Georgia State linebackers Jake and Louie Muasau have this ongoing game they sometimes play where they want people to think that they are twins.
Jake and Louie each have a long, flowing, black Troy Polamalu-type mane. They each wear similar tattoos. They also run to the ball with reckless abandon and have similar jersey numbers. Louie wears “38” and Jake wears “39.”
The game works so well that Jake and Louie said their position coaches sometimes can’t tell them apart.
The truth is Louie is 14 months older than Jake, and when it comes to their game, no one minds at Georgia State, because they can’t stop singing their praises during spring practices.
“The Muasau brothers are good, solid players, and I am glad they’re here,” Georgia State coach Bill Curry said.
Defensive coordinator John Thompson said the Muasau brothers have improved the Panthers’ defense with their intensity.
“Both guys are a pleasure to be around, and they are fun to coach,” Thompson said.
As much as they like being considered twins, Jake and Louie want to establish their own identities.
Jake said he’s trying to get his number changed from “39” to “35” so people can tell him apart from Louie.
Until then, people will have to tell the Muasau brothers apart by their positions.
Jake, a 6-foot-1, 243-pound junior, plays outside linebacker. Louie, a 6-foot, 235-pound junior, plays middle linebacker.
Jake, who was a receiver and linebacker in high school, plays outside linebacker with a natural flow when he moves around the field.
“Jake has a gift for getting to the football,” Curry said.
Louie has played linebacker most of his life and has a feel for skirting around offensive linemen and making big hits.
“If we’re dropping [into coverage] and there is a chance for a wide interception to be made, I would rather go for the hit,” Louie said. “Jake is more likely to go for the ball.”
The way the Muasau brothers play is a part of their Samoan heritage, which they take very seriously and give credit for making them the players they have become. They try to play with a warrior mentality in practices and games.
The brothers even have taught their Georgia State teammates and coaches the “haka” dance, which is something they used to do with their entire team after victories at Phoenix College last season.
“We just try to bring a vibe to the team,” Jake said.
So far they have succeeded.
It’s not uncommon to see their long hair bouncing up and down in a blur as they charge around the field in defensive drills and tackling work.
Playing together was an opportunity that Jake and Louie once wondered if they could continue after Phoenix College.
Georgia State was one of the top schools after Louie, and he knew he wanted to play for them.
Jake, who was offered by Nebraska while in high school, said he was looked at heavily by Colorado and Arizona, but those schools turned away after he suffered a calf strain that forced him to miss three games as a sophomore.
When Georgia State showed interest in Jake, there was no way he was going to turn down the chance to play for the Panthers.
“I wake up every day thanking God for the chance to play with my brother,” Jake said.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford classified, Matt Pelesasa, a junior-college-transfer quarterback, as a “winner.” After all, Sanford said, that’s what the 6-1, 235-pound quarterback has done his whole career.
Even though Pelesasa has had just six practices to make his mark at Western this spring, he’s already on his way to continue his winning ways.
Sanford said an injury to incumbent quarterback Kawaun Jakes over the weekend and a very productive showing in practice this week by Pelesasa have the JUCO transfer set as the favorite to win Western’s starting quarterback battle.
“Today was his opportunity to determine a legacy of his, and he did that,” Sanford said Tuesday. “Right now he is our best guy, and he was out there able and ready to perform.”
Pelesasa benefited from junior Tyler Bruce and redshirt freshman Courtney Dalcourt missing practice Tuesday because of class and a knee injury, respectively. Sanford estimated that the junior took 70 snaps in that practice.
Taggart said he was pleased with how Pelesasa responded and took advantage of the opportunity.
“We talked about competing from day one,” Taggart said. “Matt showed us today a guy that has studied film and worked on getting better.”
As for Jakes, who recently suffered a sprained ankle in a pick-up basketball game, Taggart called the injury “unacceptable.”
“He’s a quarterback on this football team that’s learning a new offense,” Taggart said. “The time that was spent over there playing basketball he could have spent learning the offense. I told him that there’s no one individual bigger than the team, and it’s very selfish to go out and do things like that and hurt the team.”
Jakes, as with all players this spring, was not available for comment.
Taggart said it’s still uncertain how long Jakes will be out, adding that he’s “not even concerned with that.”
“I’m concerned with the guys that are going to be out there to help us win ball games,” he said. “Guys can’t win a job on the sideline.”
Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen said players can’t afford to miss spring practices because of how important they are for position battles.
Last week Taggart said the defense was getting the best of the offense, but it was a different story this week with Pelesasa under center. Sanford said the offense seemed to mesh better with only one quarterback taking the snaps instead of the regular three.
Taggart said after watching Pelesasa in practice, he noticed that he has the ability to play at the Division I level and run the offense efficiently.
Although Pelesasa appears to be the Toppers’ No. 1 quarterback right now, he’ll have to compete again in the fall when freshman quarterback Brandon Doughty arrives at Western.
Western has its first official scrimmage of the spring at 9:10 a.m. Saturday at Smith Stadium. The entire scrimmage will be open to the public.
But, to be sure, this was not a usual University of Hawai'i football practice.
For the first time in four years, John Estes was not on the UH campus for the start of the Warriors' spring training.
