HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head football coach Timmy Chang announced the signing of 14 prospects for the Class of 2025 during the early signing period.
 
The 2025 class includes…

• 10 high school prospects and four junior college transfers
• Seven signees on the defensive side of the ball and seven on offense
• Seven signees from the hometown state of Hawai'i
• Three signees played at Nevada high schools, including two from national champion Bishop Gorman HS

 
Made in Hawai'i: Seven signees are from the state of Hawai'i, including Top 25 prospects WR Kainoa Carvalho (Kahuku HS; Lā'ie, O'ahu), WR Titan Lacaden (Saint Louis; Kapolei, O'ahu), LB Zaden Mariteragi (Farringon HS; Kahuku, O'ahu), LB Aisiah Paogofie (Campbell HS; Wai'anae, O'ahu), and OL Jordan Kernaghan (Campbell HS; 'Ewa Beach, Calif.). In addition, OL Kawika "KJ" Hallums was raised in 'Aiea, O'ahu but spent his junior and senior years at Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High while Honolulu native WR Brandon Gaea transferred from Bishop Gorman midseason and finished his prep career at Mililani High. Lacaden was KHON2's Cover2 Offensive Player of the Year from state open champion Saint Louis. Carvalho was the consensus state player of the year in 2021 and returns home after serving a two-year church mission following his graduation in 2023. Mariteragi and Paogofie were top 5 linebackers in the state at Farrington and Campbell, respectively.
 
Cornertown: Having lost both starting cornerbacks to graduation, UH went the JUCO route to find their replacements – Zavier Fairley (Pearl River CC), Elijah Gipson (Glendale CC), and TJ Jones (Blinn College). Fairley was the ninth-ranked JUCO corner at Pearl River CC in Mississippi. Gipson, who started his collegiate career at Portland State before playing one season at Glendale CC in southern California, was a track star in high school. Jones played one season at Blinn College in Texas and anchored a defense that allowed only 142 passing yards per game.
 
All in the Family: QB Jarret "JJ" Nielsen is cousins with a pair of former UH quarterbacks (Corey and Casey) and his sister (Jadyn) played softball for the Rainbow Wahine. The 17^th-ranked quarterback in the state of California totaled over 5,000 passing yards and 45 touchdowns in two seasons at Long Beach Jordan High while also rushing for nearly 1,500 career yards and 16 touchdowns. S Julian "Juju" Smith, the younger brother of current Rainbow Warrior linebacker Jalen Smith, played two seasons at Bakersfield College and totaled 114 tackles in 22 career games.
 
Trench Dawgs: UH's pipeline to American Samoa continues with the signing of DL Falelua Moalele, who finished his prep career in Las Vegas at Liberty High. Moalele prepped at Tafuna High in A.S., where he was named an all-star as a junior. OL Uluaki Taukiuvea, the No. 2-ranked athlete in the state of Utah, played multiple positions throughout his career at Hunter High, including quarterback, tight end, and defensive end, the latter of which he totaled five sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss as a senior.

2025 Football Early Period Signing Class 

Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	Hometown (Last School/High School)
Kainoa Carvalho	WR	5-6	165	Lā'ie, O'ahu (Kahuku HS)
Zavier Fairley	CB	6-3	175	Stone County, Miss. (Pearl River CC/Stone HS)
Brandon Gaea	WR	5-11	188	Honolulu, O'ahu (Bishop Gorman HS [Nev.])
Elijah Gipson	CB	5-10	165	Studio City, Calif. (Glendale CC/Oaks Christian HS)
Kawika "KJ" Hallums	OL	6-2	270	'Aiea, O'ahu (Bishop Gorman HS [Nev.])
TJ Jones	CB	6-0	190	Spring, Texas (Blinn Coll./Klein Oak HS)
Jordan Kernaghan	OL	6-3	279	'Ewa Beach, O'ahu (Campbell HS)
Titan Lacaden	WR	5-6	173	Kapolei, O'ahu (Saint Louis School)
Zaden Mariteragi	LB	6-1	219	Kahuku, O'ahu (Farrington HS)
Falelua Moalele	DL	6-5	220	Tafuna, American Samoa (Liberty HS [Nev.])
Jarret "JJ" Nielsen	QB	5-11	210	Cerritos, Calif. (Long Beach Jordan HS)
Aisiah Paogofie	LB	6-1	196	Wai'anae, O'ahu (Campbell HS)
Julian "Juju" Smith	S	6-2	200	Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield Coll./Garces HS)
Uluaki Taukiuvea	OL	6-4	274	West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS)

