Former Georgia Tech safety Brandon Leslie signed with the Warriors

About signing Brandon Leslie with the scholarship that they saved in case a top recruit became available after NLI day, Mack said:
"Every year, we try to save one scholarship in case a top (prospect) becomes available." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Among the late signings at those schools, according to McMackin, were now All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens and receiver Wes Welker of the New England Patriots."


About signing with UH after NLI day, Leslie said:
"I did my research, and I decided to sign with Hawaii." (HSA)


HSA Note: "As a senior at Fresno's Edison High in 2008, Leslie signed with Georgia Tech, turning down offers from Stanford, Washington and Nebraska. Leslie redshirted that year, and then played in 2009 under Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator."


About his time at Georgia Tech, Leslie said:
"I had good relationships there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "But Leslie left to help care for his father, who was ill. He decided to remain in Central California, enrolling at the College of the Sequoias."


About picking UH over Arizona, Iowa State and Nevada, Leslie (who said he was a Warriors fan "since high school") said:
"I like the program, and I like the coaches." (HSA)


About how he visited his Aunt (who lived in Hawaii for 8 years) a few years ago and went island-hopping, Leslie said:
"I love everything about Hawaii." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Leslie said he will enroll at UH in June, and have two years to play two seasons."


About the 6'1", 208-pound Leslie, Mack said:
"I like his size and his speed and his ability. What I really like is he's a good person. We did our homework. We talked to a lot of people. We talked to high school coaches and his JC coach. We know Paul Johnson. Everybody says he's a great person." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The initial plan was to move John Hardy-Tuliau, who played quarter (nickel back) as a true freshman in 2010, to safety. With Leslie's commitment, Hardy-Tuliau will instead shift to cornerback. Last year's starting cornerbacks, Lametrius Davis and Jeramy Bryant, completed their UH eligibility after the 2010 Hawaii Bowl. Hardy-Tuliau, Tank Hopkins and Mike Edwards, who played at Tennessee in 2009, are expected to be the top three cornerbacks. In several of UH's defensive schemes, three cornerbacks are employed."


About how Leslie gives UH options in the secondary, Mack said:
"On paper, there are a lot of different things we can do now." (HSA)


About himself, Leslie (whose nicknames are Taz and B-Les) said:
"I'm adventurous. I like to try different things." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20110216_UH_signs_former_Georgia_Tech_safety.html