Estes, who completed his UH eligibility in December, was in Carson, Calif., preparing for today's Pro Day. Estes had not missed a practice, game or meeting during his Warrior career as a guard and then center.
In his place, at center, was Matagisila Lefiti, who will be a junior in the fall.
Lefiti knows the expectations placed on the replacement for a player who never needed replacing.
"I have to live up to the hype," Lefiti said. "You know, people have been putting me on the spot. I have to work with that. It's tough filling those shoes. I have to go with it and do what I can. I'm here to win, and that's it."
Lefiti is slightly under-sized, at 6 feet and 292 pounds, but he makes up for it with his quickness, agility, strength and, what teammates claim, nastiness.
"He has a mean streak," left tackle Austin Hansen said.
Tommy Heffernan, who is coordinating the Warriors' strength program, gave Lefiti an offseason schedule that balanced lifting, stretching and rest.
As a result, Lefiti surpassed most of his weight-room goals. His maximum bench press was 435 pounds. He benched 225 pounds 33 times. He recorded a 330-pound lift in the clean, and a 505-pound squat lift.
"Tommy is a great coach," Lefiti said. "He really helped everyone, in general, exceed their goals."
Lefiti said he learned from serving as Estes' understudy the past two seasons.
"I'm trying to take in the offense, and get everything crisp, and just follow the lead," Lefiti said.
Hansen said he is confident Lefiti will do well at center, a leadership position that is required to relay the blocking calls.
"I've got nothing but respect for Sila," Hansen said. "No player is another player. He's not John Estes, but John Estes isn't him. They play differently. Sila is going to do his job. Sila plays tough, and he is going to expect that out of us. He's going to be a great leader for us."
First Team Offense/Defense/All Purpose QB Andrew Manley Leilehua (Wahiawa, HI) 6’3, 220, Sr First team All State selection by the Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin. Hawaii Offensive player of the year (Advertiser). Passed for 3143 yards as a senior, completing 245 of 402 passes with 35 TDs against 11 interceptions. OIA West Offensive Player of the Year. Manley lead his team to two state championship games in three seasons, including a state championship as sophomore. Signed with New Mexico State.
RB Jesse Callier Warren (Downey, CA) 5’11, 186, Sr Capped a sensational three-year career by leading the state in rushing with 3,010 yards on 300 carries (10.0 average) and 43 TDs (45 total). Rushed for 6,529 yards in three-year career at Warren. Selected first team (MaxPreps) and second team (CalHiSports) All State. Elected All Section (CIFSS-Western Division), Long Beach Press Telegram “Dream Team” Co-Player of the Year, and Los Angeles Wave Offensive Player of the Year. Signed with Washington.
RB Charles Perkins Collins Hill (Lawrenceville, GA) 6’1, 220, Sr First team All State (AAAAA) selection enrolled in January at Georgia Tech where he will play for Paul Johnson. Perkins rushed for 1646 yards and 21 TDs and another 300 plus yards rushing.
RB Josh Quezada La Habra (CA) 6’0, 210, Sr He ran for 2,114 yards on 279 carries and 24 touchdowns while leading La Habra to three straight section titles. Selected to the All-County team by the Orange County Register, Daily News Player of the Year, and the Southwest Division’s co-player of the year. In addition was named the Freeway League MVP. Quezada is a January enrollee at BYU.
WR Ross Apo Oakridge School (Arlington, TX) 6’3, 190, Sr US Army High School All-American selection. Apo averaged 22.5 yards on 36 receptions as a senior in 2009 while totaling 810 yards and 10 touchdowns. He enrolled in January at BYU and will be joined in the fall by high school teammates Teu Kautai and Tayo Fabuluje.
WR Eric Tuiloma Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV) 5’11, 200, Sr First team All State (4A) finished the season with 45 receptions, 817 yards, and 11 TDs and was the Northeast Offensive Player of the Year. Tuiloma signed to play locally at UNLV. Also a second team All State (4A) selection at defensive back.
OL Tuni Kanuch Bingham (South Jordan, UT) 6’1, 285, Sr Named a first-team All-American by MaxPreps. Four-year starter at Bingham, helping them to a 13-1 record in 2009. Named the Deseret News 2009 Mr. Football. First-team all-state as a sophomore, junior and senior. Signed with BYU.
OL Roman Sapolu Edison (Huntington Beach, CA) 6’2, 250, Sr MaxPreps First Team All State and All CIF Southern Section-Pac 5 selection. All-Orange County in 2009. Sunset League Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. Son of Jesse Sapolu, a four-time Super Bowl winner who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1983-1997. Signed with Oregon State.
OL Jiniki Timoteo Leilehua (Wahiawa, HI) 6’3, 300, Sr First Team All State (Honolulu Star Bulletin and Advertiser). First Team All OIA. Signed with Weber State.
OL Travis Tuiloma Washburn Rural (Topeka, KS) 6’3, 290, Sr First team All State (6A) selection by the Kansas Football Coaches Association as an offensive lineman and All City (Topeka Capital-Journal). Tuiloma was an All-Centennial League first-team selection as a defensive lineman. He will attend BYU this fall as defensive tackle.
OL Wade Yandall Carson (CA) 6’4, 300, Sr CalHiSports and MaxPreps All-California first team. Named to L.A. Times and Daily Breeze All-Star team. Named All-L.A. City Section. Marine League Lineman of the Year. Played at left tackle and right guard. Signed with UCLA.
