HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i head football coach Greg McMackin announced his first recruiting class, Thursday, at a press conference at the UH Letterwinners' Clubhouse. McMackin and his coaching staff signed 22 junior college and high school standouts.

"I'm very proud of our coaching staff, support staff, and football team to assemble such an outstanding class of recruits in just three weeks time," McMackin said. "I give credit to coaches (Rich) Miano, (George) Lumpkin, Cal (Lee) and Ron Lee for their recruiting efforts. Also our new staff of Nick Rolovich, Brian Smith, Dave Aranda and Ikaika Malloe complemented our returning coaches in the process."

Of the 22 signees, 11 were from the junior college ranks. Of the 11 players recruited out of high school, eight are from Hawai`i high schools and all are considered the top prospects at their position. The class included 11 players from California, eight from Hawai`i, and one each from Florida, Utah, and Alaska.

"I'm very proud and honored that we were able to keep some of the top athletes from Hawai`i to stay home," McMackin said. "That was our mission and we were receptive from their coaches and families, who were very gracious and hospitable, to invite us into their homes and schools to give us a chance to convince their kids to play for the University of Hawai`i."

The primary focus of this year's class was in the areas of defensive secondary, quarterback and wide receiver. The Warriors lost both starting cornerbacks, Gerard Lewis and Myron Newberry, Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Colt Brennan, and all four starting wide receivers - Jason Rivers, Davone Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullen, and C.J. Hawthorne - to either graduation or to the NFL Draft.

"We were also able to address our immediate needs," McMackin said. "Our coaches did a great job of rating talent and going to the mainland to get the top juco players. Among the receivers, we got five juco players who have great speed and quickness and who we feel are immediate impact players. At quarterback we secured two outstanding players, who we think can come in and compete for the starting position. We lost our two starting cornerbacks due to graduation and we feel the two juco players and the younger corners will make it a competitive situation for years to come."

Brennan, the Warriors starting quarterback the last three seasons, finished his career as the nation's all-time touchdowns leader (131). McMackin secured commitments from Santa Rosa College's Greg Alexander and College of the Desert's Brent Rausch to compete for the starting position along with four returnees including backup Tyler Graunke. Both Alexander and Rausch ranked among the top signal callers in the California community college system last year.

Last month, UH lost receivers Bess and Grice-Mullen, who both gave up their senior seasons and declared for the NFL Draft. The two, along with Rivers, ranked among the top receivers in the country statistically and became just the second trio in Football Bowl Subdivision history to each catch for 1,000 yards in the same season. They accounted for 3,812 yards and 38 touchdowns this past season.

Cornerbacks Lewis and Newberry were two-year starters and combined for 11 career interceptions and 21 pass breakups. Newberry was a first-team all-WAC selection and led the team with four picks.

In addition to the new additions, running back Jake Heun and Steve Stepter are already attending school.

McMackin begins his first season with the Warriors in 2008 after replacing June Jones last month. The UH Athletics Department is now accepting $50 non-refundable deposits for new season tickets for the 2008 football season. Deposits can be paid online or at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office. Click here to place your online deposit.

Below is a list of UH's signees in alphabetical order:

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown/Last School
Greg Alexander	QB	6-5	240	Jr	Santa Rosa, CA/Santa Rosa College
Craig Bell	WR	6-1	185	Jr	Norwalk, CA/Cerritos College
Chris Black	DB	5-10	170	Jr	Plantation, FL/College of the Canyons
Dustin Blount	WR	5-9	165	Jr	San Bernardino, CA/Compton CC
Jeramy Bryant	DB	5-9	175	Jr	Carson, CA/Los Angeles Harbor College
Steven Christian	DB	6-1	175	Fr	Sacramento, CA/John F. Kennedy HS
Haku Correa	DL	6-1	270	Fr	Honolulu, O'ahu/Damien Memorial School
Paipai Falemalu	LB	6-3	220	Fr	Hau'ula, O'ahu/Kahuku High School
Geordon Hanohano	DL	6-2	270	Fr	Wai'anae, O'ahu/Saint Louis School
Ryan Henry	WR	5-10	175	Jr	Los Angeles, CA/West Los Angeles College
Jake Heun*	RB	6-2	250	Jr	Anchorage, AK/City College of San Francisco
Kainoa LaCount	OL	6-7	285	Jr	Kailua, O'ahu/College of the Canyons
Art Laurel	LB	6-1	205	Fr	Wahiawa, O'ahu/Leilehua HS
Brent Rausch	QB	6-4	190	So	Palm Desert, CA/College of the Desert
Earvin Sione	DB/WR	6-5	190	Fr	Honolulu, O'ahu/McKinley HS
Steve Stepter*	DB	5-10	180	Fr	Los Angeles, CA/Crenshaw HS
Alema Tachibana	LB	6-3	200	Fr	Hau'ula, O'ahu/Kahuku HS
Jovonte Taylor	WR	5-9	185	Jr	Los Angeles, CA/Los Angeles Southwest College
Mike Tinoco	WR	6-2	200	Jr	Lake Forest, CA/Saddleback CC
Tuiatua Tuiasosopo	OL	6-1	290	Fr	Ewa Beach, O'ahu/Saint Louis School
Christian Vasconcellos	DB	6-2	190	Fr	'Aiea, O'ahu/Damien Memorial School
Lewis Walker	DB	5-11	170	Fr	Salt Lake City, UT/Judge Memorial High School

