on their SAT or ACT exams or were lacking in credits that count toward college admission. Salanoa wanted to break that habit, at least at Radford. So last year, he encouraged underclassmen to prepare early and take their SATs last year.

Salanoa speaks from experience. After graduating from Radford in 1996, Salanoa went to Snow junior college in Utah before transferring to Eastern Washington.

"I never qualified out of high school," Salanoa said. "That's why I'm trying to get them qualified. I don't want them to go down the same road as me."

NOT JUST JOCKS

Moreover, the Rams are pretty well-rounded students.

"It helped me so much, I wanted to be a participant," he said.

Stevens said the program started about three years ago and has served as a model for schools in Connecticut and Denver.

"The good thing about it is it's kids working with kids," Stevens said.

Brundidge is hoping for a congressional appointment to one of the service academies.

Speaking of new students, Goodman is in his third school in a third country in as many years. He came here from Korea, where he went to school at a U.S. military base. The year before, he was in Japan.

"It's fun," he said of living the life of a military dependent. "I've been doing it my whole life. I'm used to it."

At 6 feet 6 and 245 pounds, it would seem he would make a nice tight end for some Division I school. But he might find himself on the baseball diamond in college. He was a member of Team Hawaii, which took part in the Arizona Senior Fall Classic over the weekend. It is a showcase for pro scouts and college recruiters.

"I don't want to be one-dimensional," Scheuring said. "Other things help you prepare for other things in life."

"I just wanted to be with my friends," he said.

"I was surprised," he said. "When I was told, I thought it was a joke at first. I'm thankful for the recognition."

Wantowski also writes for RamPage, the school's newspaper. He also turns his stories into TV reports as part of an Olelo program.

"My mom pushed that on me early on (in my life)," he said. "Sports is good, but what if one day I got hurt. I would need something to fall back on, so you want to do good in school no matter what."

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Linebacker Bronson Leafa was raised in Halawa Housing, but said his parents told him not to use it as an excuse for not being able to succeed.

"Getting involved in sports helped keep me out of trouble year round," said Leafa, who has a 3.3 GPA.

Leafa also was called upon to help with the racial issues that stirred up last school year. Stevens appointed Leafa and Brundidge to serve on a committee that dealt with the problem.

"I felt very honored (to be picked)," Leafa said. "I try to associate myself with all students, not just jocks."

Stevens said he chose the two because of their leadership qualities. He said Brundidge's maturity is beyond his years.

"He's a real throwback to the 1960s, 1970s," Stevens said.

As for Leafa, Stevens said, "He tries to encourage kids to make good decisions."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.