DL Ricky Heimuli Brighton (Salt Lake City, UT) 6’2, 285, Sr US Army High School All-American selection. 2010 Long Beach Press-Telegram 'Best in the West' First-Team selection. First Team All State (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News). Selected Region 4 Offensive line Player of the Year. Signed with Oregon.
DL Hau’oli Jamora Kahuku (La’ie, HI) 6’3, 250, Sr Named the state's defensive player of the year by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Earned the state's Co-Defensive Player of the Year from the Honolulu Advertiser. Led Kahuku to a 12-1 record and a spot in the state championship game at Aloha Stadium. Signed with Washington.
DL Vei Moala Grant (Sacramento, CA) 6’3, 330, Jr First Team All State (CalHiSports and MaxPreps). MaxPreps Junior All American First Team. Junior Player of the Year (CalHiSports). Sacramento Bee Defensive Player of the Year and All Section selection. Recorded 104 tackles and 15 sacks.
DL Sione Potoa’e Lakes (Lakewood, WA) 6’3, 285, Sr US Army High School All-American selection. Named a first-team 3A all-state defensive lineman and to the Seattle Times all-state team, which covered all divisions ... the South Puget Sound League 3A Defensive Lineman of the Year ... also a first-team All-SPSL selection on both the offensive and defensive lines ... two-time Tacoma News-Tribune all-area selection. Signed with Washington.
DL Justin Utupo Lakewood (CA) 6’3, 250 Sr First-team defensive lineman on California Division I all-state squad as senior in 2009. Named Lineman of the Year for 2009 by Los Angeles Times. First-team defensive lineman on Los Angeles Times All-Star team for 2009. Defensive player of the year on all-Southland team named by Los Angeles Times. Named Moore League defensive player of the year as senior in 2000. Recorded 67 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, 29 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles as senior defensive tackle and tight end. Signed with Notre Dame.
LB Toloa’i Ho Ching Alta (Sandy, UT) 6’0, 220, Sr First Team 5A All State (Salt Lake Tribune), Second Team All State (Deseret News). First Team All Region. Finished the season with 81 tackles and 10.5 sacks. Signed with BYU.
LB Ofa Latu Timpview (Provo, UT) 6’1, 210, Sr Deseret News 4A MVP, Salt Lake Tribune first-team all-state, Daily Herald Utah Valley Player of the Year. Finished with 80 tackles and 5 interceptions and won three state championships with Timpview High (2007, 2008, 2009). Signed with Utah.
LB Rene Siluano Oceanside (CA) 5’10, 190, Sr Max Preps Second Team All State (DI), CalHiSports Third Team All State, First Team (North County Times, SD Tribune) A three-time all-league pick and two-time all-CIF selection. Signed with San Diego State.
DB John Hardy Vista Murrieta (Temecula, CA) 6’1, 165, Sr As a senior, had league-leading 10 interceptions in 14 games and returned three for touchdowns. Also had 65 tackles and five blocked kicks. Named to MaxPrep’s All-California Division I second team, CalHiSports third team All State and all-CIF Southern Section. Also selected to Riverside Press-Enterprise all-Area team and all-Inland Valley County. Helped team finish 10-0 in the Southwestern League. Two-time all-league performer. Blocked 26 kicks during his varsity career, a new state record.
DB Jeremy Ioane Punahou (Honolulu, HI) 5’11, 195, Sr Named first-team All-State in 2009 as an all-purpose player by the Honolulu Advertiser and first-team all-state honors at linebacker by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin...A first-team All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu selection as an all-purpose player...Played safety, running back, quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker at various times at Punahou...Helped lead team to the Hawai'i Division I state championship as a junior. Signed with Boise State.
DB Ilaiu Moeakiola Trinity (Euless, TX) 6’0, 183, Soph In his first varsity season, the safety started the last 14 games. His stellar play kept him in the lineup as he wreaked havoc from sideline to sideline. Moeakiola finished with 108 tackles, 15 pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. In Trinity's state title win, he had 10 tackles.
QB/WR Bubba Poueu Luna Great Oak (Temecula, CA) 6’0, 180, Sr Played quarterback and receiver…named first-team all-CIF, all-valley and all-league…honorable mention all-area…threw for over 1,700 yards, rushed for 754 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns in 15 games as a senior. Signed with Hawai’i.
RB/DB Maka Unufe Provo (UT) 6’1, 190, Sr First Team All State defensive back (Salt Lake Tribune), First Team All State Utility (Deseret News). Provo Daily Herald Elite 11 selection at running back. Provo's second-place Region 7 finish was keyed by the talented Unufe, who accounted for 1,500 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 28 tackles, a sack and six interceptions on the defensive side.
FB/LB Soma Vainuku Eureka (CA) 6’2, 255, Sr His 2009 honors included Super Prep All-Farwest, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Medium Schools first team and All-Humboldt-Del Norte Big Four League first team as a senior linebacker and fullback at Eureka (Calif.) High...He had 2,202 yards on 252 carries (8.7 avg.) with 38 TDs on offense and 14 tackles, 1 interception and 1 forced fumbled on defense in 2009. Eureka won the 2009 CIF North Coast Division II title. Signed with USC.
daho tight end Daniel Hardy's last position coach - offensive coordinator Steve Axman - is the author of several books about football.
