Dreams for many Hawaii high school seniors will be fulfilled Wednesday when student-athletes are able to put pen to paper and sign national letters of intent to various schools in football, soccer and water polo.
Our Hawaii High School Football Recruiting Tracker will be updated throughout the day.
12:15 p.m.: Read about how faith, family and a conversation with Manti Te’o led Kapolei’s Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa to choose Notre Dame.
12:50 p.m.: Punahou’s Miki Suguturaga woke up this morning still undecided about his college choice.
1:30 p.m.: Kailua’s Christian Mejia took a laid-back approach before signing with Washington State.
3:45 p.m.: Waianae’s Onesimus Lutu-Clarke is at ease after making decision to play at Oregon State.
4:05 p.m.: Kamehameha’s Nakoa Pauole decided on Air Force over his best friend, Alema Kapoi, at Navy.
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Another banner year for football recruiting in Hawaii saw Saint Louis quarterback Tua Tagovailoa commit over the summer to Alabama, where he is already enrolled and taking classes. Tagovailoa is ranked as high as the 20th overall prospect by Bleacher Report and in the top 60 of pretty much every recruiting ranking, making him the highest-rated recruit from the islands since Punahou’s Manti Te’o, who signed with Notre Dame in 2009.
Kamehameha’s Adam Stack, who was rated as the No. 1 kicker in the class by Chris Sailor Kicking, has also enrolled early at Oregon after committing to the Ducks.
The top five uncommitted prospects from Hawaii heading into today are Kapolei DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Kahuku DL Aliki Vimahi, Punahou DL Miki Suguturaga, Kapaa OL Morris Unutoa and Kahuku LB Kesi Ah-Hoy.
Hawaii is expecting to get shut out in local recruiting for the first time in more than 20 years.
Tagovailoa-Amosa and Suguturaga, along with Kailua’s Christian Mejia, will announce at an event this morning at the Sheraton Waikiki presented by Education-1st. At least 56 student-athletes have signed up for the event.
We will keep you posted throughout the day as commitments come rolling in, beginning with the event in Waikiki. Unutoa is expected to announce during a ceremony at Kapaa at 9:30 a.m. Kamehameha will also host a ceremony for all of the Warriors’ student-athletes later in the day. Offensive lineman Nakoa Pauole took the surprise out of signing day when he committed to the Air Force on Tuesday.
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6:12 a.m.: Our Christian Shimabuku is at the Signing Day event at the Sheraton Waikiki. The namecards have Kailua’s Christian Mejia with a Washington State logo, Kapolei’s Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa with a Notre Dame logo and Punahou’s Miki Suguturaga with a Hawaii logo. Keep in mind this isn’t necessarily final. Last year players had logos on their name cards that did not match with where they eventually signed. Obviously, Suguturaga would be a huge get for the Rainbow Warriors.
6:36 a.m.: Kailua’s Christian Mejia will sign with Washington State over Hawaii.
6:51 a.m.: Kapolei’s Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa will sign with Notre Dame. He will be the first recruit from Hawaii to sign with the Irish since Kahuku’s Kona Schwenke in 2010.
Tagovailoa-Amosa offers: Air Force, Arizona, Army, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Navy, UNLV, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington.
6:52 a.m.: Punahou’s Miki Suguturaga will sign with Utah. They switched out his name card before the start of the program. Suguturaga will join Mililani alum Jordan Agasiva, who signed with the Utes today out of Pima C.C. in Arizona.
Suguturaga offers: Arkansas, Arizona State, Army, BYU, Colorado, Hawaii, UNLV, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington State.
We will have more from all three later this morning.
6:56 a.m.: It is announced that Farrington QB Justin Uahinui will attend Hawaii. Imagine as a walk-on.
7:33 a.m.: Kahuku’s Kesi Ah-Hoy officially signs with Oregon State after committing to Hawaii in December.
7:39 a.m.: Utah lands another one from Hawaii as Aliki Vimahi signs with the Utes.
