VIDEO: Q&A with Coach Chow On National Signing Day
VIDEO: 2015 Signing Class Highlights Compilation
VIDEO: Coach Chow Signing Day Press Conference

SIGNING DAY CENTRAL page

HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head football coach Norm Chow announced the Rainbow Warriors' 2015 signing class Wednesday. Chow and his coaching staff secured commitments from 15 high school, junior college prospects and transfers.

The list does not include five other student-athletes who join the program for the 2015 season including mid-year enrollees Dayton Furuta of Mililani High School, DJ Riggins of Oaks Christian High School (Calif.), and Manly Williams of Farrington High School. Two other student-athletes Aaron Zwahlen (Modesto, Calif.) and Gus Lavaka (Kearns, Utah) return from missions and will enroll during the fall.

"Overall we're very pleased with this class," Chow said. "We were able to fill the needs of our team and mix four-year transfers with junior college and freshmen. We see immediate help from guys like Max Wittek, Dylan Collie, and Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea and from the mid-year JUCO players – Russell Williams, Sione Kauhi and Matt Norman. We're also very excited about some of the freshmen who we expect to play right away – Jordan Agasiva, Solomon Matautia and Alex Trifonovitch. Our primary target was on the offensive line and we feel very good about the group that's coming."

Among the 15 signees, eight are high school seniors, four are from junior colleges, and three are FBS transfers who are eligible to compete for the upcoming season. Among the transfers are quarterback Max Wittek, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules after spending the first three years at USC. Linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea (formerly Keoni Bush-Loo) also sat out last season after two seasons at Arizona. Wide receiver Dylan Collie redshirted at BYU before serving a two-year church mission.

Also returning from a church mission is Sione Kauhi, an all-state tight end at Wilsonville High School in Oregon, who is currently enrolled at UH along with linebacker Russell Williams (Sacramento City College) and offensive lineman Matt Norman (Fullerton JC).

A total of nine student-athletes signed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, including four homegrown products – offensive lineman Jordan Agasiva of Division I state champion Mililani High School, safety Solomon Matautia of Campbell High School, punter Alexander Trifonovitch of Punahou School, and lineman Kamuela Borden of Division II state champion 'Iolani School. Agasiva and Matautia were consensus first-team all-state picks while Trifonovitch is a top punting prospect and Chris Sailer Kicking First Team All-American.

Offensive line was among the team's needs this year and the group added six signees, five of whom are 6-foot-4 or taller and three 300-pounders. Also signing with UH on Wednesday were J.R. Hensley (Edmond, Okla.), Eperone Moananu (Pago Pago, American Samoa), and Austin Webb (Dallas, Texas).

Junior college standouts Paul Harris (Ventura JC), Dejaun Butler (Santa Monica JC), and Melvin Davis (Santa Monica JC) also inked with the Rainbow Warriors. Harris was a JUCO All-American kick returner with three returns for touchdowns last year at Ventura College. Butler and Davis helped SMC to consecutive conference titles.  

2015 Signing Class 
 
Player Biographies
 
Jordan Agasiva | OL | 6-4 | 315 | Fr. | Honolulu, O'ahu | Mililani HS
Will graduate this spring from Mililani High School on O'ahu…named Honolulu Star-Advertiser first-team all-state, Scoring Live first-team all-Hawai'i Division I, KHON Cover2 first-team all-state, and American Family Insurance All-USA Hawai'i team…played primarily right tackle…helped Mililani capture its first state title in 2014…two-time first-team all-OIA… rated 9^th-best prospect in the state of Hawai'i by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser…rated 12^th-best prospect in the state and 19^th-best offensive guard in the West by Scout…15^th-best prospect in the state of Hawai'i by 247Sports…selected Honolulu Star-Advertiser first-team all-state as a junior…attended Farrington High School in Honolulu as a freshman and sophomore.
 
Kamuela Borden | OL/DL | 6-4 | 240 | Fr. | Pearl City, O'ahu | 'Iolani School
Will graduate this spring from 'Iolani School in Honolulu…Scoring Live second-team all-Hawai'i Division II…first-team all-ILH…rated the 16^th-best prospect in the state of Hawai'i by 247Sports…rated No. 17 in the state by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser…rated 19^th-best prospect in Hawai'i by Scout…played primarily left tackle at 'Iolani…member of 2012 and '14 HHSAA Division II state championship teams…named second-team all-ILH as a junior…a three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track and field…state champion in the shot put (52-7) in 2014…also captured the ILH discus title (153-9)…brother Kawika is a current member of the football team…sister Anika competed for the Rainbow Wahine track and field team.
 
