UH Recruit Bio

CHRIS LEATIGAGA

POSITION: DEFENSIVE END

HEIGHT: 6-5

WEIGHT: 250

LAST SCHOOL: FOOTHILL COLLEGE

Hometown: Los Altos, Calif.

Notes: Named second-team Junior College All-American, and first-team all-area, and first-team all-league in 2006...runs a 4.8 40-yard dash...recorded 55 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 2006...played defensive tackle in 2005 and defensive end in 2006...helped Foothill College to a 10-1 record and Silicon Valley Bowl victory in 2006...rated a three-star player by Rivals.com and Scout.com...chose Hawai'i over Idaho, San Jose State and Portland State.

Jones says: "This kid is a big-time player. Of all the kids that we signed, I was most impressed with his size and how he played on film. He's very aggressive, he's big, and can run. Once he sees the football he's fast, he has another gear to go get the quarterback. I think he's definitely going to have an impact for us on defense right away".

MATAGISILA LEFITI

POSITION: OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE

HEIGHT: 6-1

WEIGHT: 290

LAST SCHOOL: MATER DEI HS

Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif.

Notes: Played both offensive guard and defensive tackle at Mater Dei...named second team all-county and all-league in 2006...rated a two-star player by Rivals.com.

Jones says: "Sila is a guy that I met four years ago when I took a trip to American Samoa. I think he will compete for a job this year. It's not very often that freshmen come in and compete right away, but I think this kid is in that caliber. He's got great balance and does all the things we teach on the offensive line very well."

ELIJAH LESU

POSITION: WIDE RECEIVER/SAFETY

HEIGHT: 5-10

WEIGHT: 180

LAST SCHOOL: FARRINGTON HS

HOMETOWN: HONOLULU

Notes: Named first-team All-State as an all-purpose player by the Advertiser in 2006...named 2006 OIA Offensive Player of the Year...had 43 receptions for 713 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior...also the starting point guard on the basketball team.

Jones says: "Elijah is probably the best athlete of the group. He's instinctive and has great vision. We like how he plays. He reminds us of how Chad Owens played. He has speed and quickness and we're excited about him."

JOHN MANU-OLEVAO

POSITION: OFFENSIVE LINE

HEIGHT: 6-3

WEIGHT: 315

LAST SCHOOL: KAHUKU HS

HOMETOWN: KAHUKU

Notes: Named second-team All-State as a senior...helped Red Raiders to State Championship as a senior...listed in the top 20 of all college prospects coming out of Hawai'i by Rivals.com...chosen to play in the HUB Goodwill All-Star Game in 2006...rated a two-star player by Rivals.com...chose Hawai'i over UNLV, New Mexico State and Oregon State.

Jones says: "John is exactly what we're looking for at tackle. He's powerful, got great balance, good size and explosion. We think he could potentially be one of those kids who will start for us three or four years once he learned the system. He's a very good athlete."

VAUGHN MEATOGA

POSITION: DEFENSIVE TACKLE

HEIGHT: 6-2

WEIGHT: 280

LAST SCHOOL: KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS

HOMETOWN: KALAHEO, KAUA'I

Notes: An All-State and all-league selection as a senior...chosen to play in the HUB Goodwill All-Star Game...recorded over 40 tackles and had 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries...bench presses 225 pounds 17 times...posts a 4.6 shuttle time...runs a 5.0 40-yard dash...rated a three-star player by Rivals.com...also rated the seventh-best college prospect in Hawai'i by Rivals.com...chose Hawai'i over Nevada, Boise State, Portland State and UNLV.

Jones says: "He has a tremendous chance to contribute right away. He is an instinctive, explosive player. He has the ability to make big plays. He's got that something that Keith Millard, that quickness off the ball, the ability to re-direct really fast and just looking at him, he has a chance to be a 315-pounder once he gets out here and on our weight program."

MIAH OSTROWSKI

POSITION: WIDE RECEIVER

HEIGHT: 5-9

WEIGHT: 170

LAST SCHOOL: PUNAHOU SCHOOL

HOMETOWN: HONOLULU

Notes: Led the state in receptions (81) and yards (1,317) as a senior in 2006.... also scored 10 touchdowns...a two-time All-State wide receiver, as well as a three-time All-State guard in basketball...rated a two-star player by Rivals.com...chose Hawai'i over Northern Arizona for football, and Santa Clara, Montana State and Texas State for basketball.

Jones says: "We think that Miah has a great chance to replace Davone (Bess) once he leaves. He's smart and has extreme 25-yard quickness catching the ball and getting away from people. I think he, having done a lot of what we do at Punahou, puts him a little bit ahead of most freshmen that come in."

GABE TUATA

POSITION: RUNNING BACK/WIDE RECEIVER

HEIGHT: 5-6

WEIGHT: 170

LAST SCHOOL: KEALAKEHE HS

HOMETOWN: KEALAKEHE HAWAI'I

Notes: Named second-team All-State by the Advertiser as a junior in 2005...rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2006...runs a 4.5 40-yard dash...bench presses 260 pounds...has a 32-inch vertical jump...also returned punts and kickoffs, and played cornerback.

Jones says: "Gabe is probably the most exciting player I've ever looked at, next to Barry Sanders, on tape. I don't think I've ever seen a tape like this kid's. He's got great vision and unbelievable quickness. We think that he will be a slot for us or maybe like how Michael Brewster was for us. I don't think anybody can tackle him one-on-one."

DREW UPERESA

POSITION: OFFENSIVE LINE

HEIGHT: 6-2

WEIGHT: 245

LAST SCHOOL: PUNAHOU SCHOOL

HOMETOWN: HAU'ULA

Notes: Played tackle at Punahou...expected to compete at center or guard...also participated in basketball and track...was 2006 state shot put champion...younger brother of former Warrior offensive tackle Dane Uperesa...chose UH over UNLV.

Jones says: "Drew is a little further along on pass protection than the others because Punahou runs similar schemes to our scheme. He's got great natural balance and he's going to be a pretty good pass protector for us. I think he'll be about 285 or 290 by the time he arrives next January. I would think that he'll be competitive right away when he gets here."