Vimahi offers: BYU, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, UNLV, Oregon State, San Diego State, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia, Washington State.
7:45 a.m.: Farrington QB Justin Uahinui says he will join UH as a preferred walk-on.
8:13 a.m.: Tagovailoa-Amosa said he talked to former Notre Dame standout and current Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o about committing to the Fighting Irish. Te’o had a big impact on Tagovailoa-Amosa’s decision.
Here’s a photo of the Kamehameha signees.
8:39 a.m.: Vanderbilt announces the signing of ‘Iolani defensive end Jonah Buchanan, who is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds.
9:37 a.m.: Utah finishes off a monster day in the islands with the commitment of Kapaa offensive lineman Mo Unutoa.
Unutoa offers: BYU, Central Florida, Colorado, Hawaii, UNLV, Oregon, Oregon State, San Jose State, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington State.
Utah finishes with three of Hawaii’s top six high school recruits in the Class of 2017.
FINAL BREAKDOWN
A total of 19 Hawaii high school seniors sign with Division I schools:
Utah (3): OL Mo Unutoa (Kapaa), DL Aliki Vimahi (Kahuku), DL Miki Suguturaga (Punahou)
Oregon State (3): DB Charles Moku Watson (Leilehua), LB Kesi Ah-Hoy (Kahuku), OL Onesimus Lutu-Clarke (Waianae)
Oregon (2): LB Isaac Slade-Matautia (Saint Louis), K Adam Stack (Kamehameha)
San Diego State (2): LB Seyddrick Lakalaka (Punahou), LB/DE Andrew Aleki (Kamehameha)
Vanderbilt (2): LB Feleti Afemui (Maui), DE Jonah Buchanan (‘Iolani)
Air Force (1): DL Nakoa Pauole (Kamehameha)
Alabama (1): QB Tua Tagovailoa (Saint Louis)
Boise State (1): DB Kekaula Kaniho (Kahuku)
BYU (1): OL Mango Finau (Baldwin)
Georgia Tech (1): OL Michael Minihan (Saint Louis)
Notre Dame (1): DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Kapolei)
Washington State (1): DE Christian Mejia (Kailua)
Committed⚪️ #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/geu0QicZFj
— Ali91 (@AlikiVimahi) February 1, 2017
Andrew Aleki, a linebacker, welcome to the Aztec family! #Win22 pic.twitter.com/OyJZC2VqDi
— SDSU Aztec Football (@Aztec_Football) February 1, 2017
From the 808 to the 615… Can't wait to see Feleti Afemui in the black and gold! #VUNSD17 #GoldRush17 pic.twitter.com/PiIp0Vurwm
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) February 1, 2017
11:26 a.m.: Pac-12 Network Analyst Yogi Roth called Utah signee Jordan Agasiva an “absolutely dominant player” on Pac-12 recruiting show. Expects him to play from Day 1 as a guard.
Suguturaga will most likely follow family tradition and commit to Utah! Good luck Miki! Ofa lahi atu!
No locals? why cant we recruit more locals? give more locals a chance.. mahalo
Chance? LOL Many were given. Nobody wanted them. That’s fine though. GL to all of the young men.
Sad to see Kesi sign with OSU, but his family does have a tradition of playing for the Beavers. GOOD LUCK Kesi!!!
Happy to see ND signed a local boy.
Utes are rising.
Really heartbreaking to see UH not being able to sign the top talent, but life goes on. Hopefully as Coach Rolo turns the program around, more kids in the future will see UH as a viable option.
RRFL!
No loss for UH besides Tua this local class wasn’t that great.
Commit to one school and sign with another? Shave the Beavers!!!!!!
Congrats to all the kids…. Who cares if they didn’t sign to UH… Maybe UH need to step their game up first to even have a chance. Tradition is one thing these kids look at since that has alot to do with their up bringing. What has been UH’s tradition of late? Compared to the schools these kids chose to sign with? Don’t hate, appreciate!!! Local kids leaving the island to show the country that this state get action. UH just needs to step their game up.