Dejaun Butler | CB | 5-11 | 180 | Jr. | Woodland Hills, Calif. | Santa Monica JC
Played two seasons (2012 and '13) at Santa Monica Junior College…recorded 71 total tackles and five interceptions during his two-year career…tallied 39 tackles and three picks as a sophomore and 32 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman…also averaged 20.4 yards on five kickoff returns in 2013…named first-team all-conference…graduated from Taft High School in 2012…transferred to Taft from West Hills Chaminade…named second-team all-City as a senior…as a junior at Chaminade, played both running back and cornerback.
 
Dylan Collie | WR | 5-10 | 175 | Fr. | El Dorado Hills, Calif. | BYU
Redshirted at BYU in 2012…served a two-year church mission…graduated from Oak Ridge High School in California in 2012...earned first-team all-league and all-Metro honors…caught 47 passes for 660 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed 42 times for 179 yards and three  touchdowns as a senior…caught nine passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns in roughly just one half of work in one game during senior year…also played quarterback part of senior year due to injuries and passed for 345 yards and five touchdowns…had at least 100 receiving yards and
two touchdowns in each his playoff games…during junior season, caught 43 passes for 548 yards and eight touchdowns while playing both receiver and safety…recruited by several Pac-12 schools…older brothers, Austin and Zac, both played for BYU as did their father Scott…Austin played in 49 career NFL games for both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
 
Melvin Davis | RB | 6-2 | 235 | Jr. | Harbor City, Calif. | Santa Monica JC
Played two seasons at Santa Monica Junior College…carried the ball 88 times for 534 yards (6.1 avg.) and seven touchdowns as a sophomore and received first-team all-conference honors…averaged 12.6 yards per carry (9 rushes for 113 yards) against LA Pierce College…ran for two touchdowns against West L.A.…rushed for 364 yards and eight touchdowns during his freshman season…posted two TDs each against Mt. SAC, San Bernardino and Glendale…member of consecutive conference championship teams…graduated from Narbonne High School in California in 2011…rated as the No. 80 running back nationally by Rivals…also rated No. 26 prospect in the state of California and No. 27 athlete by ESPN.
 
Paul Harris | ATH | 5-11 | 190 | Jr. | Columbus, Ohio | Ventura JC
Attended Ventura Junior College in California for two years…named All-American as a kick returner by the JC Athletic Bureau and the California Community College Football Coaches Association…also selected Region III all-state first team and first-team all-conference…averaged 35.1 yards on 20 kickoff returns with three touchdowns…also rushed for 499 yards (8.5 avg.) and four touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 113 yards and another score…during freshman year, was an unanimous first-team all-conference selection as a return specialist…averaged 26.7 yards per kickoff return and rushed for 283 yards (6.4 avg.) and one touchdown…graduated from Marion Franklin High School in Columbus, Ohio in 2011…named second-team all-state and first-team all-conference during senior year…rushed for 785 yards (11.2 avg.) and 10 touchdowns…attended Reynoldsburg High School during his freshman and sophomore years.
 
J.R. Hensley | OL | 6-5 | 315 | Fr. | Edmond, Okla. | Edmond Santa Fe HS
Will graduate this spring from Edmond Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma…rated as the No. 24 prospect in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports…also rated the No. 37 in the state by Rivals…one of the state's top linemen and ranked No. 26 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 recruiting rankings…named the The Oklahoman's all-state first team and American Family Insurance All-USA Oklahoma team…anchored the offensive line at left tackle which paved the way for a 2,000-yard rusher.
 
Sione Kauhi | DL | 6-5 | 240 | Fr. | Wilsonville, Ore. | Wilsonville HS
Returned from a two-year church mission…graduated from Wilsonville High School in Oregon in 2012…played tight end and defensive end at Wilsonville...also starred on the school's basketball team…as a senior, posted 18 catches for 270 yards and four touchdowns and 39 tackles, including 9.0 for loss and three sacks…named second-team all-state and first-team all-league as a tight end…also picked second-team all-league as a defensive lineman in 2011…second team all-league tight end and honorable mention all-state defensive end as a junior…had 21 receptions for a 21-yard average per catch and six touchdowns…competed in the Les Schwab Bowl all-star game and Tanoa Bowl for Team Oregon.
 
Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea | LB | 6-3 | 240 | Jr. | 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu | Arizona
Played two seasons (2012 and '13) as a back-up linebacker and on special teams at the University of Arizona…in 2013, played in all 13 games and tallied seven tackles and 1.5 sacks…as a true freshman in 2012, posted three tackles…sat out during the 2014 season…given name is Keoni Bush-Loo and legally changed name during 2013 season…graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama in Honolulu in 2012…rated as the No. 7 prospect in the state of Hawai'i by ESPN…named Honolulu Star-Advertiser third-team all-state as a senior…a second-team all-ILH all-star as an all-purpose selection…participated in the H.U.B. Goodwill All-Star Game…also lettered in track and field, competing in the shot put, discus, and 100- and 200-meters
 
Solomon Matautia | S | 6-1 | 220 | Fr. | 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu | Campbell HS
Will graduate this spring from Campbell High School in 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu…named Honolulu Star-Advertiser
first-team all-state, Scoring Live first-team all-Hawai'i Division I, KHON Cover2 first-team all-state and American Family Insurance All-USA Hawai'i team…two-time first-team all-OIA…rated No. 7 in the state of Hawai'i and 67^th-best safety nationally by ESPN…rated 10^th-best prospect in the state of Hawai'i and No. 99 safety nationally by 247Sports…also rated No. 10 in the state by Rivals…rated No. 11 prospect in the state by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser…rated 14^th-best prospect in Hawai'i and 21^st-best outside linebacker in the West by Scout…Scoring Live all-Hawai'i Division I first team as a punt returner and defensive back in 2013.
 
Eperone Moananu | OL | 6-2 | 285 | Fr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa | Tafuna HS
Will graduate this spring from Tafuna High School in American Samoa…considered one of the top high school players in American Samoa by 247Sports…competed in the Polynesian All-American Bowl in Oceanside, Calif…member of two prep championship teams.
 
Matt Norman | OL | 6-5 | 250 | Jr. | Monrovia, Calif. | Fullerton JC
Played two seasons at Fullerton College…named first-team all-Region III and first-team all-conference during sophomore year…during freshman year, member of state championship runner-up squad…graduated from Monrovia High School in 2013…member of three straight CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley championship teams…first-team all-Mid-Valley and all-area as a senior.
 
Alexander Trifonovitch | P | 6-1 | 180 | Fr. | Honolulu, O'ahu | Punahou School
Will graduate this spring from Punahou School in Honolulu…one of the nation's top punting prospects…2014 Vegas Spring Event Punt Finalist…2014 Vegas Spring Event Field Goal Finalist…2014 Hawai'i Summer Camp Kickoff Champion…2014 Chris Sailer Kicking First Team All-American Punter…2015 Vegas XXV Punt Finalist…all-ILH second team as a senior…Honolulu Star-Advertiser second-team all-state as a junior…member of Division I state championship squad in 2013 and state runner-ups in 2014…Scoring Live all-Hawai'i Division I first team.
 
Russell Williams | LB | 6-1 | 225 | So. | Laguna Creek, Calif. | Sacramento City College
Played one season at Sacramento City College…selected CCCFCA first-team All-America and first-team all-Region I…finished second on the team with 77 total tackles (63 solo), including 11.0 for loss, and averaged 7.0 tackles per game…also tallied six sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups…graduated from Laguna Creek High School in 2014…played several positions including quarterback…selected first-team all-conference.
 
Austin Webb | OL | 6-8 | 310 | Fr. | Dallas, Texas | Highland Park HS
Will graduate this spring from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas…started only during his senior season…primarily played right tackle…helped Highland Park advance to the 6A Division II Area finals as district co-champions.
 
Max Wittek | QB | 6-4 | 240 | Sr. | Newport Beach, Calif. | USC
Attended USC for three years…redshirted in 2011…appeared in eight games with two starts as a redshirts freshman in 2012…threw for 388 yards on 36-of-69 passing and three touchdowns …appeared in six games as a redshirt sophomore in 2013…completed 14-of-26 for 212 yards…also rushed for a touchdown…sat out during the 2014 season…graduated from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., in 2011…as a senior, named UnderArmour All-American, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, ESPNU 150, Rivals 100, Prep Star Dream Team, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State third team and All-Trinity League first team…completed 153-of-282 passes (54.3%) for 2,252 yards with 24 TDs and 15 interceptions in 2010, plus ran for 175 yards with 6 TDs…as a junior in 2009, he made the All-Trinity League second team as he completed 136-of-230 passes (59.1%) for 2,158 yards and 15 TDs with 9 interceptions and ran for 189 yards with 2 TDs.