 
FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY BIOS

Kainoa Carvalho, WR, 5-6, 165, Lā'ie, O'ahu (Kahuku HS)
A 2023 graduate of Kahuku High School … A consensus three-star prospect coming out of high school … Ranked eighth overall in the 2023 class in Hawai'i by 247Sports … The No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the state according to 247Sports … Lined up at receiver, kicker, kick returner and running back for the Red Raiders … As a junior, named the MaxPreps State Player of the Year and KHON's Cover2 Marcus Mariota Award recipient, as well as the Offensive Player of the Year by both the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and ScoringLive … Posted 79 catches for 1,179 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns that year … Also scored five touchdowns on special teams … In a win over OIA runner-up Mililani, he racked up 307 all-purpose yards with 10 catches  for 194 yards and two touchdowns, along with more than 100 return yards … Helped lead Kahuku to back-to-back Open DIvision state championship titles in 2021 and '22 … Played his sophomore season at Skyridge High in Lehi, Utah … Graduated with a 4.0 grade point average … Received the ScoringLIve Distinguished Athlete Award … Served a two-year church mission in Japan following high school career.

Zavier Fairley, CB, 6-3, 175, Stone County, Miss. (Pearl River CC/Stone HS)
A three-star prospect according to On3 … Ranked ninth among all JUCO corners nationally and 69th overall by On3 … Spent three seasons at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss. … Totaled eight pass breakups, 30 tackles and a forced fumble over two seasons on the field … Broke up six passes while forcing a fumble and making 14 tackles as a sophomore in 2024 … An honorable mention all-MACCC selection as a redshirt freshman in 2023 … Recorded 1.5 TFLs while adding a fumble recovery and 16 tackles … Redshirted in 2022 … A 2022 graduate of Stone High School … A Region 8-4A All-District selection as a senior … Totaled 23 tackles, 14 solo, while coming away with an interception, forced fumble and three PBUs … Also a standout in track & field, placing fifth in the state in the long jump as a senior while owning a 100m dash PR of 11.49 seconds.
 
Brandon Gaea, WR, 5-11, 188, Honolulu, O'ahu (Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.))
A consensus three-star prospect … The No. 2-ranked wide receiver and 20th-ranked player overall in Hawai'i in the 247 Composite ratings … Ranked second among wide receivers and eighth overall in Nevada by On3 … Played at Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada from freshman year through the first half of his senior season before transferring to Mililani High School for the second half of his senior season … Appeared in three games with the Trojans in 2024, catching 12 passes for 161 yards and a TD while coming away with an interception on defense … Racked up 555 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 27 receptions while with Bishop Gorman as a senior … Caught 26 passes for 433 yards and three TDs as a junior in 2023 … Averaged 16.7 yards per reception to help Bishop Gorman to a Nevada 5A state title and national championship … Hauled in five touchdown receptions as a sophomore in 2022, finishing with 300 yards receiving and 12 catches, averaging 25.0 yards per catch … Caught passes from current UH quarterback Micah Alejado from his freshman through junior seasons with the Gaels.
 
Elijah Gipson, CB, 5-10, 165, Studio City, Calif. (Glendale CC)
Played one season for Glendale Community College in southern California … Recorded two interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 40 tackles … Returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown, while also making an impact on special teams, blocking both a field-goal attempt and a punt … Named to the all-Pacific League second team … Spent his first two collegiate seasons at Portland State, appearing in one game as a redshirt freshman in 2023 … A 2022 graduate of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif., where he was  all-league and all-county defensive back … As a senior, had 71 tackles, nine interceptions, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Also returned kicks and played receiver … Excelled in track, ranking ninth in California in the 300-meter hurdles and 11th in the 100-meter dash.
 
Kawika "KJ" Hallums, OL, 6-2, 270, 'Aiea, O'ahu (Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.))
A consensus three-star prospect … Ranked 18th overall in Nevada and No. 3 among interior offensive linemen by 247Sports … Invited to play in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl … Played junior and senior seasons at Bishop Gorman High School after spending his first two years of high school at Punahou School … Helped lead Bishop Gorman to a 23-1 record over his two seasons with the Gaels, winning a pair of Nevada 5A state titles … Paved the way for an offense that put up 47.8 points per game while averaging 181.5 rushing yards and 411.8 yards of total offense per game as a senior in 2024 … A part of a 2023 Bishop Gorman team that finished 12-0 and was named the MaxPreps national champions … Helped the Gaels average 49.7 points per game, 183.0 rushing yards and 431.0 yards of total offense as a junior … An honorable mention all-Hawai'i selection by ScoringLive as a sophomore at Punahou … One of the leaders up front for a Punahou team that finished as the Open Division state runner-up … Father is former Rainbow Warrior basketball player Kawika Hallums.
 
