Leroy Lutu Jr. is switching from UH's basketball team to UH's football team

HSA Note: "Leroy Lutu Jr., a walk-on junior guard with the Hawaii men's basketball team, has decided to take his talents across the UH athletics complex to play for the Warriors football team as a safety. Secondary coach Rich Miano said yesterday that Lutu Jr., the son of former University High and Washington Huskies standout Leroy Lutu, will redshirt this season once he arrives on campus for the start of the fall semester later this month."


About how he and his family thought that football was best for him, Leroy Lutu Jr. said:
"My family and I thought football was the right choice for my future. I enjoyed playing basketball at UH, but I'm excited for what may lie ahead in football." (HSA)


Excited about having Lutu Jr. on their team for 2 years after his redshirt season, Rich Miano said:
"We're extremely excited about his athleticism, his bloodline, his potential. We're very excited that Coach Arnold allowed that to happen. You look at his vertical jump, close to 40 inches, and you look at his size ... he's a prototype NFL type of safety. We have a hard time finding guys that big, strong, fast." (HSA)


HSA Note: 'Miano added it's to be determined whether Lutu will play free or strong safety, or even linebacker if he got bigger. Safeties Spencer Smith and Mana Silva are seniors, leaving a hole that Lutu could potentially fill."


About how Lutu Jr. will have a chance to compete for a starting spot and a scholarship by next year, Miano said:
"If he can learn the system in a year, he'll have a chance to compete for a job, and a scholarship, by next year." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Lutu Jr. was a two-sport player at Mercer Island, and, as a defensive back, he got more Division I recruiting looks than in basketball. But he chose to play hoops, his first love, as a walk-on for his first two years at UH under Bob Nash. As a sophomore, he averaged 1.9 points in 7.7 minutes per game. However, he closed the season strong with career-high efforts of 12 points in each of the last two games."


About how Lutu Jr. had a spot on his basketball team if he had wanted it, new UH basketball coach Gib Arnold said:
"He thought his best chance to be successful at the collegiate level would be in football. And I support him in that. I would have loved to have him with us, but in the same breath, if he can help the football team, that's great. Same school, same colors. I hope he can go on and have a great career. ... I'll be one of his biggest fans." (HSA)


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