Maninoa Tufono‘s numbers for the day are 37, 14 and 2.
The Punahou linebacker has 37 Division I offers (second only to Saint Louis defensive lineman Faatui Tuitele‘s 39 among Hawaii seniors-to-be). Tufono whittled that number down to 14 finalists earlier this month.
The 2 represents the number of colleges Tufono is taking unofficial visits to this weekend — Washington and Oregon.
Tufono, however, does not plan on making a decision on where he will play in college until after his senior season of high school ball with the Buffanblu.
“Just got to our gate and heading out to Seattle in about an hour,” Tufono said via cellphone Thursday afternoon. “Will arrive 10 at night, go to sleep, take my unofficial at UW (Friday). Got the whole itinerary, meet with coaches, learn about the school and the education.”
Tufono said he would make the four-hour drive to Eugene, Ore., sleep there Friday and visit the Ducks’ program Saturday.
“I have a great amount of trips coming up in June that I haven’t set up yet, he said. “Will be going to LSU, Texas, maybe Alabama.”
Tufono said his five official visits will come after football season.
“I’m going to take my time,” he said. “I’ll narrow my list right before the season and then take the official visits in winter.”
Tufono hasn’t lost sight of the upcoming season.
“We just started spring ball this week,” he said. “Great turnout. The main thing for us is focusing on each other, doing things the right way and finishing strong, whether it’s a drill, a rep, running to get water. It’s focusing on the little things, mastering the little things. Trying to lead my team at practice and trying to bring that koa trophy home.”
Boy can play. Just think that Miki has a slight edge on him. Just my opinion