TJ Jones, CB, 6-0, 190, Spring, Texas (Blinn College/Klein Oak HS)
Spent one season at Blinn College … Recorded 18 tackles and a PBU while allowing no TDs as a freshman in 2024, appearing in eight games with seven starts … One of the anchors of a Blinn defense that allowed just 142.0 yards per game through the air and 16.8 points per game … A 2024 graduate of Klein Oak High School … A second-team All-District 6A-15 selection as a junior in 2022 … Recorded 45 tackles with a pair of pass breakups and a tackle-for-loss … Made at least five tackles in five games, highlighted by a season-high 10 in a game against Klein HS … Picked off a pair of passes as a sophomore in 2021, helping Klein Oak to a state 6A state playoff appearance.
 
Jordan Kernaghan, OL, 6-3, 279, 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu (Campbell HS)
A consensus three-star prospect … Ranked No. 19 overall in Hawai'i and fourth among interior offensive linemen in the state by 247 Sports … The 20th-ranked player in the state according to On3 … Led a Campbell offensive line that helped the Sabers put up 41.9 points per game and 395.3 yards of total offense per contest as a senior … Helped lead the Sabers to an HHSAA Open Division semifinal appearance … Provided protection for a Campbell passing attack that averaged 333.5 yards per game … Paved the way for a Campbell offense that put up 38.2 points per game as a junior in 2023 … Helped the Sabers average 402.4 yards of offense per game on the way to a state Open Division semifinal appearance.
 
Titan Lacaden, WR, 5-6, 173, Kapolei, O'ahu (Saint Louis School)
A consensus three-star prospect … Ranked No. 19 overall in Hawai'i according to On3 … The top-ranked wide receiver in the state according to On3 and the No. 2 receiver by 247Sports … Selected to play in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl ... Finished high school career with 3,199 yards from scrimmage and 34 total touchdowns … Named KHON2's Cover2 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 … Helped lead Saint Louis to an HHSAA Open Division state title as a senior … Used primarily as a running back down the stretch, finishing the season with 925 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per carry … Also caught 28 passes for 284 yards and three TDs … Averaged 102.8 rushing yards per game, eclipsing the 100-yard mark five times with a pair of 200-yard games … Ran for 371 yards and five touchdowns in the two state playoff games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry … Racked up 155 yards and a pair of TDs on the ground in the state title game win … A first-team all-Hawai'i selection by ScoringLive as a junior in 2023 … Named first-team all-state by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser … Received first-team all-ILH honors … Finished with 1,019 receiving yards and 12 TDs on 84 receptions, averaging 12.1 yards per catch … Went over 100 yards receiving in four games while catching multiple TD passes four times … Earned first-team all-Hawai'i honors from ScoringLive as a sophomore in 2022 … A first-team all-ILH selection after catching 62 passes for 833 yards and five touchdowns.
 
Zaden Mariteragi, LB, 6-1, 219, Kahuku, O'ahu (Farrington HS)
A consensus three-star prospect … The No. 18-ranked player overall in Hawai'i according to On3 … A consensus top-5 linebacker in the state … Ranked 21st overall in the state by 247Sports … Set to join the program in the spring of 2025 … Will graduate at the end of the fall from Farrington High School in Honolulu, O'ahu … Played senior season at Farrington after spending the previous three years at Kahuku High School … An honorable mention all-Hawai'i selection by ScoringLive as a junior … Helped lead Kahuku to a state Open Division title in 2023 … A part of the 2022 Open Division state title Red Raider team as a sophomore in 2022 … Handled primary place kicking duties in addition to playing defense, connecting on a pair of field goals and 31 PATs … Son of former Rainbow Warrior defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea (2006-09).
 
Falelua Moalele, DL, 6-5, 220, Tafuna, American Samoa (Liberty HS [Nev.])
Spent freshman through junior seasons at Tafuna High School in American Samoa before finishing high school career at Liberty High School in Las Vegas … Named an American Samoa All-Star by Junior Prep Sports as a junior in 2023 … Selected to play in the 2023 Samoa Bowl … Helped lead Tafuna to three consecutive American Samoa titles from 2021-23 … Recorded a half sack in the 2023 championship game, a 44-20 win over Leone.
 