Makai February 1, 2017 at 9:18 am
No loss for UH besides Tua this local class wasn’t that great.
Great or not they wouldn’t have gone to UH anyways….
Local class was trash
PRIDE ROCK February 1, 2017 at 10:09 am
Local class was trash
Awww, all the homers out here hating on 17,18yr olds now smh…. apparently the pac12 didn’t think so… UH can’t compete with any of those schools right now. Don’t hate on the kids, hate on the program….
UH needs to upgrade their facilities if they want a chance at these kids. Why would the DE from Punahou want to go to UH if his High School facilities are 100 times better than the D1 University that is recruiting him? Why would the DE from Kahuku want to go to UH if his High School training room is the same if not better than the D1 University that is recruiting him?
They can walk on at UH when they can’t cut it or get home sick.
Congratulations to all that received a scholarship to play football! On the flip side, it will be interesting to see from this list how many of these young men return to play for UH.
Can’t wait to see what Rolo brings in from other parts of the world!
Why they left. Rolo is Rubbish, UH facilities is Rubbish. No brainer.
Quick question to all the UH homers, when these kids travel to mainland to participate in summer camps, is any of the UH staff at those camps also trying to recruit and show face? Or is UH banking on the fact their from Hawaii so they have home field advantage in the recruiting vs goin mainland…. this is not the previous 2000’s anymore….
Such a massive shift in perception.
I remember back in the days that public perception is that Hawaii didnt recruit enough of hawaii’s players. Now, Hawaii’s not good enough.
I commend every student-athlete that leaves the island to go to school on the continent, it can be scary, overwhelming, cold , lonely, and many other things. It also takes a toll emotionally on parents being so far away and also can be very, very expensive even with a scholarship. Nothing but respect for the families whose child goes away for school.
Alpha- so much disdain towards UH, how come? UH is a Public School.
Dangit! Thought we had a shot at Kesi! Lol! Still happy for him and all of our Hawaii boys! CONGRATULATIONS and best of luck to each and everyone of you! WELL DESERVED!!
Good luck boys! Sad for UH but their day will come!
88 February 1, 2017 at 10:36 am
UH needs to upgrade their facilities if they want a chance at these kids. Why would the DE from Punahou want to go to UH if his High School facilities are 100 times better than the D1 University that is recruiting him? Why would the DE from Kahuku want to go to UH if his High School training room is the same if not better than the D1 University that is recruiting him?
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It’s more than just facilities. It’s quality of education. It’s quality of coaching. It’s the chance to play in a Top 5 conference. For many of the kids, it’s a chance to get away from their family and mature. It’s a chance for some to get more exposure playing on national tv and in more meaningful games.
@philharmonic it’s more towards the UH homers who bash the kids and this recruiting class just because they didn’t choose Hawaii…. have yall seen the crowds at UH games compared to the schools these kids are going too? Like I said before, Tradition will catch these kids attention. What has been UH’s tradition of late? What would be your big selling point to a potential recruit? What would you say to make a kid decide UH over ND, Utah, Bama, Wash. St, San Diego St., Oregon St. Vanda, Air Force, Boise St,Oregon, BYU? The weather? Haha (selfish), expenses? Lol (you don’t think the families prepared during recruiting process), lonely? Lmao (dis ain’t the 1900’s. Social media, Skype, DM etc now days). The only thing I know these kids will miss is the food. Gimmie a reason why they should of stayed? Other then “Its home”.
Maybe if the UH coaching staff started to visit the JV games and recruit from there, they can pick up more home-grown talent. All these kids are on social media and follow other athletes from other schools, so word gets around fast on who is getting looked at. The more UH ignores the JV and even JPS Intermediate level, the more local athletes will leave the islands.
Alos, why would a student athlete want to stay when all they hear in the news is they should dump UH athletes over and over again?
