Punahou senior Wayne Taulapapa is back on the recruiting market.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back wrote on Twitter Wednesday that he is no longer committed to BYU after a recent coaching change. Former Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall took the head job at Virginia and was replaced last week by Kalani Sitake.
“With something new comes change,” Taulapapa wrote on Twitter. “I am decommitted from BYU and have re opened my recruitment. I trust that God has a plan.”
Taulapapa won two ILH championships and one state title at Punahou and finished his three-year career rushing for 3,279 yards and 52 touchdowns in 30 games. He averaged more than 7.0 yards on his 466 carries and topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his three seasons.
Prior to committing to BYU, Taulapapa had offers from Colorado, Hawaii and UNLV.
Here’s to wishing Wayne Taulapapa all the best in light of this change in plans. This young man is an amazing running back with power, speed, agility, and the type of vision found only rarely. As a runner he reminds me of Emmitt Smith. As a young man and developing leader, he is second to none. Can’t wait to see who is smart enough to bring this guy to their program and university.