IslandAthlete.com - Hawaii Prepares for Signing Day

January 28, 2008

IslandAthlete.com Staff Writer

Call Hawaii the 'Little State that Could'. Every year, Hawaii keeps chugging along, pumping out athletes to colleges nationwide. Known for its weather, its fun, great surfing and luau's, Hawaii has become a Must Recruit Football State. With 2007 as one of the largest years on record, record numbers of football players signed Letters of Intent to play college ball. This year the crop of athletes might be a little smaller, but the talent is definitely there.

Expected to sign their Letter of Intent at Honolulu Hale this year, at an event held annually by Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance (PIAA) and hosted by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, himself a former college athlete at Harvard, are the top football prospects in the state. Those expected to attend include:

DT Solomon Koelher, Castle H.S. - Arizona

OL Mykenna Ikehara, Kamehameha - Washington

DT Haku Correa, Damien Memorial - Hawaii

DL Aaron Tipoti, Word of Life Academy ? Cal

DL Geordon Hanohano, Saint Louis ? Hawaii

LB J.J. Autele, Punahou School ? San Diego State

WR Ekolu Soon, Kamehameha ? Army

WR Matt Shibata, Mid Pacific Institute ? Navy

WR Earvin Sione, McKinley ? Hawaii

DB Christian Vasconcellos, Damien ? Hawaii

OL Tui Tuiasosopo, Saint Louis ? Hawaii

CB Lake Casco, Lahainaluna - Penn

Also expected to sign, however, have not yet made their final commitment known include Hawaii's All Time Leading Rusher Kama Bailey, Damien Memorial H.S.; Kahuku standouts Shiloah Te'o, Paipai Falemalu; Anthony Siliata, Benji Kemoeatu and Alema Tachibana; Kamehameha's Pono Perez, Daniel Kaanana, Michael Hoke; Abe Markowitz of Punahou; Mililani's Cody Kilthau; and Bruce Andrews and Cody Von Appen of Kalaheo. Additional athletes are expected to be added to the list when all official visits are complete.

Additional Maui athletes will be signing at a reception at the Maui Prince Hotel, including Sean Tesoro from Baldwin H.S., heading to UNLV.

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