Former Kahuku defensive end Bradlee Anae and former Saint Louis offensive lineman Nate Herbig are making an impact in training camp as college freshmen.
A report on Hawaii high school football players (who did not choose the University of Hawaii) from the recruiting class of 2016 follows.
BRADLEE ANAE (Kahuku to Utah)
>> DeseretNews.com: Anae is a newcomer to watch and on the second string of the depth chart at defensive end, behind senior Kylie Fitts.
>> SLTrib.com: Anae is making waves. Came in undersized, bulked up to 243 pounds by eating six meals a day and protein shakes after weightlifting. Been banged up. “We all were really good in high school, but it’s a way different level,” Anae said. “But I like it, it’s a good atmosphere and a competitive environment. It’s only going to make this team better.”
SEAN AUWAE-McMOORE (Kapolei to Vanderbilt)
>> AnchorOfGold.com: Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said Auwae-McMoore could start from Day 1 at center. The AnchorOfGold site isn’t banking on that, but believes Auwae-McMoore could see early playing time if the Commodores continue to have problems at that position.
MICHAEL ELETISE (Kaiser to Arizona)
>> Arizona Daily Star: Eletise has worked out at tackle and center, but is focusing on guard now.
>> AZDesertSwarm.com: Eletise is one of two key newcomers on the offensive line, joining six key returnees. There is no depth chart at this point, but the site reports: “Head coach Rich Rodriguez could see this as being a strong point of the team.”
DAVID FANGUPO (Kealakehe/Cerritos College to Oregon State)
>> OregonLive.com: Fangupo, a defensive tackle, did not qualify academically.
TAINOA FOSTER (Kamehameha to Fresno State)
>> FresnoBee.com: Foster, a linebacker, is out for the season with a lower leg injury.
NILSSON GAISOA (Kailua to Washington State)
>> Spokesman.com: The site reports that Gaisoa, an offensive lineman, “will be a good player, but the 6-foot-5, 315-pound true freshman struggled against a bull rush move” that he probably didn’t see much in high school.
NATE HERBIG (Saint Louis to Stanford)
>> Stanford.Rivals.com: Herbig, an offensive lineman is not among the top six linemen, but he is among the top eight, according to offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren. “Nate has shown a unique ability to move whoever the heck is in front of him, and we’re going to find a way to use that ability,” Bloomgren said.
JORDAN IOSEFA (Saint Louis to USC)
>> LosAngelesTimes.com: Iosefa, a linebacker, tweaked his ankle at a practice two weeks ago, but the injury was not severe.
DREW KOBAYASHI (Saint Louis to Cal)
>> CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com: Kobayashi, a wide receiver, made a TD catch in red zone 1-on-1s early in training camp. The CaliforniaGoldenBlogs site went on to state: “He might not see playing time this season, but he’s definitely one to keep an eye out for the future.”
VAVAE MALEPEAI (Mililani to USC)
>> ReignOfTroy.com: Malepeai is out 6-to-8 weeks with a broken scapula (shoulder) and isn’t expected back until early October. Was turning heads at running back at camp and was possibly in line to see playing time behind three others.
McKENZIE MILTON (Mililani to UCF)
>> OrlandoSentinel.com: The site states, “The pace of Scott Frost’s Oregon-style offense only remains fast if the quarterback can make quick and clear decisions. Senior signal-caller Justin Holman could have the advantage after running UCF’s offense during the past two seasons. However, senior Nick Patti and Milton have some experience running this stye of offense.” Milton is one of six quarterbacks battling to be the starter.
NETANE MUTI (Leilehua to Fresno State)
>> Fresno bee.com: Muti, an offensive lineman, is out for the season with a lower leg injury.
HANDSOME TANIELU (Waianae/Snow College to BYU)
>> DeseretNew.com: “(Tanielu, a defensive tackle) hasn’t been able to practice, and we just need to get him back,” defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi said. “He’s been doing good when he has practiced, but he’s been slowed by an elbow, so we hope he can get back soon because he still needs work.”
JET TONER (Punahou to Stanford)
>> RuleOfTree.com: The site reports that Stanford special teams will be gold this season, and although he will probably not play, “Who has a better name than punter/kicker Jet Toner.”
RECENT UPDATES NOT FOUND FOR:
>> Caleb Chow (DE, Kamehameha to Air Force)
>> Alema Kapoi (DE, Kamehameha to Navy)
>> Keoni-Kordell Makekau (WR, ‘Iolani to Navy)
>> Hirkley Latu (DB, Kahuku to BYU)
>> Justin Matias (S, Punahou ato Air Force)
>> Wayne Taulapapa (RB, Punahou to Viriginia)
FIVE PLAYERS FROM 2016 RECRUITING CLASS at UH
>> Josh Hauani‘o (OL, ‘Iolani)
>> Kumoku Noa (WR, Kamehameha)
>> Jeremiah Pritchard (LB, Farrington/Silverado, Nev.)
>> Keala Santiago (S, Kahuku)
>> Kalaukaua Timoteo (WR, Mililani)
Great article Nick. Thanks for finding this stuff. A follow up on this class at mid season or end of season would be very appreciated. Being that recruiting is such an inexact science this tells us more about the prospects than when they signed. Over time we will ultimately know how a guy works out but this is a fun way to keep track of a given class of recruits early in their careers.
Latu and Taulapapa left on (LDS)missions
I like hearing good things of our island boys
Sucks that a lot of the guys are hurt, but that is the nature of the sport.
Awesome job men…..spread da ALOHA….:)
Good to see local boys making an impact.