Warriors' JC recruit class 8th in nation
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
| |||
 |
|
||
The University of Hawai'i football team has been ranked No. 8 nationally in junior-college recruiting this year, according to JCGridiron.com.
Tennessee was named winner of the JUCO Cup.
The standings were posted even before the Warriors finalized a commitment from running back Leon Wright-Jackson, who is attending a community college in Washington. Wright-Jackson, who played at Nebraska as a freshman in 2005, sent a copy of his faxed letter of intent to UH yesterday afternoon.
The Warriors signed six recruits who played for junior colleges last year. Defensive ends Josh Leonard of Sierra College and Chris Leatigaga of Foothill College, and cornerback Ryan Mouton of Blinn College were named to All-America teams.
In addition, defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, who was the pointman in signing nine recruits, was named as one of the nation's top-25 recruiters by Rivals.com. The scouting service noted his recruits had an average star rating of 2.75.
Reinebold recruited Brother Rice High (Chicago) linebacker Kevin Konrath, who signed his UH letter Monday. Last week Wednesday was the first day of the NCAA signing period. Konrath could not sign at that time because he was on a school-mandated retreat.
Konrath, who is 6 feet 3, said he has gained a couple of pounds through training and now weighs 230. He said he quit his high school baseball team to focus on football.
Wright-Jackson, who was named a USA Today Super 25 player as a high school senior, waited until he returned from his UH recruiting trip before signing. He had postponed the trip to get married two weeks ago.
Wright-Jackson's wife accompanied him on the trip. "She had a great time," he said.
Wright-Jackson praised his hosts, linebacker Adam Leonard and quarterback Colt Brennan.
"I appreciate the way Colt, Adam and the rest of the team made me feel welcomed," Wright-Jackson said. "They made me feel like a Warrior. You look at Hawai'i on TV and you see paradise. But when you go there, you find out how nice the people are. Everyone I met was nice. It's the people who make Hawai'i a paradise."
Wright-Jackson, who left Nebraska after his second semester, said he expects to earn an associate degree in May or July. A two-year degree is a requirement for a junior-college transfer. After that, he will have three years to play three seasons.
"I'm grateful for this second chance after leaving Nebraska," Wright-Jackson said. "Coach (Rich) Miano and Coach Jones really are doing a nice thing. I'm going to make the best of this chance.
"I like the coaching staff and the players. The players are a team. There are no individuals. They play as one."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
