An explosive offensive weapon leads the 2017 Hawaii recruiting class, but standout defensive prospects make up the majority of the field for the Aloha State. Some have made their choices known with hard verbal commitments, while others are waiting for
An explosive offensive weapon leads the 2017 Hawaii recruiting class, but standout defensive prospects make up the majority of the field for the Aloha State. Some have made their choices known with hard verbal commitments, while others are waiting for signing day to make it official.
Here are the top 10 recruits, as listed by 24/7Sports:
1. Tua Tagovailoa (Saint Louis), QB, 6-1, 212 lbs
The dual-threat Crusaders QB has committed to Alabama and is already enrolled in classes. He had 2669 yards passing with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016. He added 727 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns and led Saint Louis to the HHSAA Open Division state championship.
ESPN Insider’s scouting report says: “In the era of the short QB being acceptable, this kid is a lot of fun to watch and highly competitive. He has an ‘it’ factor to his style of play. Shows grit and moxie and can create on his own. If you are in a pure spread with zone read QB runs he is a power five guy. Size is a bit limiting and you want to be cautious about durability, but there is a lot to like here.”
2. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Kapolei), DE, 6-4, 270 lbs
The undecided four-star DE with 16 offers is considering Notre Dame, USC, Vanderbilt and Oregon, among others.
He racked up 18 sacks during senior campaign with Hurricanes.
“Tagovailoa-Amosa is an active player that shows flashes of being able to disrupt,” ESPN’s scouting report reads. “But needs to continue to develop his game to better maximize his strengths as a player.”
3. Isaac Slade-Matautia (Saint Louis), OLB, 6-1, 206 lbs
The outside linebacker has reportedly committed to Oregon and first-year head coach Willie Taggart. His aggressiveness is what stands out to scouts.
“He’s a physical player and hits like a truck. He runs well, shows good lateral mobility and is comfortable playing in space,” said Greg Biggins of Scout.com. “He has a solid frame with room to put on plenty of mass and not lose any of his athleticism.”
4. Aliki Vimahi (Kahuku), DE, 6-3, 244 lbs
The Red Raiders defensive end is weighing nine offers, among those, USC and Virginia.
“Vimahi is a defensive line prospect with some good raw ability and is a solid player at this stage, but with room to still grow technically and physically to maximize that ability,” ESPN’s scouting report reads. “Listed as a DE, depending on scheme and physically development could develop as DT or at least bring swing potential.”
5. Miki Suguturag (Punahou), DE, 6-5, 260 lbs
Another defensive end with a long offer sheet, Suguturag is expected to sign with Vanderbilt. However, he has more than a dozen other offers on the table, including from Utah and Washington St.
6. Kekaula Kaniho (Kahuku), CB, 6-0, 170 lbs
Reportedly will commit to Boise State
7. Mo Unutoa (Kapaa) OT, 6-5, 270
Weighing offers from 12 schools, including Utah, Virginia and Hawaii.
8. Andrew Aleki (Kamehameha) OLB, 6-2, 219 lbs
Reportedly will commit to San Diego St.
9. Charles Watson (Leilehua) S, 6-2, 181 lbs
Reportedly will commit to Oregon St.
10. Feleti Afemui (Maui), ILB, 6-3, 222 lbs
Reportedly will commit to Vanderbilt.