Jarret "JJ" Nielsen, QB, 5-11, 210, Cerritos, Calif. (Long Beach Jordan HS)
The No. 17-ranked quarterback in California according to On3 … Ranked 21st among quarterbacks in California in the 247 Composite Rankings … A consensus three-star prospect … Will join the program in the spring of 2025 … A fall 2024 graduate of Long Beach Jordan High School in Long Beach, Calif. … Captain of the football team … Totaled 5,041 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns over two seasons at Long Beach Jordan … Registered 1,489 career yards on the ground to go along with 16 rushing touchdowns … An all-CIF Southern Section selection and first-team all-Moore League honoree as a junior in 2023 … Threw for 3,411 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 783 yards and eight touchdowns … Set a Moore League single-season record with his 4,194 yards of total offense … Completed 67 percent of his passes for 310.1 yards per game while averaging 11.9 yards per rush … Turned in five 300-yard passing games in 2023, including two 500-yard performances, while rushing for 100 yards three times … Set a Moore League single-game passing record, throwing for 576 yards in a season-opening win over North Torrance … A second-team all-Moore League selection as a sophomore … Threw for 1,630 yards and 16 TDs while rushing for 706 yards and eight scores in 2022 … Also a standout in baseball … An all-CIF Southern Section baseball honoree as a junior in 2024 … Will join the Rainbow Warrior baseball team in the spring … Cousins are former UH quarterbacks, Corey and Casey Nielsen … Sister, Jadyn, is a former UH softball player … Chose Hawai'i over Colorado State, San Jose State, South Alabama, Texas State and Washington.
 
Aisiah Paogofie, LB, 6-1, 196, Waianae, O'ahu (Campbell HS)
A consensus three-star prospect … The No. 18-ranked player overall in Hawai'i according to On3 … Ranked third among linebackers in the state according to the 247 Composite rankings … Helped lead Campbell to a state Open Division semifinal appearance as a senior in 2024 … Recorded 34 tackles and five pass breakups while coming away with a pick-six in a win over Farrington on Sept. 14 … An honorable mention all-Hawai'i selection by ScoringLive as a junior … One of the defensive leaders for a Campbell team that advanced to the state Open Division semifinals … Finished the year with a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a TD, 28 tackles, a sack and two TFLs … Totaled 20 total tackles as a sophomore including two tackles-for-loss … Registered four interceptions and five pass defenses … Also recovered two fumbles for a total of 45 yards.
 
Julian "Juju" Smith, S, 6-2, 200, Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield College/Garces HS)
Played two seasons at Bakersfield College … Totaled 114 tackles, 88 solo, over 22 career games with an interception and three TFLs … Recorded 59 tackles with three TFLs, an interception, fumble recovery and nine PBUs as a sophomore in 2024 … Made a career-high 12 stops while breaking up three passes in his final game at Bakersfield College … Came away with an interception, fumble recovery and TFL in a Nov. 2 win over Ventura … Finished freshman season with 55 tackles, 44 solo … Recorded five or more tackles in six games, highlighted by a 12-tackle performance in a game at Ventura … A 2023 graduate of Garces High School in Bakersfield, Calif. … A four-year letterwinner who played on both sides of the ball, seeing action at both safety and receiver ... Recorded 47 tackles while coming away with an interception and forced fumble as a senior in 2022 … Caught three touchdown passes, finishing with 18 receptions for 183 yards … Made 40 tackles, three for loss, as a junior in 2021 while hauling in a pair of TD receptions on 18 catches for 265 yards … Finished with 16 tackles and a PBU as a sophomore while also throwing three TD passes in spot duty at quarterback … Brother is current Rainbow Warrior linebacker Jalen Smith.
 
Uluaki Taukiuvea, OL, 6-4, 274, West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS)
A consensus three-star prospect … The No. 21-ranked player overall in Utah according to both On3 and the 247 Composite ratings … Ranked the No. 2 athlete in the state by 247 Sports … Played multiple positions throughout high school career, including quarterback, tight end and defensive end … Totaled five sacks and 10 TFLs as a senior in 2024, adding 39 tackles while forcing and recovering a fumble … Also added two TD receptions as a tight end while throwing a touchdown pass in spot duty at quarterback … Threw for 863 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for two more as a junior in 2023 … Also a standout in basketball … Averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a junior, shooting 55 percent from the field.