* - denotes already enrolled in school

2008 Football Signing Class

Greg Alexander (QB, 6-5, 240, Jr., Santa Rosa College [Calif.])
Completed 63 percent of his passes (284-448) for 3,487 yards, 40 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2007...had a passer rating of 155.6...ranked second in the state in passing (348.7)...led the NorCal conference in passing and total offense (369.7)... passed for 71 touchdowns in his two-year junior college career, a national record...two-time first team all-NorCal conference selection... completed 40-of-57 for 610 yards and six touchdowns against Feather River...had seven TD passes against Diablo Valley and six against San Joaquin Delta...had nine 300-yard passing games...led team to a conference championship as a freshman in 2006...was the nation's top-rated quarterback by JCFootball.com among 152 junior colleges.
McMackin on Alexander: "Greg's an exciting, big time passer who has size, speed and can make all of the throws. He's a winner and one of the top-rated junior college quarterbacks in the country. We're very fortunate to have him with us."

Craig Bell (WR, 6-1, 185, Jr., Cerritos College [Calif.])
Returned midseason from a knee injury and caught 21 passes for 275 yards in 2007...runs a 4.36, 40-yard dash...redshirted his first year at Cerritos and played in four games as a freshman before suffering knee injury...attended Gardena High School, where he was named the co-offensive player of the year his junior and senior seasons....earned first-team all-Marine League as a junior, while also being named the team's Receiver of the Year and Most Improved Player.
McMackin on Bell: "A fast receiver who has excellent hands. He's a highly-recruited athlete who played hurt all season. He's going to be a great addition to our team. He has good size and speed and makes the tough catches."

Chris Black (DB, 5-10, 170, Jr., College of the Canyons [Calif.])
Named second-team all-Western State Conference Mountain Division...ranked third in the conference with 16 passes defended...ranked second on the team with four interceptions, which tied for 10th in the conference...had 28 tackles and 12 pass breakups...originally from Plantation, Fla.
McMackin on Black: "Chris is one of two corners that we've recruited to replace the starting corners we lost. He's a player who goes to the football. He's a good hitter with great instincts and speed."

Dustin Blount (WR, 5-9, 165, Jr., Compton Community College)
Named second team JC Gridwire All-American...first-team all-Western State Conference Pacific Division and all-state...named co-conference player of the year...led the conference with 74 catches for 1,103 yards for an average of 14.9 yards per catch...added seven touchdowns in 10 games...ranked third in the state in receptions per game (7.4)...also a kick returner, who had seven returns for 162 yards and added four two-point conversions...averaged 131.8 all-purpose yards per game...broke Steve Smith's and Chad Johnson's national junior college record for single game receptions (16) and yards (284) against Allan Hancock...had three TD receptions against Ventura...runs a 10.5, 100-meter dash.
McMackin on Blount: "Dustin is one of the quickest players in the country. He's an instant impact player who jumped off the screen on film. He has excellent speed and is a threat as a kick returner as well as receiver."

Jeramy Bryant (DB, 5-9, 177, Jr., Los Angeles Harbor College)
Named to the first-team all-Western State Conference Mountain Division squad...ranked second in the conference with 17 passes defended...led team with 13 pass break ups...intercepted four passes and had 36 tackles...tied for 10th in the conference in interceptions...named team's defensive back of the year...runs a 4.5, 40-yard dash...also recruited by Washington State and Akron.
McMackin on Bryant: "In our opinion, Jeramy is one of the best corners in the country. He has quickness, great instincts and is a physical player with good speed."

Steven Christian (DB, 6-1, 175, Fr., John F. Kennedy High School [Calif.])
Was a Sacramento all-Metro first team player...had 91 tackles in only 10 games during his senior season...rushed for 350 yards and had 30 tackles during his junior year at Sacramento (Calif.) Christian Brothers...also recruited by San Jose State and Nevada.
McMackin on Christian: "Steve's a good, young player who was very productive in high school. He'll have a great future as a Warrior."

