Quotes from Mack's press conference about the recruits

Proud of the work they all did to assemble their recruiting class, Mack said:
"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. 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." (UH)

UH Note: "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."

About getting 8 high school players from Hawaii to play for UH, Mack said:
"I'm very proud and honored that we were able to keep some of the top athletes from Hawai`i to stay home. 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." (UH)

About focusing on their needs of WR, QB, and DB, Mack said:
"We were also able to address our immediate needs. 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." (UH)

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

UH Note: "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 Culver City, 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"

About Greg Alexander, Mack said:
"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 to- rated junior college quarterbacks in the country. We're very fortunate to have him with us." (UH)

About Craig Bell, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Chris Black, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Dustin Blount, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Jeremy Bryant, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Steve Christian, Mack said:
"Steve's a good, young player who was very productive in high school. He'll have a great future as a Warrior." (UH)

About Haku Correa, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Paipai Falemalu, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Geordon Hanohano, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Ryan Henry, Mack said:
"Ryan's an excellent receiver with great speed and quickness. He returns kickoffs and punts, has excellent vision and makes tacklers miss." (UH)

About Jake Heun, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Kainoa LaCount, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Art Laurel, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Brent Rausch, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Steve Stepter, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Earvin Sione, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Alema Tachibana, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Jovonte Taylor, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Mike Tinoco, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Christian Vasconcellos, Mack said:
"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." (UH)

About Lewis Walker, Mack said:
"Another young top cornerback nationally. Has the ability to be a playmaker on defense and is a very physical player." (UH)