Tavita Woodard, Promise Amadi, Justin Vele, and Kendrick Van Ackeren commit to the Warriors!

» Kendrick Van Ackeren, a safety from Bellevue High who was named the Seattle Times' 3A Washington state defensive player of the year,

» Chinedu Amadi, a slotback from Chino (Calif.) High who goes by his middle name, Promise, and

» Justin Vele, an all-state linebacker from Farrington High. Vele told the coaches he made a "soft commitment," and will solidify it Feb. 2, the first day recruits can sign national letters of intent.

Van Ackeren's commitment came a week after his visit. The other three players' commitments came at the completion of their UH recruiting trips.
About why he wants to play for UH, Tavita Woodard said:
"I wanted to come back home, basically, and be with the family." (HSA)

Note: DE/LB Woodard went to Kahuku as a freshman before transferring to McKinley and played for Eastern Arizona this year.  He said that he's 6'4" and 255 pounds, runs the 40 in 4.64 seconds, has a bench press max of 335 pounds and can bench 225 pounds 25 times. He redshirted at Eastern Arizona and then played for them in 2010 (7.5 sacks), so he has 3 years to play 3 seasons for UH.


About turning down offers from Nebraska, Kansas State, Iowa State, Nevada, Central Florida, and Bowling Green, Woodard said:
"I'm happy to come back home after two years away." (HSA)


About how he'll get his associate's degree at the end of this semester, Woodard said:
"I'll be there in May." (HSA)


About how he decided to go to UH, Kendrick Van Ackeren said:
"I decided to make my decision. I'm going to Hawaii." (HSA)

"I felt like Hawaii is the right place to be. The coaches were great. The players were awesome. I like the school and everything about it." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Van Ackeren said he had offers from UCLA and Idaho. Van Ackeren said he is 6-1 and 205 pounds. He can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, and bench press 270 pounds. He is projected to compete at weak-side linebacker at UH."


About switching from his commit to NMSU last week, 5'10", 185-pound Promise Amadi (who runs the 40 in 4.55 seconds) said:
"Coach Mack made a good impression on me. I'd love to play for him and Coach Rolo (offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich)." (HSA)

"I like the system a lot. And I like the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some great Hawaii players." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Amadi is a senior at Chino High, which is former UH slotback Greg Salas' alma mater. Amadi said he will compete at slotback for the Warriors."


About his recruiting trip to UH, 6'1", 230-pound Justin Vele (who was OIA East Defensive Player of the Year and received offers from Washington, Colorado, and SDSU) said:
"I'm from here, so it was nice to experience the aloha spirit." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Vele said he "grew up with the Warriors," and that he is related to several former UH players. Among his relatives are Vince Manuwai of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wayne Hunter of the New York Jets."


About how he constantly writes and wants to pursue a career in journalism, Vele said that the topic for his next story will be:
"The (recruiting) trip." (HSA)


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