HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head football coach Greg McMackin announced the Warriors' 2010 recruiting class Wednesday at a press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center. McMackin and his coaching staff secured commitments from 27 high school and junior college standouts for the upcoming season.
“I'd like to complement our coaching staff for putting together an outstanding recruiting class,” McMackin said. “We addressed certain position groups such as offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker, and we felt we recruited to those concerns. This is probably the fastest and biggest class we've ever recruited and we felt we got quality players at every position.”
Of the 27 signees, 11 are offensive players, 15 are defensive players, and one on special teams. A total of 24 are from high schools and three are from the junior college ranks. Thirteen of the 24 high school signees are from Hawai'i high schools while six are from California and one each from Arizona, Florida, Texas, Washington, and American Samoa.
UH won numerous recruiting battles over Bowl Championship Subdivision schools, including Arkansas, Washington, UCLA, Colorado, Tennessee to name a few. The Warriors also secured commitments from some of the top Hawai'i high school players including state defensive player of the year Beau Yap (Kamehameha Schools), Kailua defensive lineman Calen Friel, Kapolei linebackers Dustin Elisara and Tu'ulauena Lolohea, and Mililani linebacker Zachary Quines.
“We excited that we received letters from half of the top 20 players in the state of Hawai'i,” McMackin said. “We're also excited to get Beau Yap, the state's defensive player of the year. We were able to get most of the top linemen and some excellent linebackers, who we believe are the premiere players in the state.
“Most of our players were recruited heavily by BCS teams. We won most of the battles and some got away but we got the ones we wanted and we're very excited about that.”
One of UH's primary needs this season was on defense after the team lost five starters and 12 lettermen. The Warriors signed six defensive linemen, six linebackers, and three defensive backs. The Warriors also signed five offensive linemen to offset the loss of three starters to graduation.
2010 Signing Class
| Player Name |
Pos.
|
HT.
|
WT.
|
CL.
|
Hometown/Last School |
| Kody Afusia |
OL
|
6-3
|
285
|
Fr.
|
Midway City, CA/Ocean View HS |
| Samson Anguay |
WR
|
5-8
|
155
|
Fr.
|
'Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Campbell HS |
| Darius Bright* |
WR
|
6-5
|
225
|
Jr.
|
San Francisco, CA/City College of San Francisco |
| Siaki Cravens |
LB |
6-3 |
240 |
So. |
Temecula, CA/Long Beach CC |
| Desmond Dean |
DL |
6-7 |
215 |
Fr. |
Tyler, TX/John Tyler HS |
| Dustin Elisara |
LB |
6-2 |
245 |
Fr. |
Kapolei, O'ahu/Kapolei HS |
| Ipulasi Eselu |
DL |
6-2 |
215 |
Fr. |
Waipahu, O'ahu/Moanalua HS |
| Calen Friel |
DL |
6-2 |
260 |
Fr. |
Kane'ohe, O'ahu/Kailua HS |
| Tyler Hadden |
PK |
5-11 |
175 |
Fr. |
Whittier, CA/California HS |
| John Hardy-Tuliau |
DB |
6-1 |
165 |
Fr. |
Temecula, CA/Vista Murrieta HS |
| David Katina |
DL |
6-2 |
225 |
Fr. |
Ottoville, America Samoa/Fa'asao Marist HS |
| Corey Lau |
WR |
5-8 |
145 |
Fr. |
Honolulu, O'ahu/Kailua HS |
| David Lefotu |
OL |
6-4 |
290 |
Fr. |
Pearl City, O'ahu/Pearl City HS |
| Tu'ulauena Lolohea |
LB |
6-2 |
240 |
Fr. |
Pearl City, O'ahu/Kapolei HS |
| Frank Loyd |
OL |
6-5 |
275 |
Fr. |
'Aiea, O'ahu/Moanalua HS |
| Dee Maggitt |
DB |
5-10 |
175 |
Fr. |
Tacoma, WA/Lakes HS |
| Christian "Bubba" Poueu-Luna |
WR |
6-0 |
175 |
Fr. |
Temecula, CA/Great Oak HS |
| Zachary Quines |
LB |
6-3 |
210 |
Fr. |
Mililani, O'ahu/Mililani HS |
| Moses Samia |
DL |
6-2 |
250 |
Fr. |
'Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Saint Louis School |
| Allen Sampson |
WR |
5-8 |
155 |