So it was ironic when Hardy described his new position coach Alfred Pupunu as "a book," because "he has so much knowledge of the game and tight end position."
Pupunu, the former All-American at Weber State and nine-year NFL veteran, has definitely made an impression on Idaho's young crop of tight ends. He was hired in February.
"Alfred has played the position at the highest level so he got those players' attention from the very get go," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "He's got an intensity about him and the players all understand that. He gets their attention."
Pupunu and the Vandals completed the fourth of their 15 spring practices Tuesday. With the exception of Hardy, Pupunu is working with a young and inexperienced group of tight ends and H-backs. That's fine with Pupunu, who says he enjoys coaching because of these situations.
"What I like is teaching these guys from Day One, and seeing guys who don't know how to block or run routes and watching them get better and master it," he said. "Watching them take off is really satisfying. The only way they can learn is if you throw them right into the fire."
Pupunu played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and Detroit Lions from 1992 to 2000. But you won't hear the native of Tonga talking too much about his NFL past. In fact, if Akey hadn't told the Vandal players, most of them wouldn't have known their new coach played in the NFL or scored the winning touchdown in the 1994 AFC Championship game that sent the Chargers to their first and only Super Bowl.
"I didn't know he played in the league until they informed me," Hardy said.
What the 40-year-old Pupunu does, however, is stress how he went from Weber State to football's largest stage.
"I tell them this - if you want to take it to the next level, you've got to pay attention to the details and take care of the little things," Pupunu said. "That's something that got me through to the next level. If you want to be good at something, you've got to work hard at it. If that means coming in and watching a little more film on your own, that's what you have to do."
The NFL background wasn't what landed Pupunu his first full-time job at the Division I level. It was his ability to teach the position and his past relationship with Akey, who was a coach on the Weber State staff when Pupunu played for the Wildcats.
"A lot of times I stay away from NFL guys because a lot of times those guys come out and they're not very good teachers," Akey said.
The teaching aspect has impressed Hardy.
"Our first meeting was a one-on-one, and I wanted to tell him how I just wanted to get better going into my senior year," Hardy said. "In 5 minutes talking to him, he taught me five ways to get off the jam and how to tighten my routes and about blocking.
"I learned a lot of things from coach Axman, too. He's a genius in what he knows about offense, but to really have it narrowed down into one position from a guy who actually played it and at the highest level is great. I've learned a lot in a very short amount of time."
Pupunu technically replaced quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith on Idaho's staff. Smith left to become the offensive coordinator at Montana, and when he left, Axman went to his natural coaching position (quarterbacks). Pupunu took over as tight ends coach, perhaps strengthening the staff.
"You don't like having shakeup but sometimes you can make shakeup be a good thing," Akey said.
Stephen Paea.Massive OSU defensive tackle Stephen Paea, listed at 6-1 and 311 pounds, might be the strongest player in college football.TUESDAY, with Oregon State football:
Beavers defensive tackle Stephen Paea is relatively new to football – he was a former rugby player – and English isn’t his first language (Paea was born in Tonga) but he’s a fast learner.
In just two seasons at Oregon State, Paea has established himself as one of the premier defensive tackles in the nation.
He might be (see the YouTube video) the strongest player in college football.
The fact he’s back for his senior season – after checking out his standing with the NFL - is definitely not good news for Pac-10 quarterbacks or anybody else who gets in his way.
We spoke with Paea (who is now listed at 6-1, 311) Monday before the Beavers’ first spring practice.
First thing we wanted to know, was that really 225 pounds he seemed to effortlessly bench-press 44 times recently?
I mean, sheesh, the NFL Combine record for the bench press (since 2000) is 45 reps. The all-time mark is 51 reps, by Justin Earnest of Eastern Kentucky in 1999.
“Yeah, it was (225),’’ said Paea with a big grin.
“It was after a workout, too. … I mean, I could have done better (if he had been fresh). I’m guessing, well, I’m not going to say a number, but more than 44.’’
The mind boggles at what Paea will do at the Combine before the 2011 draft.
NFLdraftscout.com has him No. 3 for the next draft at defensive tackle, behind Marvin Austin (6-3, 305) of North Carolina, and Allen Bailey (6-4, 288) of Miami.
The next-highest rated Pac-10 defensive tackle is Arizona State’s Saia Falahola (6-1, 298).
Imagine the look of the OSU defense right now if Paea had left school a year early, especially in light of the off-season developments that took out OLB Keith Pankey (achilles), MLB David Pa’aluhi (personal reasons) and DE Matt LaGrone (personal reasons).
It had to be a tense time for Beavers coach Mike Riley when Paea’s father, Ben, was checking out Stephen’s NFL prospects for 2010.
Paea told us he received a call from the NFL Player’s Association, letting him know that he was a likely late second-round, or early third-round pick if he came out early.
With a glut of very good DTs available in this draft, it made more sense for Paea to wait another year.
But there is also the speculation that the NFL will soon have a rookie salary cap.
Presumably, a rookie salary cap would cost someone like Paea a significant amount of money.
