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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 5, 2009

Three go 'down to the wire'

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Stan Hasiak

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Wade Keli'ikipi

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chad Lopati

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The University of Hawai'i football team lost out on one verbal commitment and preserved another at the last minute yesterday, while highly regarded offensive line prospect Stan Hasiak of Kapolei High School went full circle on his commitment to play for UCLA.

In a swirl of 11th-hour decisions, Hasiak, Wai'anae defensive lineman Wade Keli'ikipi and Kapolei linebacker Chad Lopati added more drama to yesterday's Signing Day ceremony at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall that already was brimming with excitement surrounding the decision of Punahou linebacker Manti Te'o.

Keli'ikipi had made a verbal commitment in November to play for UH, where his brother, West, was a standout running back earlier this decade. But Keli'ikipi said Oregon came back into the picture about two weeks ago and he visited its campus in Eugene last weekend.

He gave the Ducks a verbal commitment after returning from the visit.

"They had been sending me mail, and I figured it's a good opportunity for me to be a man, to move away from my family and not depend on my parents," Keli'ikipi said.

Keli'ikipi said after committing to Oregon, he informed Hawai'i coach Greg McMackin of his reversal.

"I asked him if he could apply my scholarship to someone else," said Keli'ikipi, who signed his national letter of intent yesterday. "He was understanding. He said he was proud of me for making my own decision. He respected my decision."

Lopati also had made a verbal commitment to UH in November, but Oregon State made a late push through assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh — a former Hawai'i offensive line coach — and defensive coordinator Mark Banker.

But after much deliberation with family, Lopati stuck with his commitment to UH and signed yesterday.

"I decided at about 2 o'clock (in the morning)," Lopati said. "I was thinking about it a lot and I talked with my parents, my aunties and uncles. I decided it's best to stay home and play in front of my family and friends, and for the whole state of Hawai'i."

Hasiak, regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line prospects, made a verbal commitment to UCLA in October after a visit to the Bruins' campus in Los Angeles. But it was his first recruiting trip, and he later visited the University of California and eventually changed his commitment to Cal.

But UCLA remained in the picture and Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said Monday that Hasiak's final decision "will go down to the wire."

Hasiak told The Advertiser he decided on UCLA on Tuesday. He signed his letter of intent yesterday.

"I think the 'gut choice' is usually the right choice," Hasiak said. "I just felt better going to UCLA."

COLLEGE BOUND

Some notable high school football players and where they are headed (see other list for players who signed with UH):

Jray Galeai (Kahuku) — Brigham Young.

Nate Hall (Leilehua) — Air Force.

Stan Hasiak (Kapolei) — UCLA.

Dalton Hilliard (Punahou) — UCLA.

Brad Iaulualo (Leilehua) — Montana Western .

Isaiah Iuta (Farrington) — Arizona Western.

Elliot Kastner (Hawai'i Prep) — Dartmouth.

Wade Keli'ikipi (Wai'anae) — Oregon.

Kimo Makaula (Punahou) — Washington.

Kela Marciel ('Iolani) — Weber State.

Trendt Marsom (Kaimuki) — Wyoming.

Siasau Matagiese (Waimea) — Portland State.

Bijon Mostoufi (Kaiser) — Weber State.

Mika Nickel (Hawai'i Prep) — Utah State.

Kalua Noa (Kaiser) — Portland State.

Cyril Ontai III (Kapolei) — Navy.

Shawn Reed (Kalaheo) — Navy.

Jordon Pu'u Robinson (Baldwin) — Washington State.

Shawn Reed (Kalaheo) — Navy.

Mana Rosa (Baldwin) — Oregon State.

Adam Sagapolutele White (Saint Louis) — Weber State.

Kapua Sai (Saint Louis) — Utah.

Conrad Scheidt (Wai'anae) — Idaho.

Luke Spencer (Kapolei) — Arizona Western.

Manti Te'o (Punahou) — Notre Dame.

Semisi Tokolahi (Hilo) — Washington.

Hunter Thomson (Waialua) — Weber State.

Tytan Timoteo (Saint Louis) — Weber State.

Anthony Tuitele (Damien) — Valley City (S.D.) State.

Simione Vehikite (Kapolei) — USC.

Austin Wakinekona (Saint Louis) — St. Anselm (N.H.).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.