UH going after the wrong Kids. June Jones never got the cream of the crop. You want to win you have to do a Little more than trying to recruit 5 star players…
Alpha- great questions and I especially like how you chose to address each of the challenges that come with attending an out of state school. I am glad that “for some” these challenges arent as great as it will be for others but nevertheless huge factors that these families take on eyes wide open when they choose to leave.
I think you already know what the answer is to your question, UH can only play the HOME card and all the benefits that come with that. FOR NOW. That would be MY selling point. Be a part of something great, have the success of the program be built upon the sweat and foundation that you have laid down brick by brick. According to your thoughts on UH’s tradition of late, that is the only card we CAN play.
For the record, I support all youth who decide to attend other schools which is all im doing. I know what I am not doing. I am not bashing the school that some of our own homegrown talent and families have chosen to represent and call their TEAM. Sometimes, the best intentions can have unintended results, its okay, it happens to the best of us.
BTW, shout out to Miki, you made it brother!! Go Utes!!
Bigrealtruth, you right. Instead of getting the lesser ranked local talent Rolo wants all these higher ranked local players. And ur right June Jones never gave up on lower star guys. Shoot even Chad Owens was one of those lower star guys. Kapolei get the State’s all time leading Rec. 100+ Jaymin Sarono, and all state safety Leonard Lee. This is just 2 of many. Oh wait, they dont run 4.3 -4.5 forty’s so they’re no good. But guess what neither does many of the mainland HS guys they offered. Rolo’s a weasel, he wants them to walk on. But he’ll take a chance on the Mainland Guys. Me thinks Rolo wants all these higher rated studs because the sooner he can get to constantly 9 or 10 wins a season, the sooner he beat it out of here for a Power Conference 5 School.
@philharmonic so stating facts like UH can’t hang with these other schools is bashing? Calling out commenter like @makai for saying. . . Makai February 1, 2017 at 9:18 am
No loss for UH besides Tua this local class wasn’t that great.
Or
PRIDE ROCK February 1, 2017 at 10:09 am
Local class was trash
Just because they didn’t sign with Hawaii? I’m just being straight up. These kids don’t have time to help rebuild UH when they have the choice to be apart of somthing that’s already established. Hawaii is “The Home Team” but it’s not the first choice for the kids of today, especially if pac12, MW, sec, acc, big10 schools are knocking at your door. Like I said, this is not the 90’/00’s. . . Those big schools have easier access to our kids with internet/social media now. And you have to understand that alot of our homegrown talent that played for UH back in the day are now coaching at those very schools, those schools now have insiders at their programs that will help get local kids looks.
@Jonboy and @bigrealtruth has a point, there is so much talent flying under the radar, J. Jones flew his ass all the way to Samoa to recruit I. Sopoaga. I don’t see C. Faamatau’s name in this article, maybe they should get on him before he chooses Washington. So much kids here man. . . don’t buy into the hype and only aim for 4/5 star cause their going to where 4/5 stars go to. Some other names I didn’t see A. Yuen (moanalua), A. Valledares (mililani), J. Olomua (mililani), F. Alualu (farrington), Sanchez bro’s (farrington), J. Sarono (kapolei), Lee (kapolei) etc… there’s so many…
Alpha-
You wasn’t praising them, that’s for sure.
No doubt you was trying to defend our local kids against these guys posting very Judgemental posts about this years class of recruits.
Your execution needs work though. Why protect one set of young men but discount the others?
Here are some of your thoughts on UH- Needs to step up game, Lack of tradition, players great or not they would not have gone to UH, UH cant compete, hate on the program, uh dont show up in the mainland to recruit,
I think these bruddahs and ohana would disagree with your take on University of Hawaii Football.