Haku Correa (DL, 6-1, 270, Fr., Damien Memorial School)
Named first-team Division II all-state by Honolulu Advertiser...a second-team Division II all-state pick by the Honolulu Star Bulletin...rated one of the top defensive line prospects in the state of Hawai`i...rated 61st best defensive tackle recruit in the nation...named second team all-ILH as a junior and honorable mention all-ILH as a sophomore...also member of basketball and track and field teams...honorable mention all-ILH in basketball...also recruited by San Diego State and UNLV.
McMackin on Correa: "Haku is a highly-recruited athlete who we felt was one of the top defensive linemen in the state, as well as in the country. He's very physical much like his brother La`anui, who I coached. Haku's going to end up having a great career here at UH."

Paipai Falemalu (LB, 6-3, 220, Fr., Kahuku High School)
Was a first-team Division I all-state by Honolulu Star-Bulletin...also named first-team all-state by the Honolulu Advertiser...rated the top-rated recruit in the state of Hawai`i...member of state championship team as a junior...also recruited by Washington, California, Oregon State, and Utah.
McMackin on Falemalu: "Paipai is one of the best linebackers in the country. He will fit into our program and will be one of the players we can lay a foundation for the future of Hawai`i high school recruits. He's a great player who has it all, speed, size, and attitude."

Geordon Hanohano (DL, 6-2, 270, Fr., Saint Louis School)
Named first team Division I all-state by Honolulu Advertiser...also selected to the first team all-state by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin...rated one of the best defensive line recruits in the state of Hawai`i...also rated 34th best defensive tackle recruit in the nation...member of two-time state runner-up team...also recruited by Arizona, UNLV, and San Diego State.
McMackin on Hanohano: "Geordon is another top Hawai'i high school recruit. He will have a great career at UH because he's big, physical and a talented football player."

Ryan Henry (WR, 5-10, 175, Jr., West Los Angeles Community College)
Ranked 14th in the state and fifth in the Western State Conference in receptions per game (5.7) in 2007...finished with 40 receptions for 530 yards in only seven games... led the team with 105.9 all-purpose yards per game...had 12 receptions for 184 yards against Los Angeles Harbor...a first-team all-conference selection during the 2006 season...had 54 receptions for 789 yards and nine touchdowns in 2006...also used on kickoffs and punt returns...runs a 4.4, 40-yard dash...prepped at Palisades High School.
McMackin on Henry: "Ryan's an excellent receiver with great speed and quickness. He returns kickoffs and punts, has excellent vision and makes tacklers miss."

Jake Heun (RB, 6-2, 250, Jr., City College of San Francisco)
Member of two-time conference and NorCal championship team...played outside linebacker and running back...team's second-leading tackler (52)...had 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble...in 2007, team captured the California community college title...prepped at Palmer High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
McMackin on Heun: "Jake's a big, physical player who his junior college coach says will be one of the toughest players on our team. He's a championship-caliber player who will fit well into our Warrior ohana."

Kainoa LaCount (OL, 6-7, 285, Jr., College of the Canyons)
A first-team all-Western State Conference Mountain Division...anchored offensive line that allowed only 24 sacks in 10 games...offense led the state in scoring (45.1) and ranked fifth in total offense (493.1)...prepped at Kailua High School...brother is former UH lineman Kahai La Count...also recruited by Syracuse, Kansas State, and UTEP.
McMackin on LaCount: "Big physical, former Kailua High School athlete, who has long arms, is a great pass blocker and has grown into an excellent offensive lineman. He's strong, physical and an overall excellent athlete."

Art Laurel (LB, 6-1, 205, Fr., Leilehua High School)
A first-team Division I all-state by Honolulu Advertiser player...also named to the second team Division I all-state by Honolulu Star-Bulletin...member of state championship team as a senior...one of the top linebacker recruits in the state of Hawai`i...also played on high school basketball team...brother Clayton Laurel plays for UH.
McMackin on Laurel: "He's another top player from the state. A great athlete who also plays for his high school basketball team. Can run, jump, makes plays and we're really fortunate to have him."

Brent Rausch (QB, 6-4, 190, Jr., College of the Desert)
Named Foothill Conference player of the year...completed 176-291 for 2,365 yards and 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions in 2007...ranked 15th in the state with a passer rating of 152.7...led the conference in total offense (240.8) and ranked second in passing yards per game (236.5)...helped team to a 9-2 record and first place finish in the Foothill Conference after winning one game in 2006...passed for 412 yards and six touchdowns against Grossmont...completed 21-of-28 for 249 yards and four touchdowns versus Chaffey...redshirted in 2006 after playing eight-man football for Desert Chapel High School.
McMackin on Rausch: "We feel Brent could be the gem of this recruiting class. He's very mobile for his size, has a championship attitude and turned his team around. He makes all the throws, he's smart, intelligent and we have no problem learning our system. He's a very accurate thrower who could also run with the football."

