As Hawaii offensive lineman Fred Ulu-Perry prepared for his return to the Rose Bowl for Saturday’s game against UCLA, he recalled a childhood wish of playing in his dream stadium.
“I always wanted to play in Aloha Stadium,” Ulu-Perry said. “I grew up loving Hawaii football.”
That wish was fulfilled as a Saint Louis School standout and now as the Rainbow Warriors’ starting right tackle. His affinity for Hawaii also is why he left the UCLA football team after only one semester.
“I was homesick,” Ulu-Perry said. “I enjoyed my time there (at UCLA), living in the dorms, making new friends. Everything was solid.”
Ulu-Perry actually struggled over his college choice during his senior season at Saint Louis, when he received 4-star ratings. Scout.com listed him as the nation’s top high school guard; 247Sports ranked him as the No. 3 center. “It was kind of tough,” Ulu-Perry said. “It was between UCLA and Hawaii. I committed early (to UCLA), but I still took visits to Texas Tech and Hawaii.”
In the end, he decided, “I wasn’t ready to play at Hawaii yet. I wanted to get (mainland) experience first. And UCLA is a good school. It was a win-win situation. My dad told me if it didn’t work out, I could always come back. I really wanted to try the mainland first and see how things fell out.”
He signed with UCLA on Feb. 4, 2015. Ulu-Perry played in eight games that season as a true freshman. But he began to feel the tug of the islands when he received permission to travel to Hawaii for the Thanksgiving weekend. A month later, the tug became a drive. He then requested — and received — a release from his UCLA scholarship, enabling him to become newly hired Nick Rolovich’s first recruit as head coach.
“When I was here for Christmas, it really brought me joy that I made the right decision,” Ulu-Perry said.
In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Ulu-Perry redshirted in 2016. Although he was not allowed to play in games that year, he practiced as the No. 2 center, engaging in ferocious battles against the defense in team drills and scrimmage-like sessions. But Ulu-Perry experienced personal and medical issues, and did not practice in the final three weeks of the regular season. He also was held out of spring practice this past February and March. In April, he rejoined the Warriors for the offseason conditioning program.
“Everything is good,” Ulu-Perry said. “I’m truly grateful to be out there practicing and playing in games.”
Although he was projected to play guard or center, he has started the first two games at right tackle. At 6 feet 2 and 305 pounds, Ulu-Perry is the shortest right tackle in the Mountain West, where the average is 6-5 1/2. Ulu-Perry relies on a long reach and grit to attack defenders.
“It’s more challenging,” he said of right tackle, “but I’m always down for a challenge.”