National letter of intent signing day on Wednesday was not filled with a bunch of surprises. Things pretty much went as planned.
Most Hawaii high school football players in the Class of 2022 who had orally committed to FBS Division I colleges previously went ahead and signed on the dotted line with those schools.
Two players switched it up: Roosevelt linebacker/defensive end Kaeo Akana decided to sign with Utah instead of his previous choice of Boise State. Also, Mililani offensive lineman Tavo Motuapuaka chose to sign with Utah State over his previous choice of Utah.
Former Mililani Receiver Jarinn Kalama Signs With BYU
Bedrock Sports Hawaii learned about a former Mililani receiver’s choice. Jarinn Kalama, who played at Wasatch (Utah) after COVID-19 hit, signed with BYU. Previously he was not on Bedrock’s recruiting radar.
Former Mililani receiver Jarinn Kalama is going to BYU.
“I am excited to be a part of Cougar nation, especially with BYU entering the Big 12 in 2023,” Kalama told Bedrock Sports Hawaii. “Having the opportunity to spend some time on the Provo campus really allowed me to see firsthand the awesome facilities and resources for the players. Playing my senior year in Utah also gave me an opportunity to attend the home games this past season. which I must admit was pretty impressive. Every game is sold out and Cougar nation comes out in full support.
Kalama, who will go on a two-year church mission before attending BYU, also gave insight into what the coaching staff is telling him.
“The coaches see me as an impact player on the offensive side of the ball, a player that is versatile and can play in the slot and on the outside,” he added. “I believe my size (6 feet 3) and speed gives me an advantage, whether playing inside or out. The coaches like my physical approach to the game, which I attribute to the style of football we play here in the islands. We may not always be the biggest out there, but here in the 808 we know how to be physical. Whether I was playing safety, reciever or returning punts, I approached the game to set the tone and play physical. I believe BYU wants me to bring that same approach to the team.”
Class of 2023’s Tausili Akana And Kahuku’s Leonard Ah You Pick Up New Offers
Former Kamehameha football linebacker Tausili Akana, who is now playing for Skyridge in Utah, has six more offers than the last time Bedrock checked the recruiting websites a few months ago. His list of offers from FBS D-I colleges is now up to 40.
Akana has also played at Wasatch in Utah in his high school career during these COVID-19 times, and there is always a chance he could decide to play for Kahuku as a senior. His father is Brandyn Akana, the Red Raiders’ basketball coach.
The latest offers for Akana are from Alabama, Baylor, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas Tech.
—-
ALSO AT BedrockSportsHawaii.com:
>> Bring It On!!!! Says Kahuku’s Liona Lefau, Bedrock Sports Hawaii’s Player Of The Week
>> Kaiser Re-Enters Bedrock Sports Hawaii Top 10 At No. 10
>> Hawaii High School Football Command Center (OIA, ILH, BIIF, MIL, KIF master schedule, scores, previous game stories)
—–
Elsewhere, Kahuku linebacker Leonard Ah You is up to six FBS D-I offers, having added San Diego State and Utah to his list.
Here’s a quick glance of those from the Class of 2022 who signed letters of intent Wednesday and recruits who didn’t sign, followed by the complete Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 listing of recruits and all of their college offers.
Quick Signing Day Glance:
>> Tevarua Tafiti, LB/DE, Punahou: STANFORD
>> Laakea Kapoi, OT, Saint Louis: SAN DIEGO STATE
>> Kaeo Akana, LB/DE, Roosevelt: UTAH
>> Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Saint Louis: ARIZONA
>> Tavo Matuapuaka, OL, Mililani: UTAH STATE
>> Jayden Maiava, QB, Liberty, Nevada (formerly Kaimuki): UNLV
>> Kona Moore, CB, Saint Louis: HAWAII
>> Keenan McCaddy, WR, Moanalua: BOISE STATE
>> Jarinn Kalama, WR, Wasatch, Utah (formerly Mililani): BYU
>> Ethan Spencer, C, Saint Louis: HAWAII
Hawaii Class of 2022 recruits who did not sign Wednesday:
>> AJ Bianco, QB, Saint Louis (oral commitment to Hawaii)
>> Blaine Hipa, QB, Chandler, Ariz. (formerly Campbell), uncommitted
>> Makanalea Meyer, WR/DB, Mililani, (uncommitted)
>> Devon Tauaefa, WR, Saint Louis, (uncommitted)
>> Mikey Agasiva, OL, Mililani (uncommitted)
Hawaii’s Class of 2022 Division I FBS College Recruiting List
Sources: 247Sports.com and Rivals.com.