Steve Stepter (DB, 5-10, 180, Fr., Crenshaw High School)
Named all-league and all-City Section...had nearly 70 tackles and three interceptions as a senior...member of City Section championship team.
McMackin on Stepter: "Steve's an excellent defensive back who has all the skills needed at that position. He has excellent speed, quickness and acceleration. He's got a motor."

Earvin Sione (WR/DB, 6-5, 190, Fr., McKinley High School)
A three-sport athlete...earned all-state honors in basketball...also on his high school volleyball team...played quarterback during his senior season...named to the all-tournament team of the Division II state basketball tournament....basketball team captured state Division II title as a junior.
McMackin on Sione: "He's an outstanding all-around athlete who gives us great height and size. He has tremendous upside here at UH no matter what position he plays."

Alema Tachibana (LB, 6-3, 200, Fr., Kahuku High School)
Rated one of the top linebacker recruits in the state of Hawai`i...member of state championship runner-up team...named to the all-OIA second team as a senior...also recruited by Utah.
McMackin on Tachibana: "He fits into our system as a defensive end pass rusher. He has excellent speed and motor. He's heavily recruited and we feel very fortunate that he wanted to come and be a part of our family."

Jovonte Taylor (WR, 5-9, 185, Jr., Los Angeles Southwest College)
Two-sport athlete...named the California State sprint champion...runs a 4.2, 40-yard dash... ranked eighth in the Western State Conference averaging 117.2 all-purpose yards per game...returned 21 kickoffs for 613 yards and two touchdowns (29.2 avg.), which ranked 11th in the state...had 89-yard and 87-yard kickoff returns for touchdown against San Bernardino Valley...had 33 receptions for 499 yards receiving and three touchdowns...also recruited by Oregon and UNLV.
McMackin on Taylor: "He's a big-time impact player. A big playmaker, who has the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. He has a great attitude, a team leader who'll fit into our program."

Mike Tinoco (WR, 6-2, 200, Jr., Saddleback Community College)
A second-team all-Mission Conference National Division player...had 32 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns...had six receptions for 129 yards against Santa Ana...has a 40-inch vertical leap...runs a 4.4, 40-yard dash...also recruited by Boise State and Connecticut.
McMackin on Tinoco: "Has good size for a wide receiver. He's fast, athletic receiver who can make the big catch. He comes from a great program that is a consistent winner. He's the type of player that will make big plays for us."

Tuiatua Tuiasosopo (OL, 6-1, 290, Fr., Saint Louis School)
Named first-team Division I all-state by Honolulu Star-Bulletin...also selected to first-team all-state by Honolulu Advertiser...named first-team all-ILH as a junior and senior...second team all-state as a junior...named the MVP of the all-Poly football camp...benched 33 reps of 225 pounds...rated the top offensive line prospect in the state of Hawai`i...father Ana played for UH...also recruited by Washington, Arizona, and Stanford.
McMackin on Tuiasosopo: "He's one of the top players in the state at his position. He's an intelligent and special person. Very physical and strong. Very highly recruited and comes from a great family and I'm sure he'll carry on the family tradition."

Christian Vasconcellos (DB, 6-2, 190, Fr., Damien Memorial School)
Named first-team Division II all-state by the Honolulu Advertiser...also picked first team all-state by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin...a three-sport athlete...earned honorable mention all-ILH honors in basketball as a junior...placed sixth in the triple jump at the state high school championship track meet as a junior...also long jumped and was a member of the 4x100 relay team....returned interception for touchdown in HUB Goodwill Senior Bowl.
McMackin on Vasconcellos: "Christian has good size and is a fast athlete who made an impression on us during our summer camp. He has excellent hands, acceleration and speed."

Lewis Walker (DB, 5-11, 170, Fr., Judge Memorial High [Utah])
Rated as the fifth best recruit of the state of Utah...also rated the 41st best cornerback recruit in the nation...totaled 94 tackles for a 7.8 per game average...had 11 tackles each against Park City and Morgan...also played on offense...rushed 74 times for 780 yards and eight touchdowns...three 100-yard rushing games...had 19 receptions for 361 yards and four scores...all-around athlete who also returned punts and kickoffs...also recruited by Utah and Colorado State.
McMackin on Walker: "Another young top cornerback nationally. Has the ability to be a playmaker on defense and is a very physical player."

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