Chad Lopati commits to the Warriors!

About her son Chad's commitment to the Warriors, Paepaefoa Saili said:
"He's very happy (about the decision)." (HA)

HA Note: "In committing to UH, Lopati is turning down offers from UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, Michigan State, Brigham Young, Utah, Boise State and Fresno State."

About another school that came a long distance to recruit Chad, Kapolei coach Darren Hernandex said:
"Even Auburn came down." (HA)

Hernandez said that Lopati is:
"a real local boy. He loves Hawai'i." (HA)

HA Note: "Hernandez said Lopati's uncle — former UH running back Keith "Junior" Lopati — was influential in the decision. Hernandez said he sees similarities between Lopati and former UH defensive lineman Falaniko "Niko" Noga. Hernandez and Noga's brother, Al Noga, were UH teammates."

Comparing Lopati to Niko Noga, Hernandez said:
"I know Niko Noga. This might be real high praise, but I would have to compare (Lopati) to Niko Noga. He has similar explosiveness, and a lot of natural strength and agility." (HA)

About how Lopati is also used as a TE, short-yardage RB, and punts and place-kicks, Hernandez said:
"He can play every position. He can throw the football, too." (HA)

HA Note: "As a sophomore in 2006, Lopati was 6 feet 1 and 210 pounds."

About recognizing Lopati's talent right away, Hernandez said:
"We knew early on he was one of the fastest on the team. We knew he had Division I talent. He had a tremendous year for us." (HA)

HA Note: "Last year, at 6 feet 2 and 235 pounds, Lopati played defensive end, finishing with 12 sacks and 14 tackles for losses. This season, Lopati suffered a torn meniscus in a non-league game against Kamehameha. He missed three games. But he still finished with 12 sacks in six games. Lopati, who now weighs 245 pounds, can bench press 365 pounds and squat 495."

About how Lopati was timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40 yard dash at a combine at Baylor, Hernandez said:
"He was running rings around the o-linemen,. He was unblockable. ... For his size, he's really fast. He's athletic, too." (HA)

About how Lopati went against Stan Hasiak (who has committed to UCLA) in practice, Hernandez said:
"The only guy Stan had a hard time blocking was Chad, and they said, 'Who's this guy?' " (HA)

Asked to describe her son, Saili said:
"Humble. He's very big, but he's very humble. He cares about others." (HA)

Asked to describe Lopati, Hernandez said:
"He is very humble. When he was getting all of those offers, he looked at me and raised one of his eyebrows: 'These schools really want me?' I said, 'Yes, Chad, you're doing great.' He said, 'Wow.' He's a super soft-spoken, nice kid. I know everybody says that, but he really is that. He really is a nice kid. He's very unassuming. He mixes well with his classmates. You'd never look at him and think he's the star of the team. He is humble." (HA)

Hernandez said that Lopati is projected to play MLB at UH:
"because of his size and speed. But he can play outside 'backer, too. He can play all of the linebacker positions." (HA)