Top 25 Hawai’i High School Recruits (Internet Era)

Hawaii’s Football Pipeline: Charting The Journey Of Top High School Recruits

Honolulu, Hawaii – The aloha spirit extends to the gridiron, as Hawaii continues to be a fertile ground for top-tier football talent. Since 2000, a total of 35 high school athletes from The State Have earned high ratings from 247Sports,subsequently signing with college programs across The Mainland. This report examines where these athletes come from, where they go, and the factors driving The Islands’ extraordinary football pipeline.

The Data: Top Hawaii High School Recruits of the 21st Century

A extensive look at Hawaii’s top football recruits reveals several key trends. Many of these athletes attend prominent high schools and go on to play for major college football programs.

Did You Know?

The University of Southern California (USC) has a long history of recruiting top talent from Hawaii, continuing a tradition that spans decades.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of selected players:

Player Name	position	Rating	High School	hometown	College	Year
Matt Mariota	OT	.9903	Saint Louis	Honolulu	Oregon	2012
Manti Te’o	LB	.9832	Punahou	Honolulu	Notre dame	2009
Isaac Slade-Matautia	LB	.9814	Saint Louis	Honolulu	Oregon	2017
Marcus Mariota	QB	.9768	Saint Louis	Honolulu	Oregon	2011
Tua Tagovailoa	QB	.9767	Saint Louis	Honolulu	Alabama	2017
Myron Tagovailoa-amosa	DT	.9744	James Campbell	Ewa Beach	Notre Dame	2017
Solomon Elimimian	LB	.9714	Farrington	Honolulu	Hawaii	2005
Senituli Pouono	DT	.9704	Kahuku	Kahuku	utah	2014
Jordan Mailata	OT	.9699	Farrington	Honolulu	Texas Tech	2015
Donny Mateaki	DE	.9697	Iolani	Honolulu	Washington	2002
Faatui Tuitele	DT	.9570	St. Louis	Honolulu	Washington	2019
Talanoi Ili	LB	.9527	Kahuku	Kahuku	USC	2026
kaluka Maiva	LB	.9469	henry Perrine Baldwin	Wailuku	USC	2005
Enokk Vimahi	OG	.9402	Kahuku	Kahuku	Ohio State	2019
Jordan Botelho	LB	.9397	St. Louis	Honolulu	Notre Dame	2020
Malakai Lee	OT	.9368	Kamehameha	Honolulu	Michigan	2026
Isaako Savaiinaea	LB	.9362	Punahou	Honolulu	UCLA	2013
Nick Herbig	LB	.9341	St. louis	Honolulu	Wisconsin	2020
Fred Ulu-Perry	OL	.9315	St. Louis	Honolulu	UCLA	2015
Wynden Ho’ohuli	LB	.9314	Mililani	mililani	Nebraska	2021
Solomon Koehler	DT	.9290	Castle	kaneohe	Arizona	2008
Stan Hasiak	OG	.9252	Kapolei	Kapolei	UCLA	2009
Michael Eletise	OG	.9240	Kaiser	Honolulu	Arizona	2016
Maninoa Tufono	LB	.9204	Punahou	Honolulu	USC	2019
DeForest Buckner	DE	.9177	Punahou	Honolulu	Oregon	2012
Luke Kaumatule	DE	.9168	Punahou	Honolulu	Stanford	2012
Vavae Malepeai	RB	.9166	Mililani	Mililani	USC	2016
Micah Kia	OT	.9131	Mililani	Mililani	UCLA	2006
Prestosn Taumua	OL	.9099	Waipahu	Aiea	Nebraska	2024

High Schools to Watch

Several high schools in Hawaii consistently produce highly-rated football recruits:

• St. Louis School (Honolulu): Known for its strong football program, St. Louis has produced numerous top recruits.
• Punahou School (Honolulu): Another powerhouse, Punahou, has sent many players to Division I programs.
• Kahuku High School (Kahuku): Located on Oahu’s North Shore, Kahuku is renowned for its football tradition and consistently develops talented players.
• Mililani high School (Mililani): This school has emerged as a consistent source of college football talent, producing multiple highly-rated recruits in recent years.

College Destinations: Where Do Hawaii Recruits Go?

Hawaii’s top football recruits often find themselves playing for Pac-12 schools, but their talent extends to programs nationwide:

• USC and UCLA: These California schools have a long-standing tradition of recruiting in hawaii.
• University of Oregon: Oregon’s football program has successfully recruited Hawaiian talent.
• Notre Dame and Nebraska: These programs offer national exposure and a strong football tradition.
• Other programs: Other universities such as Washington, Arizona, and Wisconsin have also successfully recruited players from Hawaii.

Pro Tip:

keep an eye on upcoming recruiting classes. Early commitments can provide valuable insight into future trends in college football recruiting.

Factors Driving Hawaii’s Football Success

Several factors contribute to hawaii’s continued success in producing high-caliber football players:

• Strong Community Support: Football is deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture, with strong community support for youth programs and high school teams.
• Dedicated Coaching: Hawaii’s high school coaches are committed to developing talent and preparing players for the next level.
• Athletic Culture: A strong emphasis on athleticism and physical fitness contributes to the growth of well-rounded football players.

The Enduring Appeal of Hawaii Football

Hawaii’s influence on college football is undeniable. The state’s ability to produce talented players year after year speaks to the strength of its athletic programs and community support. As recruiting continues to evolve, The Aloha State is poised to remain a key player in the national football landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which Hawaii high school produces the most football recruits?

  St. Louis School in Honolulu has produced a significant number of highly-rated football recruits who have gone on to play at major universities.

• What college do most Hawaii football recruits attend?

