Three-sport athlete Faaope Laloulu, who excels on the football field as a 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive lineman, announced his college commitment to the University of Oregon on Saturday on social media.
Laloulu, a second-team All-State selection as a junior, held offers from Arizona, BYU, Hawaii, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Southern California, UCLA, Virginia and Washington.
Just wanna thank these for giving me the opportunity to be a student athlete at the next level.@coachjsalavea@coachmirabal#GoDucks@aaducksdc@coach_cristobal@OregonGridiron
GO DUCKS🦆 pic.twitter.com/F1Fqf7CEVc— Faaope Laloulu (@ope2flyy) June 9, 2019
Oregon is the first school to offer Laloulu’s brother, Iapani, who will be a freshman at Farrington.
With the closure of St. Francis, Laloulu, who also played basketball and volleyball for the Saints, said Saturday he will transfer to Farrington.
“I decided that on the last day of school,” he said.
Laloulu, who lives in Kalihi, said he will be looking forward to playing with people he knows with the Governors, such as the Matagi twins (Joshua and Caleb) on the defensive line and running back Selau Kalani.
“I’m gonna be ready to ball out,” he said. “Honestly, that’s all I’m thinking about.”
When he heard St. Francis was closing, Laloulu said he was planning to go to Damien, where his scholarship program would have easily transferred to. But he learned a few days later that he was ineligible to play in the ILH because he played in an offseason All-Star game.
Laloulu also said that Jonah Aina-Chaves, who threw for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons as a quarterback at St. Francis and will be a senior this year, is also playing at Farrington.
Oregon hasn’t signed a high school player out of Hawaii in its last two recruiting classes. Kamehameha kicker Adam Stack and Saint Louis linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia signed with the Ducks in 2017.
At least he ain’t going to Iolani or St Louis.
they don’t needed at Iolani or Saint Louis, enough talent already on both teams
ilh, you a fan of both Iolani and St Louis?
The bulldozer headed to the Govs Awsome ness
Ineligible to play in the ILH because he played in an off-season All Star game ? How Stupid is that.
Jayme Wight, yes is the answer, and what you like say now, huh. you cry baby you.
ILH,
Are you also a Punahou and a Kamehameha fan, or are those the only ILH teams you like?
Got a feeling this guy will be a terror in college, too bad he did not choose UH, perhaps his brother.
However, not too worried about UH, as they now have OL numbers, size, and apparent talent.
My first reaction was surprise that St Lulu hadn’t offered him. Then I read the article and that explained it. I knew there was more to the story.
wow!!! Farrington might be sleeper out of the OIA this season.
The coaches dropped the ball on this one.
Shoot, the Saints3x coaches were the staff for the rep50 game.
They didnt mention it, but a BUNCH of them played in post season games, JPS and rep50.
Dropped. The. Ball.
Oh yeah, not to mention that this young man did the rounds at Punahou and St. Louis before they found out he was ineligible. Not just Damien.
After what Farrington went through last season, and with a new coach to rebuild, this will be a spark in their program. I hope the Govs will have a winning season this coming year. The community needs something to look forward to.
ILH, are you also a fan of Punahou, Damien, and Kamehameha, too?
I am fan for all Hawaii HS sports.
I think we have the best athletes in the nation.
And the most beautiful place to play sports.