Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai committed to Oregon during his weekend trip to Eugene, Ore., according to multiple reports online.
The 6-foot senior-to-be had an impressive list of at least 18 offers including USC, UCLA, Stanford, Nebraska, Michigan and Washington before taking up the Ducks on their offer.
Malepeai told Greg Biggins of Scout.com in a story posted today that, “it’s been a good process. Everything just felt right. The coaches treated me well and I just know I’ll be well taken care of not only on the football field but from an academic standpoint as well.”
Malepeai continues the Hawaii-to-Oregon pipeline that saw Trojans teammate Rex Manu, Punahou’s Canton Kaumatule and Kamehameha’s Dylan Kane sign letters of intent this past spring. Saint Louis alum Marcus Mariota leaves the program after being selected No. 2 in the 2015 NFL Draft but the Ducks roster is still lined with plenty of talent from Hawaii, including Punahou defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, Kamehameha’a Koa Ka’ai, Punahou’s Davis Miyashiro and Saint Louis’ Bronson Yim.
In his first two seasons at Mililani, Malepeai has carried the ball 458 times for 2,619 yards and 43 touchdowns in 24 games. If he stays healthy his entire senior season, he will likely break Joe Igber‘s career touchdown rushing record of 56 and threaten his all-time rushing mark of 4,428 yards.
Malepeai is the third Trojan to make a commitment, joining QB McKenzie Milton and WR Kalakaua Timoteo, who have both committed to Hawaii.
HPW’s list of 2016 football recruits.
3 P.M. UPDATE: Malepeai was named MVP at running back of The Nike Opening regional event in Eugene, Ore., and was invited to participate in The Opening finals, which will be held July 7-10 in Beaverton, Ore. The top 162 high school football players are invited to compete in the event. Malepeai is the second Hawaii player invited to the showcase, joining Kaiser OL Michael Eletise.
I remember had one other St Louis Samoan RB who signed with Oregon way back in the late 1980s. Tupu Alualu. He never played much at Oregon, ended up transferring to UIH to finish out his career.
That’s too bad we couldn’t get him to stay with the other Mililani players, would have been a nice start for next year.