Notes:
>> Additions, deletions and corrections , if applicable, can be made by emailing BedrockSportsHawaii.com to [email protected].
>> To check on Hawaii football recruiting updates in the future, go to the BedrockSportsHawaii.com home page, scroll down to find “Bedrock Sports’ Hawaii High School Football Command Center” and click the graphic.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2021
22
TEVARUA TAFITI, LB/DE, Punahou, 6-3, 222
Four-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to Stanford.
Other offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisville, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State, Syracuse, Tulane, UCLA, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin.
18
LAAKEA KAPOI, OT, Saint Louis, 6-4, 305
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to San Diego State.
Other offers: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon State, San Jose State, Syracuse, UCF, UNLV, Utah State, Washington State.
15
KAEO AKANA, LB/DE, Roosevelt, 6-3, 205
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to Utah.
Other offers: Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, Washington, Washington State.
7
JONAH SAVAIINAEA, OL, Saint Louis, 6-3, 330
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to Arizona.
Other offers: Arizona State, Hawaii, San Diego State, Syracuse, UCF, UNLV.
6
TAVO MOTUAPUAKA, OT, Mililani, 6-5, 280
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to: Utah State.
Other offers: Hawaii, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah, Washington State.
5
JAYDEN MAIAVA, QB, Liberty, Nev. (formerly Kaimuki), 6-4, 205
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to: UNLV.
Other offers: Auburn, BYU, Louisville, Tennessee.
4
KONA MOORE, CB, Saint Louis, 6-1, 185
Signed Dec. 15 to: Hawaii.
Other offers: Army, Louisiana-Monroe, Navy
3
AJ BIANCO, QB, Saint Louis, 6-3, 210
Three-star recruit committed to: Hawaii. Did not sign Dec. 15.
Other offers: Nebraska, Washington State.
2
BLAINE HIPA, QB, Chandler, Ariz. (formerly Campbell), 6-2, 192
Uncommitted three-star recruit.
Offers: Hawaii, Tennessee.
KEENAN McCADDY, WR, Moanalua, 6-3, 180
Three-star recruit signed Dec. 15 to: Boise State.
Other offer: Navy.
MAKANALEA MEYER, DB/WR, Mililani, 5-10, 170
Uncommitted.
Offers: Hawaii, Nevada.
DEVON TAUAEFA, WR, Saint Louis, 6-4, 200
Uncommitted.
Offers: Hawaii, Nevada.
1
MIKEY AGASIVA, OL, 6-2, 265
Uncommitted.
Offer: Army.
JARINN KALAMA, Wasatch, Utah (formerly Mililani), ATH, 6-3, 200
Signed Dec. 15 to BYU.
ETHAN SPENCER, C, Saint Louis, 6-2, 250
Signed Dec. 15 to: Hawaii.
Hawaii’s Class of 2023 Division I FBS College Recruiting List
40
TAUSILI AKANA, LB, Skyridge, Utah (formerly Kamehameha and Wasatch, Utah), 6-4, 225
Uncommitted four-star recruit.
Offers: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, California, Clemson, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UNLV, USC, Utah, Utah State, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin.
15
LIONA LEFAU, LB, Kahuku (formerly Sammamish, Wash.), 6-1, 210
Uncommitted four-star recruit.
Offers: Arizona State, BYU, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin.
8
IAPANI LALOULU, OL, Farrington, 6-2, 357
Uncommitted four-star recruit.
Offers: Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Miami, Oregon, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia.
6
LEONARD AH YOU, LB, Kahuku, 6-2, 187
Uncommitted three-star recruit.
Offers: Arizona State, BYU, Hawaii, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah.
3
BROCK FONOIMOANA, S, Kahuku, 6-1, 190
Uncommitted three-star recruit.
Offer: BYU, Utah, Virginia.
2
JULIAN SAVAIINAEA, DE, Saint Louis, 6-3, 241
Uncommitted.
Offers: San Diego State, San Jose State.
1
CHANSEN GARCIA, DB, Kahuku, 5-9, 175
Uncommitted.
Offer: Navy.
KAMAEHU KAAWALAUOLE, WR, Campbell, 6-4, 185
Uncommitted.
Offer: Nevada.
TRECH KEKAHUNA, WR, Saint Louis, 5-11, 175
Uncommitted.
Offer: Hawaii.