“Exactly, exactly,’’ said Paea. “I asked (the NFLPA) about that possibility and the (person) I talked to said they didn’t think it would happen. That it was a longshot. That it would take awhile. …hopefully (there won’t be a rookie cap) next year.’’
Even so, said Paea, jumping to the NFL was tempting. “It was, because of my family situation,’’ he said.
“I asked my mom (Ana), ‘would it hurt (financially) for me to come back for another year’ and she said, no, it was my decision ... and I made my decision right then. I wanted to come back."
“I’ll get more recognized next year,’’ said Paea. “Plus, I’m coming back and finishing school (degree in Sociology) and none of my family has a degree. I’ll be the first one to get a degree, and I’ll be honored to do that.’’
Paea has been banged up for a good portion of his OSU career – nothing really serious, but debilitating nonetheless) – and we asked him if he feared getting injured before the next draft.
“Not really,’’ he said. “I’ve learned in football that the more you don’t think about injury, the more you won’t get injured. I’ll just think positive about everything.’’
QB AlexKuresaMountain Crest (Hyrum, UT) 6’0, 165, Jr
FirstTeamAllState (4A) Salt LakeTribune and Deseret News. Selected 4A MVP by the Tribune. Passed for 3549 yards, 39 TDs, and only 8 interceptions as a junior. 2011 verbal to BYU.
RB Harvey Langi Bingham (South Jordan, UT) 6’2, 220, Jr
Rushed for 1,514 yards and 21 touchdowns as the Miners won the 5A state championship. He gained 118 yards and scored once in the 35-24 title game victory against Davis.
RB Maika Polamalu Pottsgrove (Pottstown, PA) 6’0, 210, Jr
ThirdTeamAllState (AAA). Carried 166 times for 1,441 yards. Averaged an area-high 8.7 yards per carry. Finished with 18 touchdowns and 112 points overall. Also played outside linebacker, helping the Falcons to their second straight PAC-10 title and first District 1-AAA championship. All PAC-10 selection.
RB Ryan Ho Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama (Honolulu, HI) 5’6, 175, Sr
FirstTeamAllState selection by Honolulu Star Bulletin and Advertiser. Offensive player of the year (Star Bulletin) and ILH offensive player of the year. Rushed for 1530 yards and 19 TDs in leading the Warriors to a State Championship.
WR ShaydonKehanoCastle (Kane’ohe, HI) 5’11, 175, Sr
FirstTeamAllState and kick returner by Honolulu Star Bulletin and First Team All Purpose selection by Advertiser. 68 catches, 1150 yards, and 19 TDs. Signed with WeberState.
TE Kalafitoni Pole James Logan (Union City, CA) 6’2, 275, Sr
Was named the Mission Valley Athletic League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Named first-team all-league on both offense (tight end) and defense (defensive end. Caught 18 passes for 529 yards and six touchdown. Also named All-EastBay on both offense (first team) and defense (second team), and garnered All-Metro Second Team honors on offense. Helped lead James Logan to the first round of the CIF-North Coast Section playoffs. Recruited by Washington State to play defensive tackle.
OL Kody Afusia Ocean View (Midway City, CA) 6’3, 285, Sr
Named first-team all-league as a junior and senior. Played both sides of the ball as an offensive guard and center and defensive tackle. Named Golden West League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Selected to the all-CIF Southern Division first team on offense. Signed with Hawai’i.
OL Isikeli Cocker Trinity (Euless, TX) 6’2, 299, Sr
FirstTeamAllState led Trinity to Texas 5A State Championship. First Team All Area (Fort WorthNews). Signed with Northeastern State.
OL Micah Hatchie Waialua (HI) 6’5, 265, Sr
Named to the Hawai'i all-state first team by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and by the Honolulu Advertiser. Earned first-team All-Oahu Interscholastic Association honors as and offensive lineman as a senior at Waialua. Signed with Washington.
OL Wilson Edwards Poly (Long Beach, CA) 6’3, 280, Sr
SecondTeamAllState selection (MaxPreps). Named offensive lineman of the year in the Moore League and selected to the All-Pac 5 Division team in the Southern Section.
OL Danny Shelton Auburn (WA) 6’3, 310, Jr
FirstTeamAllState selection by Tacoma News Tribune and AP. Is on the radar as one of the nation's best recruits for 2011. Two-time TNT All-Area selection is a mammoth road-grader with good footwork. First Team All Seattle Times.Voted the SPSL North's Lineman of the Year on both offense and defense as Trojans returned to the 4A state quarterfinals.
DL Seali’i Epenesa ‘Iolani (Honolulu, HI) 6’2, 300, Sr
FirstTeamAllState (Honolulu Star Bulletin and Advertiser). As a senior, he made 82 tackles, including 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. ILH Defensive Player of the Year. Signed with UCLA.
DL Thomas Molesi Oceanside (CA) 6’2, 280, Sr
North County Times and San Diego Tribune Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Led Oceanside to its second state championship bowl victory in three seasons and to 39 consecutive wins. Signed with OregonState.
DL Kona Schwenke Kahuku (Hau’ula, HI) 6’4, 227, Sr
First-team Hawaii all-state selection as defensive lineman by Honolulu Advertiser.Named second-team all-state by Honolulu Star-Bulletin Helped lead team to Hawaii state championship game and 12-1 record as senior only loss came 34-21 in Division I title game to Kamehameha. Selected Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East defensive player of year for 2009 as Kahuku claimed OIA crown. Signed with Notre Dame.
