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Friday, July 03, 2009

Hawaii All-Poly Camp Hot 11

HONOLULU – Around 300 of the top Polynesian prospects from the islands of Hawaii, some from the mainland and even some visitors from American Samoa were gathered to compete in the inaugural Hawaii All-Poly Camp in Honolulu this week. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons took in all the action at the camp and takes a closer look the Hot 11 performers from the three-day event.

Top performers listed below in alphabetical order.

Hawaii All-Poly Camp Hot 11
6-3/210, Kapolei (Hawaii) High
As far as upside and ceiling, Akuna was the most talented senior prospect in Honolulu. He is a tall, lengthy linebacker that flies around the football field. Akuna truly plays the game sideline to sideline and is very natural in pass coverage. In fact, he's versatile enough that he will be playing safety as a senior in high school – among several other positions. As Akuna adds weight in college and learns to play with a good pad level he has a chance to be an absolute star on the next level.
6-5/285, Honolulu (Hawaii) Word Of Life Academy (Class of 2011)
The sky is the limit for Asiata. He has only been playing football for two years and he already showed that he is very coachable and eager to learn. He is only a rising junior, and in only a couple of days of teaching, he already was making great strides in his development. That is scary considering the level of dominance that Asiata was playing with. Asiata has great size, very good feet and he loves the physical battles in the trenches. If he continues to develop, Asiata could be a rare nationally recruited Hawaiian next year.
5-11/215, Kahuku (Hawaii) High
You know what you are getting with Fehoko. The true inside linebacker plays with a high intensity level, is a sure tackler, takes great angles, pursues with speed and aggressiveness and has a very physical mindset. At times Fehoko is too eager to get downhill and his height leaves something to be desired but you never have to worry about effort level and presence with Fehoko. His passion for the game alone is going to ensure that he continues to find success on the next level.
6-3/240, Kailua (Hawaii) High
It is not surprising that Friel holds an offer from the University of Hawaii after camping there recently. In fact, if Friel were able to camp at multiple colleges on the mainland, there's little doubt that he would have multiple offers at this point. Not only does Friel have a great first step but he has a motor that won't quit and unlike many of the Hawaii prospects, size is not an issue. At 6-3, 240 pounds, Friel's size will not scare anybody off. In fact, teamed with his athleticism, Friel's size is a major asset turning the corner as a weakside defensive end.
6-2/255, Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou
Fuimaono has scholarship offers from Arizona, Washington and Hawaii so he is not exactly an unknown to college coaches but he proved over the three days of camp that he is certainly deserving of a Pac-10 offer list. Despite somewhat limited size (6-2/255), Fuimaono is very tough to block. The state heavyweight wrestling champion makes great use of his hands, uses his leverage well and is very physical. His constant presence in the backfield was impossible to miss, even when he wasn't actually making the tackles.
6-2/225, Kapolei (Hawaii) High
Lolohea was part of a linebacking corps that was deep and talented. A squatty, downhill player, Lolohea is a physical run-stuffer. He is a fullback's nightmare with his physicality at the point of attack and he moves well laterally for a physical inside player. Already with an offer from Hawaii, Lolohea impressed Oregon State at a recent camp and could be in for his first Pac-10 offer by the end of the summer. This week he showed that he certainly has the size, mentality and strength to compete at that level.
6-1/270, Kahuku (Hawaii) High (Class of 2011)
At only 6-1, Napeahi doesn't have the upside of a bigger lineman like Asiata but right now, Napeahi is the best offensive lineman that competed at the camp. Only a rising junior, Napeahi is a definite BCS player at offensive guard or offensive center. His skill set offers the complete package. He has a powerful base, great feet, strong in the upper body and he loves finishing his blocks. With three more inches on him, Napeahi could have been identified as the top prospect in the camp regardless of class.
6-4/265, Waialua (Hawaii) High
Rowley, a BYU commitment, was impressive both in his size and his athleticism. He lines up at defensive end at 270 pounds and was a tough task for the offensive tackles to handle. However, Rowley is very capable of moving inside to defensive tackle. On the next level, as Rowley gets comfortable with the inside, his athleticism provides loads of potential on the defensive line.

6-2/270, Waianae (Hawaii) High
Similar to many of the talented defensive players in attendance in Honolulu, Tanielu has less than ideal height for a defensive tackle. He is only around 6-1 but he is much heavier and thicker than he looks due to his thick lower body. In one-on-ones there may not have been another defensive lineman that was more consistently dominating. His array of pass-rush moves made him virtually unblockable but when it was time to scrimmage he showed that he has more than enough ability to move the line of scrimmage and occupy blockers as well. Though he is offerless right now, Tanielu is one that certainly warrants several major offers.
6-0/235, Honolulu (Hawaii) Moanalua (Class of 2011)
An intriguing rising junior, Villasenor was the most dangerous offensive matchup of the week. He lined up at tight end and did loads of damage working the middle of the field and seem routes. He showed very sure hands, versatility and body control, making catches while taking hits and contorting his body to adjust to a variety of passes. In college Villasenor likely plays a tight end/H-Back hybrid position and will be a definite name to watch. After missing almost all of his sophomore season with an injury, expect to hear big things out of Villasenor over the next two years.
6-1/215, Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha School
In a way, Yap was too good. From the perspective of nearly all of the skill players, the camp would have been much more productive if he wasn't around. With Yap lining up at defensive end, any opposing quarterback struggled to get productive reps and in turn, few receivers and defensive backs got much action either. That was how disruptive Yap was off of the edge. His speed and relentlessness on the pass rush was extremely effective and the high-energy prospect made a major statement once the pads were donned.

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