Laeli out for spring … Recruiting never ends … Will Kelly get his kicks at spring game?
By Dave Reardon
Starting defensive left tackle Fale Laeli is out for spring practice. He needs more time to rehab from arthroscopic surgery in February for a meniscus tear in his right knee. Josh Leonard moves into the top spot for the spring.
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Greg McMackin said today he has identified 10 local prospects from the Hawaii preps class of 2009 that he is considering offering scholarships to very soon.
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Although the spring game will not include kickoffs and punts, McMackin is considering allowing extra points and field goals. That would be good, since it would showcase Dan Kelly, one of the nation’s top returning kickers.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Wow 10 potential prospects from the class of ‘09, it’s keeps getting by the day. Glad also that Coach is considering some kicking. Extra kicks have been a challenge on occassion. With so much positives, we just might surprise ourselves and see Aloha Stadium packed come spring game. As a side note, Coach Ron made a good point this morning on the radio, he mentioned that with so many new faces it will be exciting to see the coaching staff get on the same page. And with choke pukas to fill developing the depth chart will be a major to do.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Not practicing the kicking game,other that the field goals and point afters,doesn’t make sense to me.With your only chance to surprise your opponents by the improved and unscouted play of your special teams,especially against your first opponent, Florida, why not over practice in this area of the game.Or at least get some live snaps before you go to Florida.I don’t think the Warriors can match one for one on offense or defense with the Florida team.
But having a chance to win the game might improve your chances if they do something special,like block a punt.Or return a kick or a punt for a touchdown.With all the new type of athletes the Warriors have on the team,namely the fast corners and linebackers one would think that if you practice hard on this phase of the game the Florida team preparing for Warriors might not expect this.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Coach Mack is serious about recruiting local prospects. While he may not get them all, this aggressive approach will pay off dividends.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
They will practice special teams, just not in the spring game.
McMackin is a big advocate of the importance of special teams. Among the things he plans is to try to block more kicks.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I hope Fale stays healthy. He is one of the key players on the inside.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
By the way Ralvic, you mentioned in an earlier post that you’re new. Welcolme to UH Sports Extra.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Dave – Any word on how Coach Mac will create and handle “Junior Day”? …if indeed he plans to create a Junior Day?
TIA
March 27th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
No details yet, but he does plan on doing it.
March 28th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Ralvic, you are absolutely spot on in wanting special teams play to be the difference, not only at FL but throughout the whole season. If we played better spl teams in ‘05&’06, we might have beaten Boise St.! I remember how much of a weapon we had in Elam…one kick that comes to mind I think was against Iowa Hawkeyes…or the Matthew Harding block punts or Dana M./Chad O. electrifying returns. Glad Coach wants to be good there as well.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Dave,
Glad to hear that if UH should offer and the player accepts, UH will stand by their committment.
That’s all good but its not binding until signing day in February. Its so common to hear of players making multiple commitments after each visit.
The NCAA has to add an early signing period to be fair to both players and colleges. IF both sides are serious, lets get it on paper now!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Dave & Jediwarrior,
What’s a Junior Day and how does it help a college? Is it more than just an opportunity to see a kid during his senior year?
Back to my original posting that says a committment is not binding until letter of intent day in February.
Big whoops to me if a junior should ever commit. He has over a year to change his mind and you know colleges will continue to recruit regardless if a player made a committment.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Gotta love McMakin. Starting early on recruiting for the local boys is all good. Dave do you know if Manti Teo is being offered a scholie?
If Manti actually accepted early, the program would get huge momentum going into the recruiting year.
Any word on Billy Ray Stutzmann?
March 28th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Warrior Dave, Yes nothings firm until that paper is signed and turned in. I think though at the very least it shows the local athletes that UH cares/has interrest. We often hear kids leaving to go elsewhere because they felt UH did not care, at least that’s what i’ve read.
March 28th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
gee wes…..you got some memory for stuff……you must be an old buggah like me ’cause i remember that kick when the hawkeyes came to aloha stadium……..we sat in the stadium with my wife’s friend whose boyfriend was an hawkeye alumni………but like you mentioned it’s gonna be fun seeing mack giving the boys the green light to “block them kicks”!!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I realize that these junior committments aren’t binding, but doesn’t it put a lot of pressure on Coach Mack and UH to honor these committments come signing day? What if the kid has drawn interest as a junior and has a horrible senior year, off the field issues, or ends up being overrated? The kid might think that he has a committment to play for UH. It’s good to let the kids know that there is interest, but maybe it should stop there.
March 29th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Warrior Dave – Garret and Bulla are very well versed on the subject of Junior Day. Here’s a link to some of their conversation on Sports Hawaii:
http://www.sportshawaii.com/sh/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24926
Junior Day has been mentioned in other threads as well, but this is a good thread to start with.
March 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hey Hammer, I guess I’m getting up there:-). Anways, wasn’t that around ‘89, Elam’s freshman year and then after that we almost lost him back to Georgia???