HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football program announced the signing of seven prospects on the first day of the early signing period. The group includes four high school standouts and a trio of four-year transfers, including a pair from Power 5 schools. Five of the seven signees are on the defensive side of the ball.
"We're excited to add seven great student-athletes to our program today," head coach Todd Graham said. "We got a bunch of young men who will represent this state and this university with character, honor, class, and integrity. That's the common denominator. These guys are all coming here because they embrace our culture, our values and what we're trying to build. From a physical standpoint, we want playmakers, and we got that with these guys. We really like the fact that we've gotten more explosive and have added to our team speed."
Don't Mess With Texas: A native of Mesquite, Texas, Graham has wasted little time in tapping into one of the most — if not the most — football-rich territories in the nation. Since being hired this past January, Graham has brought in eight players from Texas, including a trio of Wednesday signees in defensive back
Colby Burton (League City), running back
Jordan Johnson (Dallas) and linebacker Solomon "Solo" Turner (Frisco)….Johnson, rated the No. 21 all-purpose back in the nation by 247Sports, hails from Allen High School, where Graham once coached to great success.
Graham says: "Jordan's from a place I used to be the head coach. He's dynamic, big-play running back. Coming from one of the best programs in the state and in the country, he knows what it takes to win. Solomon is a guy who really fits in here. He's a young man with great character who comes from a great family. That's the same with Colby. He comes from a great family. We really like his versatility to play both corner and safety."
Polynesian Pride: UH stuck with its Polynesian roots with the signing of
Sonny Semeatu, who hails from American Samoa but who has spent the last 10 years in Hawai'i while starring for Mililani High School…Semeatu is an all-league linebacker who helped spearhead a Mililani defense in 2019 that held eight of its opponents under seven points, including five shutouts…he's rated as the No. 11 prospect in the state of Hawai'i by ESPN.
Graham says: "This guy loves Hawai'i. When we recruit, we want people who love this place and who want to be part of our culture. Sonny exemplifies that. He's gonna be a great football player for us and he's from right here in Hawai'i."
Experience Counts: UH signed three transfers who look to make an immediate impression with collegiate experience already under their belt…
Kolby Wyatt comes from national power Georgia and looks to revive a position long-dormant in the UH offense – the tight end…Baylor transfer Turner shores up the linebacker corp, while joining fellow Prestonwood Christian School alum and current Rainbow Warriors
Dayton Toney and
Riley Wilson…Burton joins the defensive backfield after a stellar career at FCS school McNeese State where he was an all-Southland Conference first-team selection at cornerback.
Graham says: "Kolby is the first tight end we'll have on our roster. So we're excited about that, as is he. We feel really good about Kolby and we think we got a great one there. Solomon is a guy who really fits that safety/linebacker position for us as a blitzer. Colby is a ball hawk and a guy who is really physical. We want to get more physical in the secondary and he provides us with that. He'll help us big time."
The Linebackers Just Got Stronger: Three of UH's seven signees are linebackers… aside from Turner and Semeatu, the Rainbow Warriors also inked
Joshua Bertholotte, a preseason all-state pick and Top 50 recruit out of New Orleans, La…the trio bolsters a unit that already features first-team all-Mountain West selection Darius Mausau, as well as standouts
Penei Pavihi and
Isaiah Tufaga.
Graham says: "These guys are explosive blitzers. They're very dynamic as far as pressuring and attacking since we want guys who can impact the quarterback."
Bayou 'Bows: UH signed a pair players from New Orleans in Bertholotte, as well as defensive lineman
Tariq Jones...Jones is listed as one of the top 25 players out of Louisiana according to Rivals.com and helped lead McDonogh 35 High School to the 3A state semifinals in 2019.
Graham says: "I have close ties to Louisiana, and everyone I've got from there has always played and has done a great job for us. Joshua is from Laundry Walker, a school I've gotten a bunch of players over the years. He's a special player. What really sticks out is his blitz ability. Tariq will be an edge rusher for us. He's a physical specimen and played in a great league. He's a great student and gives us someone who can impact the quarterback."
2021 Early Signing Period Class
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