Fr. |
Tampa, FL/Plant HS |
| London Sapolu* |
OL |
6-1 |
295 |
Jr. |
Costa Mesa, CA/Orange Coast CC |
| Sean Shigematsu |
OL |
6-6 |
255 |
Fr. |
Kapa'a, Kaua'i/Kapa'a HS |
| Dominick Sierra |
LB |
6-1 |
205 |
Fr. |
Whittier, CA/La Habra HS |
| Kevin Spain |
QB |
6-2 |
205 |
Fr. |
Scottsdale, AZ/Paradise Valley HS |
| T.J. Taimatuia |
LB |
6-3 |
225 |
Fr. |
Hawaiian Gardens, CA/Artesia HS |
| Marcus Umu |
DB |
6-1 |
190 |
Fr. |
'Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Saint Louis School |
| Beau Yap |
DL |
6-2 |
245 |
Fr. |
Pearl City, O'ahu/Kamehameha Schools |
| * denotes already enrolled in school |
|
|
|
|
|
Kody Afusia (OL, 6-3, 285, Fr, Midway City, Calif./Ocean View HS)
Named first-team all-league as a junior and senior…played both sides of the ball as an offensive guard and center and defensive tackle…named Golden West League's Defensive Player of the Year…selected to the all-CIF Southern Division first team on offense…also competed in wrestling, where he compiled a 32-10 record in the 285-pound division…picked UH over San Jose State and Montana State…sister plays Division I softball at Arizona State.
Samson Anguay (WR, 5-8, 155, Fr, 'Ewa, O'ahu/Campbell HS
Three-year varsity letterman…rated the 27th best recruit out of the state of Hawai'i…named to Honolulu Advertiser Division II all-state first team in 2008 and to the second team in 2009…played slot back, running back, and kick returner…as a junior, helped team win the OIA White Division…finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.1 seconds) in the state track championships as a junior…competed in the Hawai'i/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl.
Darius Bright (WR, 6-5, 225, Jr., San Francisco, CA/College of San Francisco)
Enrolled at UH in spring semester…played two seasons at City College of San Francisco…caught 21 passes for 227 yards and four TDs in eight games in 2009…clocked in the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds…picked UH over Oklahoma.
Played one season at Long Beach City College…recorded 14 tackles, including four for loss,
three sacks, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in 2009…signed with Utah out of high school and redshirted during 2008 Sugar Bowl season…lettered four years in football and basketball for Temucula Valley High in California...named to all-CIF, all-valley and all-league in basketball...member of two league championship teams in basketball…honor roll all four years of high school.
Played for one of the top-rated schools in Texas which won the District 11-5A league championship with a 12-2 record…earned all-state and all-district first team honors…also honorable mention all-East Texas… finished the regular season with 25 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 20 quarterback pressures…ran track and was the anchor of the 4x100-meter relay team…grandfather, Fred, played for the Washington Redskins and was an original member of the infamous Hogs offensive line…father and two uncles were All-American football players…also recruited by Utah, Illinois, and Southern Miss.
Two-way player who played linebacker and fullback…rated the 32nd best middle linebacker and ninth best fullback in the country by one scouting service…ranked No. 36 recruit in the Northwest region and 15th best in the state of Hawai'i…led the team with 89 tackles…also had two sacks and two interceptions…competed in the All-American Bowl in Austin, Texas, where he had eight tackles…picked UH over Arkansas, Arizona, and Oregon State.
Ipulasi Eselu (DL, 6-2, 215, Fr., Waipahu, O'ahu/Moanalua HS)
Played linebacker at Moanalua…named Honolulu Advertiser Division II all-state first team…also selected all-OIA White Division…ranked as the 28th best recruit in the state of Hawai'i…participated in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl…brother Savai'i is a tight end at California.