DL Kirifi Taula Servite (Garden Grove, CA) 6’3, 280, Sr
First-team CalHiSports and MaxPreps (DII) All-State defensive lineman. Helped lead the Friars to the Division II state championship. All-CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division honors 2009... First-team All-County senior year by OC Varsity. Signed with Arizona.
DL Sione Tupouata Fremont (Oakland, CA) 6’4, 260, Sr
Conference MVP in 2009 and Oakland Athletic League's Defensive MVP in 2008. First-team all-East Bay in 2008 and 2009. Rushed for 380 yards and two touchdowns in the league championship game. Led Fremont High (Calif.) to the 2009 OAL Silver Bowl Championship. Signed with Utah.
LB Jake Fely Oceanside (CA) 5’10, 205, Sr
His prep team was ranked number one in the state during his senior season and was ranked nationally. Named to the CIF San Diego Section first team his senior season. First Team All Area (North County Times,SD Tribune) Earned first-team all-Valley League honors. Was a three-time all-league selection. Signed with San DiegoState.
LB Josh Finau Serra (Gardena, CA) 5’10, 210, Sr
MaxPreps First Team (DIII), All Section (Northwest), Daily Breeze All Area, Los Angeles Wave All Area. Led team with 166 and 5 sacks and helped lead team to DIII State Championship.
LB John Kanongata’a Bellevue (WA) 5’10, 200, Sr
FirstTeamAllState (AP and Tacoma News Tribune). Seattle Times First Team. Bellevue Reporter defensive player of the year. KingCo 3A/2A defensive player of the year. Was a two-year team captain on BellevueHigh School's back-to-back state championship teams in 2009 (12-2) and 2008 (14-0). Led his league in tackles as a senior, and also had seven forced fumbles and four interceptions. Signed withMontana.
DB Makana Garrigan Casa Grande (CA)5’10, 180, Jr
San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team defensive back. Sonoma County League Special Teams player of the year. Had 117 tackles and 11 interceptions. Caught 36 passes for 426 yards and 6 TDs. Also averaged 33.94 yards a punt.
DB Joe Pauli Independence (San Jose, CA) 5’10, 185, Jr
San Jose Mercury News All Area Second Team defensive back. Section Sports First Team Central Section defensive back. Blossom Valley-Santa Teresa Division Junior of the Year. Finished the season with 162 tackles (68 solo), 5 sacks and an interception. Rushed for 528 yards and 10 TDs.
DB Wave Ryder Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama (Kane’ohe, HI) 6’2, 190, Sr
FirstTeamAllState (Honolulu Advertiser), SecondTeamAllState (Honolulu Star Bulletin). 1st Team All-ILH. Signed with Navy.
RB/LB Sam Atoe Carillo (Santa Rosa, CA) 6’0, 195, Jr
Rushing for 876 yards on 103 carries, averaging 8.5 yards a carry with 13 TDs. Had 23 catches for 304 yards and 1 TD. Had 66 tackles (46 solo), 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries.
Had two punt returns for TDs.
RB/DB Sateki Finau Rancho Cucamonga (CA) 5’11, 180, Jr
All Inland Valley Second Team Utility selection. Riverside Press-Enterprise All Area Honorable Mention. First Team All Baseline league selection at defensive backs. Had 70 tackles and 2 interceptions for the season. Rushed for 156 yards and 3 TDs. Rushed for nearly 1000 yards as a sophomore.
RB/LB Alema Key Springville (UT) 6’0, 210, Sr
FirstTeamAllState linebacker (Deseret News). SecondTeamAllState running back (SL Tribune). DailyHeraldSecondTeamAllValley running back. Signed with WeberState.
An emotional and remorseful Rey Maualuga talked about the past couple months as the Bengals began their offseason conditioning program on Monday.
Reports on Super Bowl Sunday said Maualuga would undergo substance abuse rehab and counseling at the Betty Ford Center in California, but the second-year linebacker said that he decided not to go there and attended The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs in Charleston, S.C. The treatment center is part of the Medical University of South Carolina.
“I know I have been through a little bit of havoc the past couple months,” Maualuga said. “All I can say is you’re looking at a different guy and a different person. I just hope the city of Cincinnati and all my fans will accept my apology and help me through all this and help me move forward.”
Maualuga said the month-long program was a “life-changer” for him and that he learned a lot from the program. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, to drunken driving charges stemming from his Jan. 29 arrest in Covington. He met with the league during Super Bowl week which was an evaluation that is standard for players who enter the league’s Substance Abuse program. Maualuga is still subject to a fine of two game checks up to a maximum of $50,000.
Said Maualuga of his time in rehab: “It was a great program and I learned a lot from it. I definitely stepped out a different person and a different man. It was a blessing in disguise. I learned a lot about myself that I didn’t know. I got to sit back and listen to people’s stories and people gave me good feedback about mine. Overall it definitely helped me out and I’m a different person I can say but then again I need to show it with my actions and move forward from here.”
Maualuga is still recovering from a broken left ankle which occurred in the Week 16 game against Kansas City. He has not started running on it yet but is hopeful of being fully recovered and on the field in time for the first on-field OTA session on May 11.