4 Steven Lakalaka RB 5-10 210 Sr. Honolulu Punahou School
5 Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea DL 6-3 240 R-Sr. Honolulu Arizona
9 Devan Stubblefield WR 6-0 190 R-So. Ewa Beach Saint Louis School
10 Makoa Camanse-Stevens WR 6-4 205 Sr. Kailua Western Arizona
12 Keelan Ewaliko WR 5-11 200 R-Jr. Wailuku, Maui Baldwin HS
13 Keala Santiago DB 6-0 200 Fr. Hauula Kahuku HS
21 Damien Packer DB 5-11 210 R-Sr. Puna, Hawaii Keaau HS
24 Samson Anguay WR 5-7 170 Sr. Ewa Beach Campbell HS
25 Austin Borengasser DB 6-2 205 R-Fr. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
27 Solomon Matautia LB 6-1 230 R-Fr. Ewa Beach Campbell HS
31 Frank Abreu WR 6-0 200 R-Jr. Honolulu Notre Dame College (Ohio)
34 Nic Tom WR 5-9 180 Fr. Honolulu Kaiser
37 Austin Gerard DB 6-1 195 R-Jr. Pearl City College of the Sequoias
41 Noah Borden LB/LS 6-1 215 So. Pearl City Kamehameha Schools
43 Tevarua Eldridge DL 6-2 230 R-So. Wailuku, Maui Baldwin HS
45 John Ursua WR 5-10 165 R-Fr. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Cedar City HS
46 Alex Trifonovitch P 6-1 180 R-Fr. Honolulu Punahou School
47 Kaiwi Chung TE 5-11 240 R-So. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
48 Ryan Tuiasoa RB 5-11 210 R-Jr. Kailua Weber State
49 Manny Williams DL 6-2 220 R-Fr. Honolulu Farrington HS
51 John Wa’a OL 6-4 315 R-Jr. Hauula Kahuku HS
53 Dayton Furuta LB 5-11 230 R-Fr. Mililani Mililani HS
54 La’akea Look LB 6-0 225 Fr. Waipahu Punahou School
58 Rashaan Falemalu LB 6-1 230 R-So. Hauula Kahuku HS
63 Taaga Tuulima6-2 DL 6-2 280 Fr. Ewa Beach Iolani School
64 Fred Ulu-Perry OL 6-2 305 So. Honolulu UCLA
65 Astoui Eli OL 6-4 315 R-So. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Kealakehe HS
67 Josh Hauani’o OL 6-4 300 Fr. Kaneohe Iolani School
70 Joey Nu’uanu-Kuhi’iki DL 6-3 260 Fr. Waianae Waianae HS
75 Kory Rasmussen DL 6-2 295 R-Sr. Ewa Beach Colorado
87 Kumoku Noa WR 5-11 175 Fr. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
88 Kalei Letoto WR 5-10 190 Sr. Honolulu Saint Louis School
88 Tumua Tuinei LB 5-9 210 R-So. Honolulu Punahou
93 Isaac Liva DL 6-5 230 Fr. Mililani Mililani
94 Ka’aumoana Gifford DL 6-4 275 R-So. Waianae Kamehameha Schools
96 Kaimana Padello DL 6-0 205 Fr. Mililani Mililani
99 Zeno Choi DL 6-3 260 So. Honolulu Kaiser HS
Jonah Sokai, Jaymin Sarono, Leonard Lee and Alaka’i Yuen….4 Players who played in the Paradise Bowl and Polynesian Bowl. Not only did those 4 Players play but they stood out and was highlight players in those games. They came out looking better then most D1 offered prospects that was playing in the same game. Seriously overlooked and makes you scratch you’re head. Not only with Hawaii’s tip guns but they produced against some of the nation’s best in that same bowl. Yet those 4 held no offers from Hawaii. I can garanz those 4 athletes could contribute to Hawaii and probably would have stayed home if given the chance…..That’s the sad part. Nobody committed from instate and UH overlooked the kids who showed up in 2 bowls games that highlighted top D1 athletes. Go figure!