Calen Friel (DL, 6-2, 260, Fr., Kane'ohe, O'ahu/Kailua HS)
Did not play in his senior year due to season-ending injury…ranked the 11th best recruit in the state of Hawai'i…also rated the 49th best weakside defensive end in the country… competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl.
Tyler Hadden (PK, 5-11, 175, Fr., Whittier, CA/California HS)
Rated 11th nationally as a kicker and 19th as a punter by Chris Sailer Kicking…participated in the National Kicking Camp and was selected to the “Top 12” in the seniors/junior college/transfers category…as a senior at California HS, converted 9-of-10 field goals with a long of 47…also averaged 40 yards per punt…named to the all-CIF Southeast Division first team…team advanced to the semifinals of the Southeast Division playoffs.
As a senior, had league-leading 10 interceptions in 14 games and returned three for touchdowns…also had 65 tackles and five blocked kicks…named to MaxPrep's All-California Division I second team and all-CIF Southern Section…also selected to Riverside Press-Enterprise all-Area team and all-Inland Valley County…helped team finish 10-0 in the Southwestern League…two-time all-league performer…blocked 26 kicks during his varsity career, a new state record…also had 18 career interceptions, 140 career tackles, scored 10 touchdowns and set a school record with 38 career starts…also competed in the Inland Empire All-Star Classic…father played two years for the Chicago Bears.
David Katina (DL, 6-2, 225, Fr., Ottoville, American Samoa/Fa'asao Marist HS)
Attends Kanana Fou High School but played for Fa'asao Marist High School in American Samoa…named all-league first team as a senior and all-league honorable mention as a junior…selected to represent American Samoa on the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Team that played Team USA…also played in the Samoa Bowl… attended Word of Life Academy as a freshman and Campbell High School as a sophomore…picked UH over Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, SMU and Tennessee.
Corey Lau (WR, 5-8, 145, Fr., Honolulu, O'ahu/Kailua HS)
Two-sport athlete who was also the starting point guard for the Surfriders' Division II state
championship basketball team…in 2009, led Kailua High School in receiving with 35 receptions for 501 yards and five touchdowns…a two-time all-OIA Red East selection…also selected as Honolulu Advertiser all-state honorable mention…participated in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl and was the East team special team MVP…named to Honolulu Star-Bulletinhonorable mention all-state and first team all-OIA in basketball in 2009…attended Saint Louis School as a freshman and sophomore.
David Lefotu (OL, 6-4, 290, Fr., Pearl City, O'ahu/Pearl City HS)
Three-sport athlete who also competed in wresting and basketball…rated No. 33 best recruit in the Northwest region…ranked 18th best offensive guard in the country…named Honolulu Advertiser Division II honorable mention all-state…picked UH over California and Wyoming.
Tu'ulauena Lolohea (LB, 6-2, 240, Fr., Pearl City, O'ahu/Kapolei HS)
Rated the 12th best recruit out of the state of Hawai'i and 82nd best in the Norwest region…also ranked the 35th best inside linebacker in the country…as a senior, recorded 86 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, one blocked kick and two interceptions…named the MVP of the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl…transferred from Radford High School…also recruited by Arkansas, Arizona and Colorado.
Frank Loyd (OL, 6-5, 275, Fr., 'Aiea, O'ahu/Moanalua HS)
Two-year starting left tackle…rated 30th best recruit in the state of Hawai'i and 99th in the Northwest…also ranked as the 99th best offensive guard in the country…named to Honolulu Star-Bulletin third-team all-state and Honolulu Advertiser Division II first-team all-state…all-OIA White Division…competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl.
Rated 39th best recruit in the Northwest region and the best cornerback in the state of Washington…named Seattle Times Class 3A all-state first team…competed in the Hawai'i/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl and had four pass breakups and two tackles…starting point guard on the basketball team and member of the 4x100 relay team…picked UH over Washington and Washington State.