Steve Fifita had almost given up on playing football again.
After a star-studded career at the University of Utah, Fifita spent two years with the Miami Dolphins and went to training camp with the New England Patriots in 2008.
The 6-0, 300-pound defensive lineman was out of football last year, but signed with the Alabama Vipers last month in an attempt to rejuvenate his career.
"I'm here trying to knock the rust off," Fifita said Monday night after practice. "I played with (Vipers quarterback) Kevin Eakin in NFL Europe and his wife and my wife kept in contact. I felt like it was God's plan for me to come here and be with them."
Fifita has made a good impression through the first week of training camp.
While he has played nose guard his entire life, Fifita has also shown he can play tackle, end and linebacker.
"He can play a little bit of everywhere," Vipers coach Dean Cokinos said. "He's an interesting player. He's progressing. He's very flexible and smart. Right now, we've got him playing multiple positions."
Despite having played defensive line throughout his career, Fifita has fallen in love with playing linebacker.
"It's pretty much a defensive line spot," he said. "We're just rushing from a stand-up position. That's pretty natural for me. I've always been undersized, but I'm pretty athletic so I fit in pretty well doing that. At linebacker, you get to see what unfolds ahead of you before you put your head in there."
While Fifita prefers to play linebacker, he says he'll play wherever the Vipers put him to resume his career.
"I think I can excel wherever they put me," he said. "I think it's working to my advantage that I can play four spots. I can back up any spot. I can start at any spot. Hopefully, that works out for me."
Hansen, Coen still vying for backup role
While Eakin appears to be clearly entrenched as the starter, Casey Hansen, a former backup with Spokane, and Liam Coen, who led Massachusetts to a Division I-AA national championship while setting a slew of records, are competing for the backup job.
"They both have to learn the game," Cokinos said. "All three are talented. Kevin has two years playing experience so he's ahead right now."
Vipers strong at wide receiver position
One of the strongest positions for the Vipers appears to be wide receiver.
Four players, Jeremy Grier, Larry Shipp, Michael Johnson and Travis Blanchard are back from last year's team, while Cokinos also signed former Arena Football League standouts C.J. Johnson and Jason Geathers.
"It's been very competitive through this stage of camp," Cokinos said.
While Cokinos remains high on the Vipers' holdovers, he is excited to have C.J. Johnson and Geathers in camp.
C.J. Johnson played for the Nashville Kats when Cokinos was an assistant coach there and also played for Columbus and Chicago in the AFL. Meanwhile, Geathers, who also plays outside linebacker, is a two-time All-Iron Man selection with the San Jose.
"C.J. is a great player," Cokinos said. "Not only is he a great receiver, but he's a fantastic kick returner. C.J. and Jason make us extremely strong. We're going to need all of these guys. It's a long year and it's a physical game. We'll need four, five or six in our stable to compete. It's a healthy competition."
The position could be strengthened next week if former UAB standout Willie Quinnie reports for practice.
Injury updates
The Vipers lost offensive/defensive lineman Steve Sene to a season-ending knee injury last week, Cokinos said.
Third Team Offense/Defense/All Purpose QB Anu Solomon Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 6’0, 185 Fr Freshman quarterback led team to undefeated season (15-0) and 4A State Championship. Second Team All State selection. Passed for 2108 yards, 20 TDs and only 5 interceptions.
RB Jovahn Lualemana Seaside (CA) 6’1, 185, Jr First Team All State medium school by CalHiSports. Rushed for 1563 yards and 14 TDs and also caught 38 passes for 625 yards and 9 TDs and 4 interceptions as a defensive back. All Monterey County First Team and Monterey Bay League Offensive Player of the Year.
RB Drake Tofi Monterey Trail (Elk Grove, CA) Second Team All Section (Sac-Joaquin). First Team All Delta River. Rushed for 1730 averaging 123 yards a game and scored 22 TDs and 1 receiving.
RB Henry Tuimaseve Farrington (Honolulu, HI) Sr First Team All State (Star Bulletin and Advertiser). Rushed for 1786 yards and 15 TDs. OIA East Offensive Player of the Year.
WR Duke Bukoski St Louis (Honolulu, HI) 5’11, 180 Jr First Team All State (Honolulu Advertiser), Second Team All State (Star Bulletin). Had 42 receptions for 720 yards and 7 TDs.
TE Alani Fua Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) 6’5, 210, Sr Recorded 71 tackles as a senior, along with nine sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles as Oaks Christian earned a 13-1 record. Also caught 25 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in 2009. His older brother, Sione, is a defensive tackle at Stanford. Recruited to BYU as a tight end and defensive lineman.
OL James Atoe Wahtonka (The Dalles, OR) 6’6, 339, Sr Named to the All-Intermountain Conference first-team on offense and to the second team on defense. Helped lead the Indians-Eagles to an 8-3 record as a senior. Team reached the second round of the state 5A playoffs. Played on the offensive and defensive lines. Honorable mention all-state on both sides of the ball. Signed Washington.
OL Kaiwi Crabb Punahou (Honolulu, HI) 6’4, 270, Sr ILH First Team, Second Team All State (Honolulu Advertiser), Third Team All State (Honolulu Star Bulletin). Punahou averaged 225 yards per game passing and over 100 yards per game rushing during the season. As a junior, he was named first‐team All‐State by the Honolulu Advertiser and first‐team All‐ILH, helping Punahou to a 10‐1 season and a state championship. Signed with Colorado.
