Decisions, decisions
It was signing day, and in a surprising coast-to-coast twist, one of Hawaii’s top defensive linemen decided to change his commitment.
He thought about it, prayed on it, consulted with family and friends, and then made the decision.
And that’s how Kamehameha’s Jonah Kahahawai-Welch, who had earlier committed to Navy, became a Warrior.
Things happen.
People have different dreams. (Mine mostly involve taking an exam for a class I didn’t attend all semester. Or falling. I do a lot of falling when I’m asleep.)
But I digress.
After signing a scholarship agreement with UH yesterday, Saint Louis receiver Jonah Panoke said: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now it’s locked in. I’m a Warrior now.”
He said he grew up following the Warriors, “going to the games, hoping to change the program around and start a movement of more local boys staying home.”
Some stay, some go. That’s part of college football recruiting.
Uno!
Dos!
ST,
Your dream means that you should have been an engineer instead…….’cuz that is the typical engineers’ nightmare.
Sounds like the North Shore connection (Atuaia, Anae, Reed, Mariteragi, etc.) dissuaded the Faumui family away from UH.
Other than Jonah Kahahawai-Welch, why does it seem that most of these last-minute Signing Day flips (Jeremy Perry, Taylor Taliulu, Tui Tuileta) go against UH?
let’s build on what we have and make Hawaii proud — coaches, players, fans, etc!
would any ACC team, especially Virginia, be willing to do a “home ‘n home” series?
kapakahi:
perhaps the gleem and glitter of promises sway parents and players.
promises made, promises broken — not saying it will happen — only player will be affected.
AH,
That would only help further open up the recruiting pipeline from Hawaii to UVA.
Kapakahi:
I have no real insight, but from out an outsider’s perspective, I would think there’s a “Plan B” element. I would think some feel that they can go away and then if it doesn’t work out, come back to UH. After all, UH recruited them hard.
It’s a personal choice.
I’ve seen people go away and it’s great.
I’ve seen people go away, come back and it’s great.
I’ve seen people go away, want to come back but there’s no scholarship available or, worse, no place to return.
If I were UH, I would make it clear that if you go away, we wish you well but there might not be an opening for you if you want to return. It wouldn’t be fair to UH and it wouldn’t be fair to the player. You gotta be all in on the decisions you make.
did Rolo save a scholie or 2 for someone that pops up late or maybe a transfer?
Anything behind this yet to be released “bad news” rumor going on with the program?
https://twitter.com/NickRolovich/status/961440213565231104
https://247sports.com/college/hawaii/Board/102452/Contents/National-Signing-Day-Thread-114791121?Page=5
ST,
I agree that the “Plan B” mentality definitely exists with the local HS recruits who sign elsewhere. But very few have transferred back home from Power-5 programs for awhile now. Other than Tuileta, none on this past season’s team..
10 coach rolo in his interview ssid they have 1 remaining. I think they looking for a QB
Just looking forward to watching a rejuvinated defense with the new coaches. Plus all the new D-line recruits make for an exciting upcoming season. Go Warriors !!!
Excellent post, Stephen! Everything happens for its own reasons. Main thing, we see the Warriors rise!!!
Ditto, great post.
Good Luck to all Hawaii’s high school athletes who signed on the dotted line yesterday. Wish them well.
A positive recruiting class. I still remember some old, old, old days when UH had to recruit marginal OIA/ILH recruits becuz they could not get any quality mainlanders. Currently, when quality recruits come here, I give major props to the coaching and admin staff.
al, I left you a msg on voicemail. Pls call me when available.
bg
btw, who dat guy gobows33 on WSN mentioning some very very bad news? dat guy credible or what?
#19,
Very.
#19,
We all just have to wait and see how bad the news will be.
Photo gallery of the National Letter Of Intent Fundraiser last night.
http://www.nakoa.org/portfolio/2018-national-letter-of-intent-event/
must be credible, bruddah get almost 5,000 posts and rated 2 stars. is gobows33 and jeezy the same person?
Yup they one in the same
Seems to be a player(s) status as the coaches of note were at the NLOI fundraiser. Oh boy…
Maybe ursua?
Ulu Perry?
It’s been 7 years since a winning season-just signed a solid deep class. I can not in my wildest dreams think of any departure, one or more that would have an effect on the reset-that includes those that have departed. All along believe that we’re headed the right direction don’t want to be part of it-step aside! GoWarriors!!!!!
I just hope it’s not a health issue athletically or personally. Better yet, I hope it’s nothing at all.
gobows33 is credible. He’s thrown some nuggets here and there that are most of the time spot on. Makes me think he is an insider, or has good sources inside.
Wonder what we look like now. I was taught as a youngster to build a football team, that you start down the middle with six. And then add four. Down the middle with three on offense and three on defense. Add two more positions on offense and two on defense.
Down the middle:
Offense:
Center/QB/RB
Defense:
NT or DT/Mike or Mac Backer/Safety
Add Offense;
Left Tackle/#1 Receiver
Add Defense:
Superior Pass Rusher/Shut Down Corner
We need to find guys to fit in those positions:
C – Tui Eli (Solid)
QB – ?
RB – ?
LT – Ulu-Perry? If Healthy
WR – Ursua (Solid)
DT – Moala/Akoteu/Choi?
MB – Jahlani Tavai (Solid)
Safety – ?
Pass Rusher – ?
Corner – Farris (Solid)
Looking forward to answering the question marks during the spring. Although QB might be a game time decision before the Navy game.
I anticipate Jeremy Moussa or Cole Macdonald may start. Just my guess.
#35. To clarify. At quarterback.
Correction. #32. I apologize for the typo.
Who will be calling the run and shoot O? Hope its not the same like last year!
Wednesday was a huge day in the University of Hawaii Football program. Hawaii added 17 bigs into the program. No Hawai’i coach has ever done that before. If Rolo can maintain a yearly commitment to adding at least 10 to 12 linemen per year, the program will turn around permanently. When Hawai’i is s consistent contender for the MWC championship, and can consistently finish in the top 40 nationally, then more local boys will stay home.
Athlete:
•Jonah Laulu 6-5 245
OL(5)
•Kohl Levao 6-5 320
•Gene Pryor 6-3 312
•Ernest Moore 6-7 301
•Alex Dalpe 6-4 300
•Solo Vaipulu 6-2 280
•Kamuela Borden 6-4 235
•IIm Manning 6-4 250
•Thomas Wade 6-6 245
DT(2)
•Blessman Ta’ala 6-1 285
•Justus Tavai 6-3 275
#Foi Sila 6-0 295
DE(2)
•Mason Mataafa 6-5 235
•Jeffery Keene 6-4 230
•Derek Thomas 6-3 225
•Zach Ritner 6-3 240
•Jonah Welch 6-2 225
9.
Players shouldn’t use Hawaii as its safety school.
Kahahawai-Welch made the right choice.
I could either play for Hawaii or be aboard a submarine in the Yellow Sea.
Sometimes God tells you to stay(Kahahawai-Welch), and sometimes God tells you to go(Huff).
Hawaii’s shooting guard has 24 free throw attempts.
If she can match Sarah Toeaina’s intensity, the team will benefit.
New football post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45398
New baseball post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45397