Christian “Bubba” Poueu-Luna (WR, 6-0, 180, Fr., Temecula, CA/Great Oak HS)
Played quarterback and receiver…named first-team all-CIF, all-valley and all-league…honorable mention all-area…threw for over 1,700 yards, rushed for 754 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns in 15 games as a senior…ran track and set the school record in the 200-meter dash,
Zachary Quines (LB, 6-3, 210, Fr., Mililani, O'ahu/Mililani HS)
Rated the fifth-best recruit in the state of Hawai'i and 88th in the Northwest region…ranked the 17th-best inside linebacker in the country…named to Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state second team…two-time all-OIA first team…competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl…also recruited by Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington.
Moses Samia (DL, 6-2, 250, Fr., 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Saint Louis School)
Three-year varsity letterman…played fullback and defensive end…two-time first team all-ILH and Honolulu Advertiser all-state honorable mention as a junior…four-year ILH scholar-athlete…invited to play in Samoa Bowl…competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl…picked UH over Baylor…also played baseball and earned Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state third team honors in 2008 as a catcher and '09 as a first baseman…possible Major League Baseball draft pick…also recruited by Baylor and Weber State.
As a senior, caught 56 passes for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns…named to the all-county first team…averaged 31.6 yards on kickoff returns and 14.8 yards on punt returns…member of two-time Florida state championship team…as a junior, hauled in 49 catches for 788 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to the all-state second team…can run 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds…also recruited by Syracuse, Toledo, Florida International, and Florida Atlantic.
London Sapolu (OL, 6-1, 295, Jr., Costa Mesa, CA/Orange Coast CC)
Enrolled in UH in the spring semester…played two seasons at Orange Coast CC…named to all-SCFA Southern Conference team...attended Costa Mesa High School…father Jesse, played for UH and was a four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers…picked UH over Tennessee.
Three-sport athlete…named to Honolulu Advertiser Division II all-state honorable mention…also selected to all-league first team…played on the basketball and volleyball teams…an all-league performer in volleyball…also recruited by Wyoming and Utah State.
Dominick Sierra (LB, 6-1, 205, Fr., Whittier, CA/La Habra HS)
As a senior, finished with 61 tackles and three interceptions…named the CIF Southwest Division defensive player of the year and first-team honors…member of three-time CIF Southwest Division championship team…two-time all-league and all-area selection…also recruited by Nevada, UNLV, and San Diego State.
Kevin Spain (QB, 6-2, 205, Fr., Scottsdale, AZ/Paradise Valley HS)
Three-sport letterman in football, baseball and lacrosse…two-way player who played both quarterback and safety…rated as the 13th best recruit in the state of Arizona…ranked 30th best dual-threat quarterback in the country…passed for 1,216 yards and 13 touchdowns in a run-oriented offense as a senior…also rushed for 268 yards and three scores…earned first-team all-region and all-state as a safety and honorable mention all-region as a quarterback…participated in the Elite 11 Regional Camp in Las Vegas…as a junior, named honorable mention all-region after passing for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns with two interceptions and a 59 percent completion rate…picked UH over New Mexico State and Northern Arizona.
T.J. Taimatuia (LB, 6-3, 225, Fr., Hawaiian Gardens, CA/Artesia HS)
Two-time all-league and all-CIF Southern Section first team selection…as a senior, recorded 115 tackles and six sacks …as a junior, tallied 124 tackles, including 19 for loss, 10 sacks, and six forced fumbles…selected as Suburban League's defensive player of the year in 2008.
Marcus Umu (DB, 6-1, 190, Fr., 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Saint Louis School)
Three-year varsity letterman…also lettered four years in basketball…rated the 24th-best recruit out of the state of Hawai'i and 97th in the Northwest region…named to Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state first team…two-time Honolulu Advertiser Division I all-state second team…also a two-time all-ILH first team pick…competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl and Samoa Bowl…also recruited by Washington.
Beau Yap (DL, 6-2, 245, Fr., Pearl City, O'ahu/Kamehameha Schools)
Two-sport start who competed in football and wrestling…rated the 20th-best recruit in the state of Hawai'i...named the Honolulu Advertiser Division I co-defensive player of the year and first-team all-state…Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state second team…also a two-time all-ILH first team pick…member of Division I state championship team as a senior…competed in the H.U.B. Goodwill Hawai'i Senior Bowl…placed fifth at the state wrestling championships as a junior in the 215-pound division…picked UH over Baylor.
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