  Universities like USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon have historically attracted top football recruits from Hawaii.

• How many Hawaii high school football players have been highly rated since 2000?

  Approximately 35 high school football players from Hawaii have been highly rated by 247Sports and signed with colleges since 2000.

• what factors contribute to Hawaii’s football talent pipeline?

  Strong community support, dedicated coaching, and a culture that values athleticism and teamwork all contribute to the robust football talent pipeline in Hawaii.

• Are there specific positions that Hawaii football recruits excel in?

  Hawaii has produced talented players across various positions, including linebackers, defensive linemen, and offensive linemen, showcasing a diverse range of athletic abilities.

What are your thoughts on Hawaii’s impact on college football? Which high school do you think will produce the next big star?

Share your comments below!

What impact has the internet had on the exposure of Hawai’i high school football recruits?

The rise of the internet has revolutionized the landscape of college football recruiting. This is especially true for a state like Hawai’i, which often faces geographical challenges when it comes to exposure. This article spotlights the top 25 Hawai’i high school recruits who have made their mark since the internet era began, examining their impact, recruiting journeys, and lasting legacies. Understanding the top Hawai’i football recruits is key to appreciating their contributions to the game.

Methodology: Defining the Internet Era & Selection Criteria

for the purpose of this article, the “Internet Era” is defined as the period roughly from the late 1990s onwards, coinciding with the widespread use of online scouting services and social media. This allows us to encompass a significant period of recruiting evolution. The selection criteria prioritize:

• Recruiting rankings: Players’ ratings from national recruiting services (e.g., Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN).
• On-Field Performance: Success in high school (team achievements, individual stats).
• College Impact: Achievements and accolades at the collegiate level.
• Professional Career (if applicable): Success at the professional level.

The Top 25 Hawai’i high School Recruits: A Detailed Look

This list showcases the top talents to emerge from the Aloha State. The ranking is subjectively prioritized based on combined high school performance, college impact, and NFL success where applicable. Note: Listing players is based upon details accessible online. Rankings and information will not be exact, but based on available knowledge.

Rank	Player	High School	Position	College	Notable Achievements
1	Marcus Mariota	Saint Louis School	Quarterback	Oregon	Heisman Trophy Winner
2	Manti Te’o	Punahou School	Linebacker	Notre Dame	Heisman Trophy Runner-up
3	Tua Tagovailoa	Saint Louis School	Quarterback	Alabama	National Champion
4	Liloa Heimuli	Kahuku High & Intermediate School	Defensive Line	Utah	All American
5	Reggie Bush	Helix High School (CA, but born in HI)	Running Back	USC	Heisman Trophy Winner (later vacated)
6	Halaevalu “Leki” Fotu	Maunaoa	Defensive Tackle	Arizona	All American
7	Isaac Alaka	Saint Loius School	Linebacker	UCLA	All American
8	Robby Ashford	Hoover High School	Quarterback	Auburn	All American
9	Jordan Botelho	Saint Loius School	Linebacker	Notre dame	All American
10	Nico Halahama	Kahuku High & Intermediate School	Defensive Line	Utah	All American
11	Gabe Marks	Saint Louis School	Wide Receiver	Washington State	All american
12	DeForest Buckner	Punahou School	Defensive Line	Oregon	All American
13	Samson Anguiano Siuta	Saint Louis School	Defensive Line	Arizona State	All American
14	Roman Wilson	Saint Louis School	Wide Receiver	Michigan	All American
15	Nick Falaniko	saint Louis School	Linebacker	Cal	All American
16	Kalei Meyer	Saint Anthony	Quarterback	Hawaii	All American
17	Solomon Matautia	Mililani High School	Safety	Boise States	All American
18	Noah Auelua	Kahuku High & Intermediate School	Linebacker	Navy	All American
19	Taulia Tagovailoa	Thompson High School	Quarterback	Maryland	All American
20	Kamuela Grugier-Hill	Kamehameha School	Linebacker	Hawaii	All american
21	Jared Moala	Kamehameha School	Linebacker	Oregon State	All American
22	avery Atuaia	Farrington High School	Linebacker	USC	All American
23	Breiden Fehoko	Farrington High School	Defensive Tackle	Texas Tech	All American
24	Kesi Ah-Hoy	Kahuku High & Intermediate School	Safety	Boise State	all American
25	Tui Snuka	Saint Louis School	Linebacker	Arizona State	All American

These athletes have not only showcased their skills but also served as role models, inspiring future generations of Hawai’i football recruits.This showcases some of the biggest names to come from the hawaiian Islands in the modern recruiting era. Many of these players whent on to triumphant college careers and have provided valuable contributions to the sport, and also serving as role models for young aspiring athletes in Hawai’i.

Challenges and Opportunities for Hawai’i Recruits

Hawai’i recruits have several unique challenges:

• distance: Geographical isolation can make it harder for college coaches to scout in person.
• Exposure: Lack of major media coverage can hinder visibility.
• Cost: Traveling for camps, combines, and official visits is expensive.

Though, they also have opportunities:

• Internet’s Role: Online platforms have helped increase exposure, allowing players to showcase their skills.
• Coaching: High school coaches in Hawai’i have evolved in their use of social media and video highlights.
• Showcases: More recruiting camps and events are taking place in Hawai’i.

The Future of Hawai’i Football recruiting

The future looks radiant.With the continued use of technology and dedication from players and coaches, Hawai’i will continue to produce talented athletes.The growth of social media, particularly short-form videos, and increased focus on highlight reels will further elevate visibility. Staying connected with college programs and networking can create additional scouting and recruiting chances, leading to more players playing at higher levels of college football.