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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Two local recruits unsure of status

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Christian Vasconcellos

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Earvin Sione

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Two University of Hawai'i football recruits are in limbo with the departure of coach June Jones to Southern Methodist.

Damien defensive back Christian Vasconcellos and McKinley quarterback/receiver Earvin Sione had given UH verbal commitments long before Jones' decision to leave UH. Vasconcellos accepted his offer during a UH football camp over the summer, while Sione accepted during the past football season.

"I'm kind of stuck," Vasconcellos said yesterday. "I'm hoping nothing changes for me."

Vasconcellos said UH is the only school to offer him a scholarship. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Vasconcellos was an Advertiser All-State Division II selection.

Sione also is concerned about his status.

"I'm just kind of worried right now if the new coach will accept me," Sione said. "I don't know what I'm up against right now. Hopefully, the new coach will still look at me."

Sione, who is 6-5 and 192 pounds and playing basketball for the Tigers, said he was being projected to play receiver, which he played as an underclassmen before moving to quarterback this past season.

Sione said he also had an offer from Idaho State.

"But I really want to play for Hawai'i," he said.

Both players said they had followed Jones' coaching situation since it was announced he would interview for the SMU position. Both players said they have yet to hear from anyone from UH about the status of their scholarship offer.

Kamehameha all-state offensive lineman Mykenna Ikehara said UH was one of four schools to offer him a football scholarship. The other three are UNLV, San Diego State and Washington. He said he is leaning toward Washington. He will make an official visit to Seattle this weekend. Ikehara said Jones' coaching situation had no bearing on his decision to favor the Huskies.

"Even before this had happened, I had made up my mind," Ikehara said.

The first day that high-school recruits can sign binding letters of intent is Feb. 6.

But for those directly affected, the news of Jones' departure was tough.

"I was just shocked," Sione said. "I was stunned. I was worried if I had my scholarship, if they still wanted me."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.