@philharmonic you forgot K. Timoteo (one of my favs) but anyways. . . Not in any post was I putting down the UH players. It’s The University of Hawaii Football program that needs to step up, needs to compete, show up to mainland camps etc, not the UH players!!! When I go to UH games, it’s not to support the program but to support these kids. It’s the kids that suffered thru the Mcmackin era, Chow Era, hopefully Rolo does turn it around. But as of Feb, 1, 2017. . . University of Hawaii is not the place if you have a better option to choose from. Some people was talking about UH was where all the local Boys wntd to play, maybe 10+ years ago. Times change, Hawaii is pumping out 3,4,5 star recruits now, since you have all the names down, gimmie one name from each decade from the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s that had more offers then let’s say M. Tagovailoa-Amosa or A. Vimahi and stayed to play in hawaii….. times change, Hawaii is becoming a football factory. UH needs to catch up with the rest of the NCAA. . .
Historically, the all the top recruits from hawaii never stayed home. for those that are asking why so and so wasn’t recruited by Hawaii. Why don’t you list all the schools that these so called under the radar local boys are being recruited too. Ever thought that some or many of the local boys who wasn’t on that list didn’t qualify to play NCAA football! Don’t bash Rolo! he is bringing in more 3 star recruits this year than we have on that top 19 list of hawaii boys.
Also go back and list down all the top 5 hawaii recruits that came to hawaii when Tomey, Wags, and JJ were coaching here. They all had problems convincing the top kids to stay home! I for one feel that Rolo’s recruiting class is one the best!
alpha-
same, same. More spinning. And lets clarify, again. I agree….. that all players that have options do not have allegiance to the U of H but to make a decision that is best for their education, athletic goals and social growth. That horse is dead already.
I am very aware that it is not the 80s or 90s or even 00’s and that our beloved U of H might not be the place where “some” local boys do not want to play. I am talking about the ones that want to and currently are playing for the U of H and how disrespectful and distasteful your comments were.
With regards to naming players, no thank you. Your questions only lead to answers that support your argument, of which I am not at odds with.
I support local boys and the program, on social media and in person. I am a product of UH and its football team. I am a part of the brotherhood. You talk about supporting the local boys and in the same breath bash the program that they have committed their heart and soul. Naive, lack of tact, just plain no care, I dont know. Of course, this is just my take on it and you have yours.
I do appreciate the civil discourse and look forward to talking story in the future. Go Bows.
@philharmonic I’m just being honest when it comes to UH as of late. My original gripe here was with the comments bashing the kids and their college choice and calling this year’s recruiting class as “Not that great” or “was trash”. Thats totally uncalled for just because the home team lost out on some good talent. “Homers” will defend their team thick and thin but not be honest with themselves with the flaws within the program. My comments may seem disrespectful or distasteful to you and some may agree with my comments but it is what it is. One .500 season and a bowl win is a step in the right direction, but it’s not gonna overshadow the last 10yrs. More wins, upgrades to the facilities etc. . . Offer somthing more to these kids other then the comfort of home. UH’S future a still a mystery to some of these kids. IMO, if Rolo keeps the momentum going like this maybe in 4/5 years they’ll be able to keep some big names from leaving. You gotta give a new head coach 3yrs to establish himself.
@alpha, you are not bashing the kids. You are telling the truth. It is an anomaly for any kids with offers from schools withing the Power 5 Conferences to choose Hawaii. And why should they want to?
For everyone that was listed on that long UH list, I am pretty confident most of them wouldn’t have gone to UH is Oregon, UCLA, USC, or Washington came knocking at their door. UH was probably the best and/or only offer.
Fred von Appen was not the right coach for Hawaii but his coaching staff made the time commitment and devoted resources to sign as many local boys as possible. In 1998, 16 signed scholarship offers to attend UH. I know because I recruited 15 of them. Every single boy that went on to the mainland was at least offered a scholarship. No one was overlooked. Six out of those 16 ended up not qualifying under NCAA minimum academic requirements or were denied by UH admission office but those 10 went on to become key players in June Jones’ success.