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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 28, 2008

UH Warriors land three JC recruits

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

The Hawai'i football team yesterday took three major steps in filling pressing needs, receiving verbal commitments from a wideout and two cornerbacks.

The Warriors landed:

  • Mike Tinoco, a wide receiver from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

  • Chris Black, a cornerback from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif.

  • Jeramy Bryant, a cornerback from Los Angeles Harbor College.

    All three have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

    The Warriors had lost all four starting receivers from the Western Athletic Conference's 2007 Unit of the Year. Wideouts Jason Rivers and C.J. Hawthorne completed their NCAA eligibility, and slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins opted to apply for the 2008 National Football League draft.

    In addition, last season's starting cornerbacks, Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis, also finished their UH careers.

    Tinoco gives the Warriors another big (6 feet 2 1/2 and 200 pounds) wideout, joining incumbents Greg Salas, Malcolm Lane and Dylan Linkner, and newcomer Daniel Lofton.

    Tinoco said he has run 40 yards in 4.53 seconds.

    Tinoco also received interest from Boise State and Connecticut.

    Tinoco was among more than a dozen prospects to visit UH the past weekend. During a meeting with the UH coaches, he quizzed them on their version of the four-wide offense.

    "I love the offense," Tinoco said. "The coaching staff is great. They're awesome."

    Tinoco also appears to be a nice fit for Hawai'i's lifestyle.

    "I love to surf and bodyboard and bodysurf," he said. "I've been doing that for 10 years now."

    He has visited Hawai'i a few times, long-board surfing off Hale'iwa and Waikiki.

    "I love the Islands," Tinoco said. "It's kind of my style."

    Black, who is 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds, said he has run 40 yards in under 4.5 seconds.

    He was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., but opted to attend a junior college in California.

    Black received interest from Indiana, Nevada, Central Michigan, New Mexico State and Idaho State. But after the past weekend's visit, he decided nothing compared to paradise.

    "Yes, sir, I'm going to be a Warrior," he said yesterday from the Honolulu International Airport. "Being out here for the weekend, I like the surroundings. It's kind of laid back. I like the football team. I have a chance to come in and play right away."

    During his visit, he said, "I met great people. I love how they show the Hawai'i football program so much love. I feel like I can fit in."

    L.A. Harbor coach Andrew Alvillar said Bryant will be a good addition on and off the field.

    "He's a great kid," Alvillar said. "He'll be a great asset to the program. He's a hard-working kid. He gets the most out of any situation. He'll be missed in our program. He was a leader on our team."

    Bryant, who is 5-9 and 177 pounds, has run 40 yards in 4.48 seconds. "I round it up to 4.5," he said.

    Last season, he set the team record with 14 pass breakups.

    "Athletically, he's always around the football," Alvillar said.

    Bryant visited Akron and Washington State. He also received interest from Oregon State, Iowa State and Utah State. But before the end of his recruiting trip yesterday, Bryant decided that "Hawai'i is where I want to be."

    "I love coach Mack," Bryant said of new UH head coach Greg McMackin. "I love his coaching style, and the way he approaches things, the way he handles his business.

    "And I met my personal coach, (Rich) Miano. He's great. He knows his stuff."

    Last season, L.A. Harbor had two freshmen starting at safety. Alvillar said the safeties looked to Bryant for leadership.

    "He's a real physical type of player," Alvillar said. "He's physically strong. He's really determined to be the best player he can be. He strives to be the best. He works hard. He does a lot of extra stuff. He's really going to dive into this opportunity and make the most of it, for sure."

    Alvillar added that Bryant performs a lot of community service and is active in his church.

    "He's a good role model," Alvillar said. "And he's low maintenance. Tell him what to do and, and he'll do it above and beyond. You'll never have to worry about him."

    There is one more recruiting weekend before Feb. 6, the first day prospects may sign binding national letters of intent.

    The Warriors have received 11 verbal commitments.

    Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.