Scout.com/PIAA Hawaii High School Combine Recap

With coaches from Tennessee, Washington, Utah, UNLV, San Diego State, Oregon State, BYU and others in attendance (including new Ohio Head Coach Frank Solich), over 120 high school players from all throughout the Hawaiian Islands participated in the Scout.com/PIAA Hawaii High School Combine at the Saint Louis School in Honolulu Saturday morning. And since Hawaii is known for producing their share of linemen, it's not a surprise the big guys took center stage.

The one player that immediately turned heads was Miliani OL Micah Kia. The younger brother of Hawaii signee Aaron Kia, the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Kia performed well in testing, running a 5.4 40 and also showed dexterity and feel during the offensive linemen workout at the end of the combine. Not only that, but Micah will also be a full qualifier. Utah has already offered Micah and many, many more are expected to jump right the Kia sweepstakes.

Farrington lineman Whitley Fehoko doesn't pass the look test like Kia does, but the 6-foot-1.5, 315-pound Fehoko passes every other test you can throw his way. Fehoko, who repped 185 pounds 45 times easily in an earlier combine, went off on Saturday. He moved up in weight and repped 225 pounds 24 times to go along with a 5.66 40. USC, Utah, Tennessee, Washington and Colorado are showing plenty of interest in Fehoko.

Here are some other linemen that had solid workouts on Saturday:

OL/DL Vuni Funaki McKinley 6-foot-3, 295 pounds
OL/DL Eddie Williams Damien 6-foot-1, 275 pounds
OL Sione Tau (2007) Damien 6-foot-6, 305 pounds
DL Aaron Azevedo Waiakea 6-foot-2, 300 pounds
DL Kawika Shook Kamehameha 6-foot-3, 260 pounds
DL Kamalu Umu Saint Louis 6-foot-3, 270 pounds
DE Roland Foumai Aiea 6-foot-3, 235 pounds
DE Justin Hunt Aiea 6-foot-1, 220 pounds
DE/TE Tanner Feuti Farrington 6-foot-3, 245 pounds

The surprises came at the skill positions, where there were a number of players that showed they have the athleticism and ethic to play D1. Ryan Burciaga from Radford stood out as a great athlete, runing a 4.70 40, but the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Burciaga will be Fred Salanoa's quarterback this fall. Don't be surprised to see Ryan playing linebacker in college.

The linebackers were led by two Saint Louis kids - Jacob Barit and Jared Silva. Barit is built more like a middle linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, whereas Silva - with his 4.72 40 - has either WIL or SAM written all over him. And depending on how he grows, he could even end up as a punishing fullback in somebody's college offense.

Radford LB/DE Russell Wantowski is nuring a sore hamstring, so he did not time a 40. But he did work out during the rest of the day and showed why the Pac-10 is very interested in his skills as a linebacker and quick rush end.

Here are some other linebackers and running backs that definitely caught our eye:
RB Stanford Leti Moanalua 6-foot, 190 pounds
RB Devan Essner (2007) Saint Louis 5-foot-7, 150 pounds
RB Alex Daniels Radford 5-foot-7, 160 pounds
LB Lauton Atisanoe Kailua 6-foot, 190 pounds
LB Lolomana Mikaele Damien 6-foot, 250 pounds
LB Mana Lolotai Kamehameha 6-foot, 215 pounds
LB Baden Storaasli Damien 6-foot, 190 pounds
LB Vaovasa Kuresa Radford 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

There were plenty of athletes playing at the receiver and defensive back positions, including players with speed. Lihikai Domingo, a 5-foot-8, 150 pound DB from Castle and Suaesi Tuimaunei, a 6-foot, 185 pound DB from powerhouse Kahuku, shared top honors Saturday for the top 40 time of 4.52 on the field turf at the Saint Louis School.

The receiving corps was led by a couple of taller, rangy WR's in Jason Evans from Kahuku (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) and Alika Kalopedes from Castle (6-foot-2.5, 190 pounds). Both players ran under 4.8 in the forty and were consistent in their pass-catching skills and route running.

Here are the other skill players that performed well at the combine:
DB Stephen Lei Saint Louis 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
DB Trevor Maldon Radford 5-foot-8, 160 pounds
SS Kaleo Spallone Kahuku 6-foot, 190 pounds
WR Joe Iosefa Leilehua 5-foot-11, 165 pounds


Last, but certainly not least, are the quarterbacks. We give them final mention because this is a position where scouts are looking toward the future. Kahuku QB Jason Kahawaii was the only 2006 prospect of note here, but there are two 2007 prospects that will definitely get everyone's attention this fall.

Mid-Pacific's Bryson Beirne, at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, is a player with the athleticism required to handle multiple positions. He could very easily be a safety or linebacker at the next level, but spun it well Saturday and showed a strong arm. Leilehua's Bryant Moniz also stood out as a rising junior. He's smaller than Beirne (5-foot-10 and 170 pounds), but is a fierce competitor and can make all the throws. People on the islands are already comparing Moniz to another former Island great - former Washington State QB Jason Gesser.