OL Manu Mulitalo Granger (Salt Lake City, UT) 6’3, 305, Sr Second Team All State (Salt Lake Tribune). Honorable Mention All State (Deseret News) Signed with BYU.
OL Freddie Tagaloa Salesian (Richmond, CA) 6’8, 270, Soph First Team All State (Small Schools) and First Team All State Sophomore selection by CalHiSports. Third Team All East Bay selection. First Team all league selection.
OL Tyson Tiatia Timpview (Provo, UT) 6’2, 265, Sr Earned First Team All-State Class 4A (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News honors in 2009. Selected First Team All-Valley (Daily Herald). Played on three straight state 4A championship teams at Timpview High. Signed with Weber State.
DE Scott Crichton Foss (Tacoma, WA) 6’3, 225, Sr Narrows League Defensive MVP with 78 solo tackles. Washington 4A First Team All-State. Tacoma News Tribune First Team All Area, Tacoma Weekly Player of the Year. Signed with Oregon State.
DL Lawrence Lagafuaina ‘Aiea (HI) 6’0, 336, Sr Named the Oahu Interscholastic League's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Aiea. Named a first-team all-state defensive lineman by the Honolulu Advertiser. Helped the Na Ali'i to a 9-4 record and the state semifinals as a senior. Signed with Washington.
DL Sonny Puletasi 6’3, 220, Sr He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches' Association All-State team and is scheduled to play in the Oklahoma All-State game on July 30, 2010. He was selected to the First Team All-State Defensive Team by The Daily Oklahoman in '09, and was named the District 6A-1 Defensive Lineman of the Year. He recorded 100 tackles, 12.0 sacks and blocked five punts his senior season. Signed with Wyoming.
DL Calvin Tonga Arlington (Riverside, CA) 6’4, 320, Sr Recruited to Arizona State as a defensive tackle. Starred on both lines for Arlington. Also helped the team accumulate over 4,000 rushing yards on the year as the anchor of the offensive line. Posted 40 tackles and six sacks as a senior. Was named to the Riverside Press-Enterprise's All-Area Team and was chosen to play in the Inland Empire All-Star Classic as a two-way lineman. Signed Arizona State.
DE Beau Yap Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama (Pearl City, HI) 6’2, 245, Sr Two-sport start who competed in football and wrestling. Named the Honolulu Advertiser Division I co-defensive player of the year and first-team all-state…Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state second team…also a two-time all-ILH first team pick…member of Division I state championship team as a senior. Signed with Hawai’i.
LB Ofa Fifita Arroyo Valley (San Bernardino, CA) 6’0, 215, Sr Recorded 133 tackles with a 12.1 per game average, caused six fumbles, had one interception, blocked two field goals and a punt and corralled the quarterback for seven sacks as a senior. All CIFSS-Inland Division. Second Team All-Area PE-Riverside. Signed with Fresno State.
LB Ofisa Kose Vista (CA) 6’0, 205, Sr Third Team All State (CalHiSports), First Team All Section, First Team (North County Times and San Diego Union Tribune. Palomar League Player of the Year.
LB Maki Musika Milpitas (CA) 6’1, 245, Jr First Team All Area (San Jose Mercury News), Second Team All Metro (San Francisco Chronicle). CalHiSports All State Underclass Second Team. Totaled 114 tackles and 4 sacks despite missing 3 games.
DB Alvin Fa’amasili Farrington (Honolulu, HI) 6’1, 170, Sr First Team All State (Honolulu Star Bulletin and Advertiser) and First Team All-OIA Selection.
DB Josh Lauese Sequoia (Redwood City, CA) 5’10, 190, Soph All-San Mateo County First Team, Peninsula League-Bay Division defensive player of the year. Had 38 tackles for the season, 2 interceptions, and also rushed for 773 yards and 6 TDs.
DB Marcus Umu St Louis School (‘Ewa Beach, HI) 6’1, 190, Sr Three-year varsity letterman. Named to Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-state first team. Two-time Honolulu Advertiser Division I all-state second team. Also a two-time all-ILH first team pick. Signed with Hawai’i.
K/P Josh Kealamakia Syracuse (UT) 6’1, 195, Sr An outstanding place kicker and punter for the Syracuse High Titans under Coach Russ Jones. Earned three letters in football and four in soccer. Earned First Team All-State Class 5A honors as a junior and Second Team honors in 2009. Had a career long 51 yard field goal his junior season. Had a career long 70-yard punt. Signed with Weber State.
OG/FB/DL Saia Kofe Jefferson (Portland, OR) 6’3, 280, Sr First Team All State (5A) selection at guard and defensive lineman. First Team All Portland Interscholastic League as guard and defensive lineman. League defensive player of the year. Also played fullback rushing for 310 yards and 1 TD.
QB/DB Sam Tuivailala Aragon (San Mateo, CA) 6’2, 195, Sr All-San Mateo County First Team defensive back. Peninsula League-Bay Division Utility player of the year. First Team all league defensive back. Passed for 972 yards and 6 TDs and rushed for 12 TDs. Recruited to pitch and play shortstop at Fresno State.
