Football
Football players test their skills at PIAA combine


 



Finals may be over for most high school students, but for some 300 football players there were more tests Saturday at Kamehameha-Kapalama.

The 14th annual Under Armour-PIAA (Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance) Combine tested athletes in various drills and measurements to make available to college football programs across the country.

"It's a good way to showcase all of our talents," Mililani senior-to-be Kalakaua Timoteo said. "I'm glad that we have the opportunity to be out here and all of our scores get sent down to all of the colleges."

 Timoteo, an All-Hawaii receiver, was at his second combine. The experience he picked up at last year's combine helped.

"I have more a better feel," he said. "When I trained, I knew what to train for."

Timoteo, who was listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds last season, bench pressed 185 pounds 15 times.

"I was aiming for 20, but I tried my best today," Timoteo said.

Timoteo, who had 56 catches for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns, has verbally committed to the University of Hawaii, but it appears to be a "soft" commit. He also has offers from Washington State, Western New Mexico and Western Arizona, he said.

"I'm still committed (to UH), but if any other schools offer, I'd have to take them into consideration," he said.

There were some players like Kapolei offensive lineman Sean Auwae, who already is on a number of schools' radars. He said he has 15 offers. Among them are Louisville, Texas Tech, Oregon State, Utah and Arizona said.

The 6-5, 300-pound senior-to-be was among the strongest in the bench press. He posted 22 repetitions of 225 pounds.

"This year, I was aiming for 26 and above, but I'm still happy with what I got."

The bench press, he said, is vital for offensive linemen.

"Legs, chest and tri(ceps) are the most important for the offensive line," he said. "You have to get that punch (a blocking technique)."

The combine is especially helpful for Kaiser defensive back Nicolas Tom, who displayed speed and strength. He said he posted a hand-held time of 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times. He has yet to receive an offer for football.

"I'm hoping I do good here, hopefully get recognized," Tom said. "Next week is the GPA camp. Hopefully, I get some looks there."

Tom is referring to the Gridiron Performance Academy's Maximum Exposure camp set for June 5 to 7 at UH. There will be college coaches from around the nation helping with the drills and, obviously, scouting in the process.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].




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